The Birdcage: A Shadow Over the Swedish Academy Darkens

Hello Gentle Reader

Gone are the days when I could sit and moan how Bob Dylan had tarnished (if only slightly) the Nobel Prize for literature. After all he was (or is) a, has been, burned out hippie, who brought no real merit or revolution to literature or poetry. He is credited for revolutionizing music, with his folk like lyrics, and blues guitar style. No one of which either concerned or interested me, and nor does any justification, rationalization, or explanation of why he deserved the prize. His name sets my teeth on edge, his award grates my nerves—and these facts are well known, as friends and family, chose opportune moments to bring it up and send me in a rant, only to slink out of the vicinity while rave to myself, like a lunatic. But recent events overshadow Bob Dylan’s Nobel Prize piss off, and even make his award appear like a minor controversy, in comparison to the continual catastrophic crisis which currently assaults the Swedish Academy; the sickening thought is: it is members of the Swedish Academy who publicly assault it; advertently and inadvertently.

Everyday more news comes out with regards to the scandal of the Swedish Academy, and more people are weighing on it. The condemnation, of the Swedish Academy cannot ring clearer, as it is criticized for failing to govern itself with integrity; and how a certain member—Katarina Frostenson—has failed to possess the character, constitution, and dignity to remove herself from the Academy due to her poor conduct, her violation of its statutes, and for not operating in good faith for the Swedish Academy as an institution; and instead chose to benefit herself and her husband Jean-Claude Arnault (who stands accused of vast allegations of sexual misconduct over several years).

So far the crisis has forced three members to publicly resign, with a fourth considering handing in her resignation. The Royal patronage of His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf has also been forced to weigh in on the crisis, where he had an emergency meeting with Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy Sara Danius, over the issues currently plaguing the Academy. The Nobel Foundation (the administrative and financial body of all Nobel Prizes) has also been forced to publicly denounce the conduct of the Swedish Academy, and worries about the damage done to the Nobel Prize for Literature and its reputation, as the members internal squabbling continues to become a public point of discussion.

In response to the resignation of his fellow members, the former Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy, Horace Engdahl, released a public letter to a leading Swedish newspaper, expressing his disgust towards his fellow members—who he called a clique of sore losers; and blames them for the current damage done to the Swedish Academy, and the perilous circumstances it has placed the Nobel Prize for Literature into. Engdahl also goes on to criticize the current Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy, who he accuses of being unable to perform the duties of her position, and has allowed the Academy to split and divide in this matter. Though one only needs to wonder, what his goal was with this letter, if it was an attempt at calming the waters, or to only stoke the raging fires already burning in the furnaces, which only damages the reputation of the Swedish Academy further, which he accuses the three members of doing so prior.

Horace Engdahl’s antics and public criticism of the three members who have publicly resigned, as well as the current Permanent Secretary, have not gone unnoticed. His ex-wife, Ebba Witt-Brattström, a scholar of comparative literature, unleashed a rebuttal against her former husband’s remarks. Ebba Witt-Brattström confesses while they were married (1989-2014) Horace Engdahl often told her, who would receive the Nobel Prize for Literature; but she clarifies he could trust her. This is quite different from the situation of Katarina Frostenson and her husband Jean-Claude Arnault; as the narrative can be painted that husband Jean-Claude Arnault used the information for business and capital purposes within his club, or on the betting sites. Those who will remember, days before the announcement Patrick Modiano shot through the betting sites list with assured fury. Ebba Witt-Brattström believes the Academy is also in an internal crisis between tradition and old ways, and the proposed renovations and modernizations by Sara Danius, have forced a divide between two competing camps within the academy, led by Sara Danius and Horace Engdahl, respectively. One of the defectors from the Swedish Academy, Kjell Espmark, responded to Engdahl’s letter by stating: “There is no honour left in the body of that man.”

In closing, His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf has opened up about amending the provisions of the Academy’s membership, and is entertaining the idea of allowing authors to withdraw from the Swedish Academy, and have their seats filled. As the Royal Patron of this important cultural institution, His Majesty believes he is in not only his right and authority to make the amendment, but it is also the appropriate action at this time. In the event that this amendment was to take place, perhaps Katarina Frostenson will do the only honest and sensible thing she can do: resign from Chair No.18, and allow the Swedish Academy to repair itself and wash the rust and scum she and her husband have forced it into.

Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader

Take Care

And As Always

Stay Well Read

M. Mary

Prior Blog Posts –

Shocking News from The Swedish Academy

Swedish Academy Crisis (Continued)

Horace Engdahl Speaks Out

For Further Reading –