Late last week on Thursday (Oct. 13), Bob Dylan won the honorable Nobel prize in literature. The news has spawned a media frenzy, as many listicles and think-pieces have already surfaced regarding the win, igniting debates from seemingly everywhere and everyone. The one person who has yet to chime in, though, is Dylan himself.
As it was revealed today (Oct. 17), The Swedish Academy — responsible for choosing the Nobel Laureates in Literature — has decided to stop metaphorically knocking on Dylan’s door. “Right now we are doing nothing,” Sara Danius, the Academy’s permanent secretary, told state radio SR. “I have called and sent emails to his closest collaborator and received very friendly replies. For now, that is certainly enough.”
It remains unclear whether or not Dylan will accept his invitation to Stockholm to officially receive his award. Every Dec. 10, recipients typically attend to be given their award by King Carl XVI Gustaf. Recipients also generally give a speech during the banquet, as well.
“If he doesn’t want to come, he won’t come,” Danius said. “It will be a big party in any case, and the honor belongs to him.” So whether Dylan may be tangled up in other matters or simply chooses to not attend, the celebration of his life’s work will go on with or without him.