The 2016 Nobel Laureate For Literature may be a no show for this year’s ceremony.
The Nobel Prize committee has admitted that it has not heard back from Bob Dylan since he was announced as the winner of this year’s award for literature last week. The Swedish Academy’s permanent secretary, Sara Danius, said the legendary songwriter had not returned their calls or emails.
“Right now we are doing nothing. I have called and sent emails to his closest collaborator and received very friendly replies. For now, that is certainly enough,” she told state radio SR today as The Guardian points out.
The ceremony will be held on December 10, with or without Dylan, with other inductees including Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos for the Peace Prize and pioneering autophagy researcher Yoshinori Ohsumi for his work in medicine.
“If [Dylan] doesn’t want to come, he won’t come. It will be a big party in any case and the honour belongs to him,” said Danius, adding that she is confident he will make an appearance.
Though Dylan hasn’t acknowledged the award yet, he did surprise fans in Las Vegas the same day as his nomination last week by playing guitar during a performance for the first time in four years. Watch the clip below.