Every December 10, Oslo hosts the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, a procession that has shifted venues, invites, and protocols, raising questions about who is actually granted entry to the event.
From Royal Courts to Town Hall: The Venue Shift
The Nobel Peace Prize was originally presented in a modest facility near the Royal Palace. As the award’s prestige grew, the ceremony moved to the Aula of the University of Oslo, and in the 1990s it was relocated to Oslo City Hall. The shift was decided by the committee secretary Geir Lundestad to bring the prize to a more civic space.
The Curious Process of Guest Selection
Invitation to the ceremony is formally issued by the Norwegian Nobel Institute, but the Foreign Ministry must approve attendance. The arrangement places the royal family in a separate row, flanked by ministers and parliamentarians, followed by diplomatic corps representatives. The laureate determines who else sits beside him or her, and there is little public information on how individuals secure a seat.
Diplomats, Royalty, and the Ceremony’s Secret Gatekeepers
Foreign embassies are routinely invited, yet their ambassadors often reject the summons. Over the last five years, two Russian laureates were honored, yet the Russian ambassador never attended. Similarly, the Venezuelan ambassador did not appear after the announcement of Maria Corina Machado, and the Belarusian ambassador did not applaud her acceptance of the medal.
Emotional Speeches and the Role of the Nobel Committee Chair
Unlike the Stockholm awards, Norwegian speeches emphasize the laureate’s personal sacrifices rather than public acclaim. Delegated journalists receive the speeches hours before the event but cannot publish them until the ceremony ends, keeping press coverage circumscribed.
Controversies: Inappropriate Jokes and Public Perception
The ceremony’s host, the chair of the Nobel Committee, traditionally offers the first toast and speeches. Former chair Thorbjørn Jagland, who served from 2009 to 2015, drew criticism for risqué and allegedly sexist jokes that shocked attendees. Earlier remarks by the Norwegian Prime Minister and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe also sparked unrest.
Afterglow: Banquets and Exhibitions
Following the formal proceedings, most guests head to the Grand Hotel for a banquet. The hotel has hosted laureates since the first ceremony in 1901. The menu is meticulously planned over months, culminating in a surprise reveal the night before. A day later, the Alfred Nobel Centre invites the laureate to a museum exhibition, such as the recent display of photographs of Venezuelan refugees in Colombia.