The legendary American writer Ernest Hemingway and most colorful British politician of all times, Winston Churchill, are united not only by the love for Cuban cigars. Both were awarded a Nobel Prize …. in the field of literature. Moreover, Hemingway had to wait for a year as in 1953, there was already a political decision – read as literary critical – made to encourage Churchill. A prize was also given for official “justification” – historical and biographical description master class, as well as for brilliant rhetorical art.
To say how fruitful they were in the world literature of the 50’s of last century means to say nothing. In this context, the fuss which arose with regard to awarding Churchill, as many used to think, NOT HIS prize was not surprising. Years passed. The Nobel Award being a public important event, became politicized year by year. Perhaps, only the responsible and representatives of the so-called natural science bloc remained loyal to the Alfred Nobel’s message. Even the economists began to argue trying to find “their” provisions in the works of Nobel prize winners. The Nobel Peace Prize, which is created as political is an interesting exception.
The difference between yesterday and today is only in the fact that the selection of the winners in the 20th century almost always coincided with the opinion of the world community. In recent years, the situation has changed. We can remember US President Barack Obama when many people characterized awarding him a Nobel Peace Prize as an action aimed at the prevention of violence. The Nobel Prize in Literature was traditionally not void of political tone. People have refused or had to refuse. They were awarded being in custody. It was awarded as an appreciation suffering and manliness of our times (the “justification” of awarding Belarus Svetlana Aleksievich was truly stunning). And so, in 2016 and … Bob Dylan.
Seeing one of the kings of rock music in the status of a Nobel winner is first of all unusual. Especially when we learn that he was awarded for “enriching the American musical traditions with new poetic expressions.” However, no need to be surprised. The Nobel Prize as I just mentioned is a public importance event, however, in the modern information fast-food era, it is no longer “visible” to many. And as we know, any product needs a good advertising. If it were not for this decision, there would not be thousands of posts on social networks, there would not be the indignation by art workers considering themselves unappreciated, there would not be … and this article. Awarding the species like “Bob Dylan”, the Nobel Committee definitely has made the right decision.
Vahan ZAKARYAN
Candidate of philological sciences, associate professor
