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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
. "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 should promote democracy, transparency, empathy and respect." Intellectuals 107 wrote in a joint statement
. #MeToo has made waves at the global level, the Swedish Academy fell into turmoil in November when local media published the test. Imonies of 18 women claiming to have been raped, sexually assaulted or harassed by a French cultural personality influential that has long been linked to the 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 sowed discord among his 18 members and prompted six to resign – including the first woman permanent secretary Sara Danius.
But for some l & # 39; absence of a Nobel Prize for Literature for the first time "Sweden is one of the most democratic, transparent and equal countries in the world … it needs a great literary prize", said the Swedish columnist and one of the founders of the new award, Alexandra. Pascalidou, told AFP
– "Open and inclusive" –
The members of the Swedish Academy were appointed for life before his boss, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, was forced to change the statutes, which made it possible.
Resigning member Kjell Espmark told the Dagens Nyheter newspaper that the institution had "given way to nepotism, attempts to conceal serious violations, outdated machismo values and arrogant harassment"
]. As the bearer of high culture, the Swedish Academy, founded in 1786, is traditionally known for its integrity and discretion, with meetings and price decisions kept secret.
But the New Academy plans 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, $ 113,000) in crowdfunding and donations – will be awarded at a ceremony on December 10, the same day as the Nobel banquet.
Swedish librarians were invited to name up to two authors, with a deadline of 8 July. The most nominated candidates will then receive online votes from the public in Sweden and abroad.
Based on the nominations and voting results, a jury composed of editors, teachers of literature, cultural journalists and critics and two women – and make the final choice
The winner, who can come from anywhere in the world and must have published at least one literary work in the last 10 years, will be announced on October 14, in the same
– Skepticism, warnings –
But some Observers are skeptical as to whether the New Academy can compare itself to the history of the Nobel Prize for Literature by recognizing prominent authors, including Ernest Hemingway and Albert Camus. Boris Pasternak, Alice Munro and Doris Lessing, among others.
For Asa Linderborg, editor of the daily Aftonbladet culture, he is "deeply provocative" of the New Academy. To promote moral values and even "the most disturbing ideas", he can become a quality literature.
"The art should be free. You can not label it according to righteousness or evil. The New Academy is after a total purity … a total kindness, "said Mrs. Linderborg to AFP
advising the public, who may not understand very well the languages and books of the different parties of the world, to vote for the author risks diverting the price in favor of literature "predictable and translated into the West"
"Others are indifferent to the initiative"
" They are free to do what they want, "says Per Wastberg, member of the Swedish Academy
The new literary award is the latest award to have been qualified as an alternative to the Nobel, joining the Swedish Right Livelihood Award honoring those who work for the betterment of the planet, and the Millennium Technology Prize of Finland
.
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