Panel praises Nobel Laureate Anne Carson: “She is such a poet”

For the third year in a row, Stockholm University hosted a live broadcast of the announcement on stage in the University Library and a talk with researchers about the Nobel Prize in Literature. When the Swedish Academy's Permanent Secretary Ingrid Carlberg announced that this year's laureate is the Canadian author Anne Carson, there was cheering in the room, and smiles on the faces of the panellists.

A few minutes before, literature professor Frida Beckman had asked the other two panellists who they hoped would win and who they thought would be named this year's laureate. For Bo G Ekelund, professor of English with a specialisation in literature, the answers were the same to both questions. He both wanted and believed that Anne Carson would receive the prize. Christophe Premat, professor of French with a specialisation in cultural studies and director of the Centre for Canadian Studies, also hoped for Anne Carson (and Margaret Atwood, also from Canada).

Was a forgotten book a good sign?

Bo G Ekelund said that he had considered Anne Carson a favourite for several years and in similar conversations before announcements brought the book “Autobiography of Red“ with him so that he was prepared to read from it. This year, however, he had been unable to find his copy at home, so it was not on stage. Maybe that was a sign – because this year the award goes to Carson.

In love with “Autobiography of Red“

In the discussion after the announcement, Bo G Ekelund praised Anne Carson. “She is such a poet!”. He also spoke about how he fell in love with “Autobiography of Red“ and the joy of teaching about Anne Carson. Christophe Premat spoke about Carson's importance in Canadian literature and described her as a philosopher who works with metaphors. Frida Beckman highlighted Carson as a postmodern writer.

Within a few minutes, staff at the library had picked up several of Carson's works and placed them on the tables in front of the panel. Bo G Ekelund then chose to read one of his favourite passages in “Autobiography of Red“.

Read two newly published articles by Christophe Premat in the online magazine The Conversation about Anne Carson and other Canadian writers.
Anne Carson wins the Nobel Prize: How Canadian writers land on the international stage
Anne Carson’s Nobel Prize: Where the ancient world meets postmodern literature

Read about the Centre for Canadian Studies

The event was part of Nobel Calling, where Stockholm University is one of the co-organizers.
Read more about Nobel Calling