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Nobel Lecture

English 10 December 2000 The Case for Literature I have no way of knowing whether it was fate that has pushed me onto this dais but as various lucky coincidences have created this opportunity I may as well call it fate. Putting aside discussion of the existence or non-existence…

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Banquet speech

(English translation) Majesties, Royal Highness, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed today exactly 50 years ago. There is no lack of ceremonial commemorations. The attention fades, you know. When serious matters emerge the public interest starts to diminish, the next day even. I hold nothing against these…

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