Pedestrians and visitors stand in front of the Nobel Prize Museum in Stortorget in the old town of Stockholm, Sweden, July 15, 2023. REUTERS/Tom Little Acquire Licensing Rights
STOCKHOLM, Sept 2 (Reuters) - The Nobel Foundation said on Saturday it would not after all invite the ambassadors of Russia, Belarus and Iran to attend the Nobel Prize awards ceremony in Stockholm this year, reversing an earlier decision after widespread criticism.
Last year, the foundation left out the ambassadors of Russia and its ally Belarus because of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
The foundation said on Thursday it would invite them, and Iran's ambassador, to this year's prize award ceremonies in December, commenting that it sought to include even those who did not share the values of the Nobel Prize.
That announcement prompted the leaders of several Swedish political parties to say they would boycott the ceremonies.
"We recognise the strong reactions in Sweden," the foundation said in a statement on Saturday.
"We, therefore, choose to repeat last year's exception to regular practice – that is, to not invite the ambassadors of Russia, Belarus and Iran to the Nobel Prize award ceremony in Stockholm."
The prize-winners are announced in early October and five of the six Nobel prizes are awarded in Stockholm every year after a nomination process that is kept secret for the next 50 years. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo where separate festivities are held.
Reporting by Simon Johnson Editing by Frances Kerry
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marcus91swe on September 2nd, 2023 at 17:22 UTC »
11:26 the king of Sweden announced he might not go to the awards. 11:55 Nobel foundation cancels Russia, Belarus and Iran invites. Glory to the king
DrSnicksnack on September 2nd, 2023 at 12:23 UTC »
How out of touch are these people to not expect this response?
Smithy2232 on September 2nd, 2023 at 12:00 UTC »
Nobel Foundation cancels Russia, Belarus, Iran invites to annual prize awards
Reuters
September 2, 20236:54 AM CDTUpdated 5 min ago
STOCKHOLM, Sept 2 (Reuters) - The Nobel Foundation said on Saturday it would not after all invite the ambassadors of Russia, Belarus and Iran to attend the Nobel Prize awards ceremony in Stockholm this year, reversing an earlier decision after widespread criticism.
Last year, the foundation left out the ambassadors of Russia and its ally Belarus because of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
The foundation said on Thursday it would invite them, and Iran's ambassador, to this year's prize award ceremonies in December, commenting that it sought to include even those who did not share the values of the Nobel Prize.
That announcement prompted the leaders of several Swedish political parties to say they would boycott the ceremonies.
"We recognise the strong reactions in Sweden," the foundation said in a statement on Saturday.
"We, therefore, choose to repeat last year's exception to regular practice – that is, to not invite the ambassadors of Russia, Belarus and Iran to the Nobel Prize award ceremony in Stockholm."
The prize-winners are announced in early October and five of the six Nobel prizes are awarded in Stockholm every year after a nomination process that is kept secret for the next 50 years. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo where separate festivities are held.
Reporting by Simon Johnson Editing by Frances Kerry