The Nobel Foundation has decided to withdraw its earlier decision to invite the ambassadors of Russia, Iran, and Belarus to the Nobel Prize banquet and ceremony in Stockholm this year. The Foundation cited the potential for a strong negative reaction to the decision to invite all ambassadors, given the current political context.
The Foundation emphasized its commitment to spreading the values and messages championed by the Nobel Prize and highlighted that last year's Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to human rights activists from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. In light of the controversy and strong reactions in Sweden surrounding the initial decision.
We recognize the strong reactions in Sweden, which completely overshadowed this message. The board of the Nobel Foundation, therefore, choose to repeat last year’s exception to regular practice – that is, to not invite the ambassadors of Russia, Belarus and Iran to the Nobel Prize award ceremony in Stockholm. As before, all ambassadors will be invited to the ceremony in Oslo.
The laureates for this year will be announced in early October, with the award ceremonies scheduled for December 10th, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death.
