The Nobel Prize occupies a unique position in the world and is of major importance to Stockholm and Sweden. This has been especially evident during the past week or so, as the 2018 Nobel Laureates have been announced – again putting Stockholm and Sweden in the global spotlight
For more than a century, there has been a dream of giving the Nobel Prize a permanent presence in Stockholm and creating a venue for far-reaching public activities in the name of the Nobel Prize – a venue where the focus of attention is on science, literature and peace efforts, and where the major issues of our era are discussed. Where schoolchildren as well as researchers, tourists and curious Stockholm residents can be inspired to want to contribute to a better world in the spirit of Alfred Nobel.
In 2011, the Nobel Foundation reached an agreement with the City of Stockholm to work towards creating a Nobel Center on the Blasieholmen peninsula. Under this agreement, the Nobel Foundation would assume responsibility for financing the Nobel Center and for organising an international architectural competition, which we did. In 2012 the pact was confirmed in a unanimous decision on a site allocation agreement. Until today, the City of Stockholm has pursued this process according to a long-established system for planning matters.
Lars Heikensten, Executive Director of the Nobel Foundation:
“For the past seven years, we have acted in accordance with our agreements. We interpret today’s announcement as meaning that the Alliance, in cooperation with the Green Party, is trying to diverge from signed agreements. A project of major, long-term significance for Stockholm as a city of science and a centre for lively discussion in the spirit of Alfred Nobel is thus at risk of being sacrificed to short-term political interests.”
Carl-Henrik Heldin, Chairman of the Nobel Foundation:
“Our aim with the Nobel Center on the Blasieholmen peninsula has been to create a house of knowledge and for the people, located in the heart of Stockholm. It is an idea we still believe in. If the political majority in Stockholm closes the door to Blasieholmen, a whole new project would be needed in order to turn this idea into a reality. It would be costly and would require bringing together many stakeholders once again. It would also require reliable partners representing the City of Stockholm.”
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Rebecka Oxelström
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