Dylan Won't Accept Nobel Prize in Person

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Bob Dylan (via)

Nobel Literature Laureate Bob Dylan will not attend the official prize ceremony December 10. A message on the Swedish Academy's website Wednesday announced that it had "received a personal letter from Bob Dylan, in which he explained that due to pre-existing commitments, he is unable to travel to Stockholm in December and therefore will not attend the Nobel Prize Ceremony. He underscored, once again, that he feels very honored indeed, wishing that he could receive the prize in person."

Noting that the decision is neither unprecedented nor unusual, the Academy added: "We look forward to Bob Dylan's Nobel Lecture, which he must give--it is the only requirement--within six months counting from December 10, 2016."

In an update released today, the academy said it "has decided not to organize an alternative plan for the Nobel Lecture traditionally held on December 7. There is a chance that Bob Dylan will be performing in Stockholm next year, possibly in the spring, in which case he will have a perfect opportunity to deliver his lecture. We will post more information as soon as we have it."