Hello
Gentle Reader
It
is often said: “when you hit rock bottom, someone always tosses you a shovel.” In
the case of the disrupted and disputed Swedish Academy, it comes in the form of
a one hundred and one strong Swedish organization, who calls itself: “The New
Academy.” The dishelmed Swedish Academy, who has been forced to postpone this year’s
Nobel Prize for Literature, due to internal governance issues and concerns
related to: ethics, morality, and integrity; as well as the conduct of a certain
member’s significant other and his predator like sexual advances; has forced
the embroiled and controversy stricken academy into postponing this year’s
Nobel Prize for Literature—the first time in seventy-five years.
The
New Academy is built up on an eclectic group of individuals, from a varied
professional background which includes but is not limited to: librarians,
academics, writers, translators, editors, publishers, journalists and actors;
as well as: comedians, interior designers and musicians. Among its members
include, Swedish punk rock icon and industrial music legend: Joakim Thåström;
as well as actress and screenwriter: Bianca Kronlöf—who also operates as the group’s
spokesperson; television host, columnist and writer: Alexandra Pascalidou; as
well as casual writer, presenter and interior designer: Lulu Carter. As
mentioned: it’s an eclectic group of individuals.
The
New Academy, seeks to fill the void left by the Swedish Academy, when it
(correctly) decided to postpone this year’s Nobel Prize for Literature. The New
Academy, has chosen to award a stand in literary prize in order to solidify the
importance of the literature award, but also chooses to set an example in how
it selects and chooses its writer for their alternative Nobel. Bianca Kronlöf has stated the award is
democratic in conception, and will reflect the public’s tastes, and will be
based on voting and popular appeal.
The
New Academy would not be considered revolutionary (at least in my opinion); but
rather a good dose of counter measure to distract away from a distraught
Swedish Academy, whose remaining members are right now on summer break. This New
Academy (for lack of better terms) has quickly formed through social media—especially
twitter and Facebook—where numerous cultural figures (which includes the above
mentioned professions) shared their ideas, their expertise, and their opinions
on the Nobel Prize for Literature and the Swedish Academy, and have decided to
create their own academy which will operate under democratic processes and
transient conventions. For example, the award is established to allow libraries
in Sweden to nominate their chosen authors by July 8th, at which the
authors listed will be set to a vote internationally, whereupon the public
across the globe will be set to vote on their authors, at which point a
shortlist will be compiled, and a winner selected in October, and a awarding
ceremony taking place on the tenth of December. When it is all said and done
with, this New Academy, will dissolve and start fresh and anew once again. As Bianca
Kronlöf points out, they are not an academy appointed or elected for life, but
rather ever changing, with ever changing perspectives.
Of
course, this ‘alternative award,’ has not been met with praise on every angle. When
it was initially conceived back in May, there were a few hurrahs and a few
cheers; but there were plenty of backlashes on social media as well. Some advised
the original spearhead behind this idea— Alexandra Pascalidou—to create her own
United Nations, in order to create and solve issues regarding world peace;
others accused her of Olympic megalomania. Yet the idea has gathered more
traction, and some more press coverage; though it should not be taken
seriously. At best the entire idea should be seen as good humored satire, as
the entire idea is riddled with administrative errors, populist ideals, and a
sheer disregard for literature in favour of a majority popularity contest.
Now
there is no word from any member of the Swedish Academy—currently presiding or resigned—and
their thoughts on the entire ordeal. I imagine: Horace Engdahl would simply
scoff and call it nonsense and churlishness; Göran Malmqvist might do what he
does best and state the entire idea is stupid and pisses him off, as he storms
off; and Sture Allén will most likely remain impassive on the outside and
strict stone silent on the matter—or disregard it as irrelevant, much like he
did with previous sexual assault allegations, back in the nineties. My advice,
however, would be: stay silent, say nothing, do not react, do not respond, and
do not comment. But then again: I am not a public relations professional, and
therefore my advice carries no weight. Yet to continue expressing caution: any
time one engages with a satirical forum or force with the airs of superior
severe seriousness, you’re bound to make a fool of yourself even further.
For
now though Gentle Reader, all one can do is sit back and watch another take the
piss at the Swedish Academy’s expense. I would feel sorry for them, but it is
difficult to offer sympathies and pity, to individuals who have failed to
operate and govern accordingly, and allowed themselves to become embroiled and
embittered in a scandal worthy of the term.
Thank-you
For Reading Gentle Reader
Take
Care
And
As Always
Stay
Well Read
M.
Mary
For Further
Reading:
The New Academy
Alternative Nobel Prize for Literautre
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