Bob Dylan Writes Speech for Someone Else to Read at Nobel Prize Banquet
Bob Dylan still isn’t accepting his Nobel Prize in person, but he has at least written some original words to mark the occasion.
Instead of accepting the award, Dylan has written a speech that will be read aloud at the Nobel Prize banquet in Stockholm on Dec. 10, per the New York Times. Dylan’s diploma and medal will then be presented to him in private at a later date.
The Swedish Academy — the group that chooses Nobel Literature laureates — said Dylan told them, “He wishes he could receive the prize personally, but other commitments make it unfortunately impossible.”
Also Read: Bob Dylan Acknowledges Nobel Prize Win for Real This Time
The celebrated singer-songwriter was awarded the prize “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.” However, the Swedish Academy had considerable difficulty getting a hold of Dylan.
His only public comments on the prize came in the form of a very brief exchange in a recent interview. “It’s hard to believe,” Dylan said of the win. Dylan also said that when he found out he won he felt “amazing, incredible.”
And what about the rumors that Dylan has refused to take calls from the Nobel Committee as they’ve tried to reach him? “Well, I’m right here,” he said.
Also Read: Bob Dylan Removes Mention of Nobel Prize From His Website
In fact, Dylan has barely acknowledged the fact that he won at all. A line previously appeared on Dylan’s website at the top of the page promoting his book, “Bob Dylan: The Lyrics: 1961-2012.” It simply read, “Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature.” Less than a day later, the line was removed.
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