Hello
Gentle Reader
Nobel
week has wrapped up beginning with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine,
and now ending with the Nobel Peace Prize. Thursday was quiet as the Nobel
Prize for Literature was not announced as the prize had been postponed. Earlier
this week Jean-Claude Arnault, learned his fate with regards to his conviction
for sexual assault, and was sentenced to two years in prison. The presiding
judge in this case had choice words for the Swedish Academy, who he blamed for
creating a culture of silence, which forced victims and causalities of Arnault’s
to go unheard; such as in the event of former Permanent Secretary Sture Allen,
disregarding a letter from a accuser back in the nineties. Despite this, the
Swedish Academy has remained silent on the ruling and the choice words issued
from the bench.
Last
week, before Nobel Week was set to begin, the Nobel Foundation once again
expressed uncertainty in its confidence of the Swedish Academy, whereby it
threatened to find another institution to oversee the prize selection,
decision, announcement, and relinquishment to the chosen laureate. Again, the
Swedish Academy remained reticent and silent.
Now
Friday, October 5th the Swedish Academy has broken its silence to
release the news it has elected two new members: the recent Swedish Supreme
Court Justice appointee, Eric M. Runesson and Iranian born writer and poet, Jila
Mossaed.
Justice
Eric Runesson will be formally inducted to Chair No. 1, replacing the former
member Lotta Lotass on December 20th.
Jila
Mossaed will be formally inducted to Chair No. 15, replacing the former member
Kerstin Ekman, who resigned earlier this year and had been inactive with the
Swedish Academy since the late nineteen-eighties.
Both
decisions are being praised. The appointment of Eric Runesson has been seen by
some in literary corners as unconventional, but it should be noted once again:
Chair No. 1 had been conventionally occupied by a lawyer in years past, and
despite the look he does not have any ‘literary,’ background in either theory,
criticism, or publications, the legal field is riddled with a demand for
extensive reading and writing. His experience as both an arbitrator and lawyer
specializing in business law, may certainly prove him to have the ability to
adjudicate, defend, question, negotiate and mediate literary discussions, as
well as participate in them. His experience with legalities will also prove him
to be an asset to the Swedish Academy when handling issues of a conflicting
nature—such as the one that faced the Academy with regards to Katarina
Frostenson operating a business with her husband which received financial
assistance from the Swedish Academy, which she was a member of. His position as
a lawyer and a judge may also allow Justice Eric Runesson to mitigate and
handle scandals internally before they erupt out of control, as witnessed this
past spring. It will be interesting to see if he will act as ambassador to
inactive members, to see if they will consider returning to the Swedish
Academy.
The
appointment of Jila Mossaed, has been met with more conventional praise, but
she is still a unique face to the Swedish Academy. Mossaed left Iran in the
late nineteen-eighties, and entered exile into Sweden. She has published two
novels, six poetry collections in Persian, and another seven collections of
poetry in Swedish. She is a critically acclaimed author and poet. Her induction
will only prove to be able to open the Swedish Academy’s perspective into
Middle Eastern cultures and languages, and most importantly its language.
With
regards to the new elected members, His Majesty King Carl Gustav XVI, has
accepted both nominations and has cleared them to being inducted in a ceremony
on the 20th of December. Following their announcements, his royal
highness had the following statement:
“The
election of two new members is positive. I hope The Swedish Academy will be
given the opportunity to continue rebuilding the trust of the institution and
that the academy can now continue its important work.”
This
is merely once again another step for the Swedish Academy, as it moves towards
rebuilding itself as an institution, and regaining the trust of the public;
while restoring its integrity as a cultural and legitimate adjudicating
authority of cultural and literary achievement. Whether or not this has moved
the Nobel Foundation, is yet unknown.
For
now though, congratulations can only be offered to the two new members: Justice
Eric Runesson and Jila Mossaed. With their elections and eventual inducements
they will allow the Swedish Academy to once again hold a quorum of twelve
members. However there are still many inactive members and vacant seats still
needing to be filled. Demands have once
again been made for Katarina Frostenson to step down and recuse herself from
the academy; on that end, the Swedish Academy has remained bitterly silent.
Thank-you
For Reading Gentle Reader
Take
Care
And
As Always
Stay
Well Read
M.
Mary
For Further
Reading Gentle Reader Please See The Following Links:
The Local Sweden: "Two new members join scandal-ridden Swedish Academy,"
Reuters: "Nobel-awarding Swedish Academy elects new members after rape scandal,"
Business Day: "Nobel literature body elects Iranian poet and Swedish judge,"
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