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What do you do when the Nobel Prize for Literature this year, the most prestigious award in the world, is postponed because of a sexual assault scandal?
You create your own reward.
More than 100 Swedish intellectuals have the Swedish association, which selects the Nobel laureates, has been plunged into crisis because of its long-standing ties with a man accused of assaulting several women
. "Party bias, arrogance and sexism", according to its founders The New Academy, whose members include writers, artists and journalists. It aims to "remind people that literature and culture in general should promote democracy, transparency, empathy and respect, without privilege," wrote the 107 intellectuals in a joint statement.
The #MeToo movement has been making waves globally. The Swedish Academy fell into turmoil last November, when local media published testimonials from 18 women claiming to have been raped, sexually assaulted or harassed by an influential French cultural figure who has long been linked to the fact that they have been harassed. ;institution. The revelations led the Academy to announce in May that there will be no Nobel Prize for literature this year, as disagreements over how to deal with the scandal have sown discord among its 18 members and caused six resignations – including first permanent secretary Sara Danius.
"Open and Inclusive"
But for some, the absence of a Nobel Prize for literature for the first time in nearly 70 years was unacceptable. "… He (Sweden) needs a great literary prize," said Swedish columnist and one of the founders of the new award, Alexandra Pascalidou.
Members of the Swedish Academy were appointed for life before his boss, the Swedish. King Carl XVI Gustaf was forced to change the statutes, which allowed the members to resign and be replaced.
Resigning member Kjell Espmark told the
Dagens Nyheter
the newspaper that the institution had "succumbed to nepotism, tried to camouflage serious violations, corrupted macho values and arrogant intimidation".
Considered the gateway to high culture, the Swedish Academy, founded in 1786, is traditionally known for its integrity and discretion, with meetings and decisions on prices kept secret. But the New Academy intends to make transparent its awarding process.
"We want to create something that is open and inclusive and allows people to contribute," said Pascalidou.
The new literary prize – which carries a prize of one million crowns (about 97,000 euros, $ 1,13,000) from crowdfunding and donations – will be awarded at a ceremony on December 10, the same day as the Nobel Prize
Swedish librarians were invited to nominate up to two authors, with a deadline set at 8 July. Authors who have received the most applications will receive online votes from the public in Sweden and abroad. On the basis of nominations and voting results, a jury will select four authors – two men and two women – and make the final choice.
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