Nobel Day

There is a sense of ceremony here in Stockholm Concert Hall, and in Norway's Oslo City Hall. On this day, for more than a hundred years, finely-dressed people have gathered expectantly. In homes all over Sweden, many others are also watching this on tv. What is going on? It's the 10th of December – Nobel Day – and this year's Nobel Prizes are awarded.

Oh... Normally, a Nobel Prize is awarded to someone who has worked for many years – done significant research, made discoveries, or written lots of books... The oldest ever to receive a Nobel Prize was 97 years old – but the youngest – Malala Yousafzai – was only 17. The Prizes are organised into five categories: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine Literature, and Working for Peace. The Peace Prize is the one handed out in Norway.

There is also a sixth prize – The Prize in Economic Sciences – but that wasn't there from the beginning. The actual Prize given consists of a gold medal, a diploma, and a large amount of money. Who is awarded a Nobel Prize, is decided in one of three places: The Royal Academy of Sciences, The Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute, or The Swedish Academy. In Norway, it is the Nobel Committee who selects the winners: the laureates. The laureates come from all over the world to receive the prize, which is handed out by the Swedish Head of State.

While the laureates are in Sweden, they also visit schools and meet students. Several schools also have their own Nobel Prize ceremony, where prizes are awarded: in Friendship, Best Story, or... other things deserving praise and acknowledgement. The students are finely dressed, and a special menu is often served. Whoops!

So Nobel? – Who is that? Well... Alfred Nobel – was – a Swedish inventor. He made a fortune by inventing dynamite. In his Last Will and Testament, he left much of his fortune, wanting this money to create prizes for those who... "...

during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit to mankind... " After the Prize ceremony, there is a magnificent celebration in Stockholm City Hall. Since it's supposed to be a bit special, the Royal family are guests of honour. Dinner – a secret menu – is served in the Blue Hall – which is not blue actually. The laureates give funny speeches and everything ends with dancing in the Golden Hall – which IS golden. This is The Feast of Feasts!

If you want to attend the Nobel Feast, go and study at a university, because there is a special lottery only for university students. It's still rather expensive... But if you go on to earn yourself a Nobel prize one day... ... then you go for free!