Sadly we have no prize for literature this year

the World's most prestigious award has had a tumultuous year. DN's review of the so-called kulturprofilen led to a deep crisis within the Swedish Academy, because of his strong ties to the Academy. When the Nobel prize is celebrated on Monday, the nobel prize in literature not awarded.

" I am convinced that there will be a large hole for the memorial award not awarded this year. It is amazing winners with exciting stories, so there is much to celebrate and rejoice in. But with that said, I think it is sad that we do not have any literary prize, " says Lars Heikensten, ceo of Nobel foundation.

nor certain that it will be awarded a nobel Prize in literature the next year.

" I have hopes, but I'm not at all convinced. We have said that the Swedish Academy must be a good bit of the way when it comes to recover its confidence that it will be in the news. We think that there is more step that must be taken in order to do it, " he says.

the Problems with the Swedish Academy has taken a lot of effort and energy during the year.

" It's certainly the deepest crisis they have gone through. And it has even spilled over at the Nobel prize, so it is also a major crisis for the Nobel foundation in a long time. I think that this will hang over us for a few years, but then, the wounds will heal if you say so. However, this presupposes that the Swedish Academy to take decisive action as soon as possible, so that we can be sure that what occurred doesn't happen again, " he says.

do not think that the crisis surrounding the award has diminished the value of the prizes. He points out that there is extensive knowledge about the price and that in the studies on recognition almost always ends up in the top.

When the Nobel prize was instituted the award was the first international, according to Lars Heikensten. It is also one of the reasons why the Nobel prize is still considered the world's finest scientific award, despite the fact that there are now several rates with much larger prize pools.

" the Nobel prize has a long history. The work has always been conducted with competence, even if there are price that in retrospect, you wonder if they were right or if someone deserving was missed. Competence and integrity are of the prize-awarding institutions, The nobel prize's long-term credibility is dependent on how those institutions are acting, " he says.

the Nobel prize is exposed to increasing competition. Partly by larger prize pools, and partly by rates which are addressed to other scientific fields than the nobel prizes.

" But our position is still very strong. As long as we do our job in a good way will we be able to retain its position as the finest price, I think.

Alfred Nobel wanted to achieve a better world, then it is important that there are also female role models.

that the price will continue to be relevant, are also required to come to grips with the lack of female winners of the prize. Priskommittéerna also works with questions on the direction, but the Nobel foundation has also brought in international expertise.

– part of the problems are outside of our and the committees ' frameworks, but we shall do everything in our power to women will not be disadvantaged by the system. Alfred Nobel wanted to achieve a better world, then it is important that there are also female role models.

Each year on the Nobeldagens morning go to Lars Heikensten, and the nobel Foundation chairman of the board Carl-Henrik Heldin of Alfred Nobel's grave to light candles and lay down a wreath.– It is a special moment. It is nice to think about this alone and sometimes melancholic man who created this amazing prize, " says Lars Heikensten. Photo: Nicklas Thegerström

prices can only be shared by maximum three persons is also something that is usually discussed. Today, research in large international collaborations.

" The question is not regulated in the testament and discussed at regular intervals. But it is also important to highlight the role models. The experience from the peace prize shows that it receives more attention when the price goes to the people than when it goes to the organizations.

Although the year has been very intense now see Lars Heikensten forward to participate in the nobel day.

" But we must not forget that we pay tribute to the people who have done something big and important. We live in a time where not only the science-challenged, but many times also the facts. We live in a time of populism and the state of war where human rights are challenged and disregarded. It gives a seriousness to our work. Alfred Nobel wanted to create a better world, " he says.