The Swedish Academy has awarded Bob Dylan, singer-songwriter, the Nobel Prize in Literature. But Dylan will not be able to attend the prize ceremony in Stockholm because of earlier commitments.
The jury chose him for his new poetic expressions inside the great American song tradition. Political, social, philosophical and literary influences have many a times been a part of his writings and lyrics.
Sara Danius, permanent secretary of the academy said they got a personal letter from the singer. He wrote that he was extremely honoured by the recognition.
He also informed the academy about his absence in the ceremony saying “he wishes he could receive the prize personally, but other commitments make it unfortunately impossible.”
The academy said it respects Dylan’s decision but is not sure who will accept the prize in his stead. The academy requires a recipient to give a lecture within six months of the prize ceremony.
This is not the first time that a Noble laureate has not been able to attend the ceremony. Before this many laureates like Doris Lessing, Harold Pinter and Elfriede Jelinek did not come for the prize.
The decision to honour Dylan with the Nobel Prize in Literature has received different responses. Some called it an odd choice and also argued that songwriting is not literature.
Danius compared the singer’s work with ancient Greek writers Homer and Sappho. When Dylan was asked about the comparison he agreed that some of his songs like Blind Willie, The Ballad of Hollis Brown, Joey, A Hard Rain, Hurricane have Homeric value.
Leonard Cohen was Dylan’s songwriter partner and friend. He said that it was not necessary one’s great works be validated by a prize. According to Cohen, the Nobel is similar to fixing a medal on Mount Everest for being the highest mountain.
