Han Kang has made history as the first Korean and the first Asian woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. The award ceremony will take place at 4:00 PM local time on December 10, 2024, at the Stockholm Concert Hall in Sweden. Han will receive the Nobel medal and diploma from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, cementing her legacy in the literary world.
The prestigious event will see laureates walk the symbolic "Blue Carpet" as they make their entrance, following the welcome speech by Astrid Biding, Chair of the Nobel Foundation. The awards for Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, and Economics will then be presented in order.
Han Kang’s attire for the ceremony has also drawn significant attention. While male recipients traditionally wear tailcoats and women wear evening dresses, traditional attire from the recipient's home country is permitted. Speculation is rife about whether Han will choose a hanbok, a nod to her Korean heritage.
Following the ceremony, a grand banquet will be held at the Blue Hall of Stockholm City Hall, attended by the King, laureates, and over 1,300 guests, including international media. Han is expected to deliver a brief speech during the evening event, which starts at 7:00 PM.
Leading up to the main event, Han has been participating in a series of activities during the Nobel Week in Sweden. On December 6, she donated a teacup to the Nobel Museum collection, a gesture reflecting the quiet introspection and cultural depth often found in her works. She also held a press conference that same day. On December 7, Han delivered her Nobel lecture, an eloquent exploration of how writing connects human experiences through "electric threads of language." The following day, she attended the Nobel Prize Concert.
In her Nobel lecture, Han spoke about the physical and emotional essence she brings to her writing: "When I write, I use my body... I try to infuse those vivid sensations that I feel as a mortal being with blood coursing through her body into my sentences, as if I am sending out an electric current." Her words have resonated globally, offering profound insight into her craft and philosophy.
This milestone marks a significant moment not only for Korean literature but also for Asian representation on the global literary stage. Han's work, often characterized by its lyrical prose and exploration of trauma, human connection, and resilience, has captivated readers worldwide. Her novel The Vegetarian, which won the International Booker Prize in 2016, first introduced her to many global readers, and her subsequent works have only solidified her reputation.
Han Kang’s participation in this historic moment is not only a personal triumph but also a celebration of Korean literature and its growing influence on the global stage. Fans and literary circles worldwide eagerly anticipate her future contributions as a beacon of cultural and artistic excellence.
Sayart / Joy, nunimbos@gmail.com
Courtesy of Novel Prize
Han Kang has made history as the first Korean and the first Asian woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. The award ceremony will take place at 4:00 PM local time on December 10, 2024, at the Stockholm Concert Hall in Sweden. Han will receive the Nobel medal and diploma from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, cementing her legacy in the literary world.
The prestigious event will see laureates walk the symbolic "Blue Carpet" as they make their entrance, following the welcome speech by Astrid Biding, Chair of the Nobel Foundation. The awards for Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, and Economics will then be presented in order.
Han Kang’s attire for the ceremony has also drawn significant attention. While male recipients traditionally wear tailcoats and women wear evening dresses, traditional attire from the recipient's home country is permitted. Speculation is rife about whether Han will choose a hanbok, a nod to her Korean heritage.
Following the ceremony, a grand banquet will be held at the Blue Hall of Stockholm City Hall, attended by the King, laureates, and over 1,300 guests, including international media. Han is expected to deliver a brief speech during the evening event, which starts at 7:00 PM.
Leading up to the main event, Han has been participating in a series of activities during the Nobel Week in Sweden. On December 6, she donated a teacup to the Nobel Museum collection, a gesture reflecting the quiet introspection and cultural depth often found in her works. She also held a press conference that same day. On December 7, Han delivered her Nobel lecture, an eloquent exploration of how writing connects human experiences through "electric threads of language." The following day, she attended the Nobel Prize Concert.
In her Nobel lecture, Han spoke about the physical and emotional essence she brings to her writing: "When I write, I use my body... I try to infuse those vivid sensations that I feel as a mortal being with blood coursing through her body into my sentences, as if I am sending out an electric current." Her words have resonated globally, offering profound insight into her craft and philosophy.
This milestone marks a significant moment not only for Korean literature but also for Asian representation on the global literary stage. Han's work, often characterized by its lyrical prose and exploration of trauma, human connection, and resilience, has captivated readers worldwide. Her novel The Vegetarian, which won the International Booker Prize in 2016, first introduced her to many global readers, and her subsequent works have only solidified her reputation.
Han Kang’s participation in this historic moment is not only a personal triumph but also a celebration of Korean literature and its growing influence on the global stage. Fans and literary circles worldwide eagerly anticipate her future contributions as a beacon of cultural and artistic excellence.
