A calendar highlight with international reach, the Nobel Prize has celebrated scientific, cultural and humanitarian achievements since 1901. It covers the fields of physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace – as well as economics via the Prize in Economic Sciences, established in 1968. As stipulated in founder Alfred Nobel's will following his death in 1896, prizes are to be awarded annually to those “having conferred the greatest benefit to humankind” the previous year. ‘Winners’ are called laureates, and Albert Einstein and Mother Theresa are among the most famous names to enter the Nobel Prize ‘hall of fame’.
So, who was Alfred Nobel? Born in Stockholm 1833, he was an inventor, entrepreneur, scientist and industrialist. With a father working as an engineer and inventor, Nobel grew up surrounded by Swedish innovation. As for his own achievements, he went on to invent dynamite in 1867 and was responsible for a raft of other inventions – amassing 355 patents in his lifetime. Alfred Nobel also wrote poetry and drama, and his diverse interests are reflected in the Nobel Prize's many categories. Determined to support innovations beneficial to humankind, he bequeathed all of his assets to what was to become one of the world's most significant prizes.
Fast forward to the present day, the Nobel Prize is a major event divided into two. Outing number one takes place in early October, when the new laureates are announced. The Nobel Prize announcements always start on a Monday, with one prize awarded daily. A number of Nobel-related events also take place across Stockholm during that very special week in October. Celebrating scientific advances, the “Nobel Calling” festival serves up a week of exhibitions, lectures and events about science, literature and peace.
Come December, it's time for Stockholm's Nobel Week, replete with events for both the public and selected guests only. On December 10 – the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death – the Nobel Prize ceremony is held in the Stockholm Concert Hall (Konserthuset), where the Nobel Prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and economic sciences are awarded. Adhering to Alfred Nobel's wishes, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway on the same day.