In 2016, in a shocking turn of events the Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to Bob Dylan, a singer-songwriter who had never written a novel, a play or a poem. He was the first musician and the first American since 1993 to receive the prestigious honor. The Swedish Academy praised him for “having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition”.
However, the decision did not sit well with everyone. While many praised him as a genius and a visionary who had transformed American culture, there were others who criticized him as a fraud who had betrayed his roots and his fans. Some critics argued that Dylan did not deserve the prize and that his lyrics were not literature. There was the belief that the academy had snubbed more deserving candidates. Apart from the win, the way Dylan handled being awarded the prize also made way to several controversies.
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Bob Dylan’s Reaction To Nobel Prize
One of the most unusual aspects of Bob Dylan’s Nobel Prize was his silence after the announcement. He did not respond to the academy’s phone calls or emails, nor did he make any public statement about the award. He even performed several concerts without mentioning it. Some speculated that he was snubbing the prize or that he did not care about it.
The academy’s permanent secretary, Sara Danius, said she was not worried and that she hoped he would show up at the award ceremony in Stockholm. Finally, after two weeks, Dylan broke his silence and told a British newspaper that he was “speechless” and “very appreciative” of the prize. He also said he would try to attend the ceremony if possible.
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Dylan Did Not Attend The Ceremony
Another source of controversy was Dylan’s absence from the Nobel Prize ceremony on December 10, 2016. He cited “pre-existing commitments” as the reason for not attending. He sent a letter of thanks, which was read by the US ambassador to Sweden, and a speech, which was delivered by singer Patti Smith, who also performed one of his songs. However, some felt that Dylan had disrespected the academy and the other laureates by not showing up in person.
The academy’s permanent secretary said she respected his decision and that he was still welcome to deliver his Nobel lecture, which is a requirement for receiving the prize money. Dylan eventually delivered his lecture in June 2017, just before the deadline. He recorded a 27-minute speech in which he talked about his influences and his relationship with literature.
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