Who won the first Nobel Prize in Literature. Russian writers, winners of the Nobel Prize in Literature

RUSSIAN HISTORY

Prix ​​Nobel? Oui, ma belle". So Brodsky joked long before receiving Nobel Prize, which is the most important award for almost any writer. Despite the generous scattering of Russian literary geniuses, only five of them managed to receive the highest award. However, many of them, if not all, having received it, suffered enormous losses in their lives.

Nobel Prize 1933 "For the truthful artistic talent with which he recreated in prose a typical Russian character."

Bunin became the first Russian writer to receive the Nobel Prize. The fact that Bunin had not even appeared in Russia for 13 years, even as a tourist, gave a special resonance to this event. Therefore, when he was informed of the call from Stockholm, Bunin could not believe what had happened. In Paris, the news spread instantly. Every Russian, regardless of financial position and spent his last pennies in the tavern, rejoicing that their compatriot turned out to be the best.

Once in the Swedish capital, Bunin was almost the most popular Russian person in the world, they stared at him for a long time, looked around, whispered. He was surprised, comparing his fame and honor with the glory of the famous tenor.



Nobel Prize ceremony.
I. A. Bunin in the first row, far right.
Stockholm, 1933

Nobel Prize in 1958 "For significant achievements in modern lyric poetry, as well as for the continuation of the traditions of the great Russian epic novel"

Pasternak's candidacy for the Nobel Prize was discussed in the Nobel Committee annually, from 1946 to 1950. After a personal telegram from the head of the committee and Pasternak's notice of the award, the writer replied with the following words: "Grateful, glad, proud, embarrassed." But some time later, after the planned public persecution of the writer and his friends, public persecution, sowing an impartial and even hostile image among the masses, Pasternak refused the prize, writing a letter with a more voluminous content.

After the prize was awarded, Pasternak bore the entire burden of the “persecuted poet” firsthand. Moreover, he carried this burden not at all for his poems (although it was for them, for the most part, that he was awarded the Nobel Prize), but for the “anti-Sovestvenny” novel Doctor Zhivago. Nes, even refusing such an honorary award and a solid amount of 250,000 crowns. According to the writer himself, he still would not have taken this money, sending it to another, more useful place than his own pocket.

On December 9, 1989, in Stockholm, the son of Boris Pasternak, Yevgeny, was awarded a diploma and Nobel medal Boris Pasternak.



Pasternak Evgeny Borisovich

Nobel Prize 1965 "for the artistic power and integrity of the epic about the Don Cossacks at a turning point for Russia".

Sholokhov, like Pasternak, repeatedly appeared in the field of view of the Nobel Committee. Moreover, their paths, like their offspring, involuntarily, and voluntarily too, crossed more than once. Their novels, without the participation of the authors themselves, "prevented" each other from winning the main award. It is pointless to choose the best of two brilliant, but such different works. Moreover, the Nobel Prize was given (and is being given) in both cases not for individual works, but for the overall contribution as a whole, for a special component of all creativity. Once, in 1954, the Nobel Committee did not award Sholokhov an award only because the letter of recommendation from Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR Sergeyev-Tsensky arrived a couple of days later, and the committee did not have enough time to consider Sholokhov's candidacy. It is believed that the novel ("Quiet Flows the Don") at that time was not beneficial to Sweden politically, and artistic value always played a secondary role for the committee. In 1958, when the figure of Sholokhov looked like an iceberg in the Baltic Sea, the prize went to Pasternak. Already a gray-haired, sixty-year-old Sholokhov in Stockholm was awarded his well-deserved Nobel Prize, after which the writer read the same pure and honest speech as all his work.



Mikhail Alexandrovich in the Golden Hall of the Stockholm City Hall
before the start of the Nobel Prize.

Nobel Prize 1970 "For the moral strength gleaned from the tradition of great Russian literature."

Solzhenitsyn learned about this award while still in the camps. And in his heart he aspired to become its laureate. In 1970, after he was awarded the Nobel Prize, Solzhenitsyn replied that he would come for the award "in person, on the appointed day." However, just like twelve years earlier, when Pasternak was also threatened with deprivation of his citizenship, Solzhenitsin canceled his trip to Stockholm. It's hard to say that he regretted it too much. Reading the program of the gala evening, he kept coming across pompous details: what and how to say, a tuxedo or tailcoat to wear at a particular banquet. "... Why is it necessary to have a white butterfly," he thought, "but you can't wear a camp padded jacket?" "And how to talk about the main business of all life at the" banquet table "when the tables are laden with dishes and everyone drinks, eats, talks...".

Nobel Prize 1987 "For a comprehensive literary activity distinguished by clarity of thought and poetic intensity.

Of course, it was much "easier" for Brodsky to receive the Nobel Prize than for Pasternak or Solzhenitsyn. At that time, he was already a hunted emigrant, deprived of citizenship and the right to enter Russia. The news of the Nobel Prize caught Brodsky at lunch in a Chinese restaurant near London. The news practically did not change the expression of the writer's face. He only joked to the first reporters that now he will have to talk his tongue whole year. One journalist asked Brodsky whether he considers himself a Russian or an American? “I am a Jew, a Russian poet and an English essayist,” Brodsky replied.

Known for his indecisive nature, Brodsky took to Stockholm two versions of the Nobel Lecture: in Russian and in English. Until the last moment, no one knew in which language the writer would read the text. Brodsky stopped in Russian.



On December 10, 1987, the Russian poet Iosif Brodsky was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature "for his all-encompassing work, imbued with clarity of thought and poetic intensity."

A poem is a colossal accelerator of consciousness, thinking, attitude. Having experienced this acceleration once, a person is no longer able to refuse to repeat this experience, he falls into dependence on this process, as one falls into dependence on drugs or alcohol. A person who is in this dependence on language, I believe, is called a poet.

Boris Pasternak was expelled from the Writers' Union, he was threatened with expulsion from the country, a criminal case was even opened on charges of treason. All this forced Pasternak to refuse the Nobel Prize (the diploma and medal were awarded to his son in 1989).

William Butler Yeats. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1923

Irish poet William Yeats was awarded the prize for inspirational poetic work that conveys the national spirit in a highly artistic form. Yeats maintained a connection with his people, while being the most refined artist. Yeats' work reveals the ancient world with its wild imagination and love for fascinating stories, strong men and beautiful women.

Eivind JONSON

Eivind Jonsson was awarded the prize for narrative art that sees through space and time and serves freedom. The Romance of Uluf, a four-volume story about teenagers, has become a classic of Swedish literature. A rationalist and humanist who in his novels defends democracy, common sense and reasonable standards of behavior.

Yasunari Kawabata. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1968

Yasunari Kawabata is awarded for writing that captures the essence of the Japanese mind. In the novels of Kawabata, which are distinguished by the second plan and reticence, modernist techniques and elements of traditional Japanese culture are intertwined. The mysterious tale of the Thousand-winged Crane, based on the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, is best known in the West.

Albert Camus. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1957

Albert Camus received an award for huge contribution into literature, highlighting the importance of human conscience. The story "The Outsider", which is an analysis of alienation, the meaninglessness of human existence, brought Camus international fame. Dedicated to the theme of universal evil best play the writer of Caligula. The work is considered a significant milestone in the history of the theater of the absurd.

Elias CANETTI. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1981

Elias Canetti was awarded the prize for works marked by breadth of outlook, richness of ideas and artistic power. The novel "Blinding" is called one of the few great books of our century. A book about human madness that exposed fascism was officially banned in Nazi Germany. There is so much fantastic and demonic in it that associations with Gogol and Dostoevsky arise.

Josue CARDUCCI. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1906

The Italian poet Giosue Carducci was awarded the prize for the creative energy, freshness of style and lyrical power of his poetic masterpieces. Collection "Barbarian odes" with prevailing in them historical theme, as well as the more lyrical "New Poems" are considered the most skillful in his work, they feel a deep, if somewhat alienated vision of the continuity of human existence.

Eric Karlfeldt. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1931

Eric Karlfeldt was awarded the prize posthumously, because during his lifetime he refused the prize, referring to his position at the Academy: he was a member of the Nobel Committee for Literature. At home, K. was highly rated, but little known outside of Sweden. His poems are difficult to translate. Poetry K. thoughtful, refined, and exceptionally figurative.

Salvatore Quasimodo. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1959

Salvatore Quasimodo was awarded the prize for lyric poetry, which expresses with classical vivacity the tragic experience of our time. His poems are an encrypted imagery, a cult of the word and a strict, sometimes mysterious intellectualism. Quasimodo is widely known for his translations of Shakespeare and ancient authors.

Rudyard Kipling . Nobel Prize in Literature, 1907

Rudyard Kipling was awarded the prize for observation, vivid imagination, maturity of ideas and outstanding storytelling talent. The most popular book, the story of the life of a human cub Mowgli in the wild with vivid, psychologically reliable images of animals, is imbued with the thought of an original life untouched by civilization with its nakedly simple and obvious hierarchy of values.

Per LAGERKVIST. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1951

Per Lagerquist was awarded the prize for the artistic power and absolute independence of judgment of a writer who sought answers to eternal questions facing humanity. The novel Barabbas is Lagerkvist's masterpiece about a person's attempt to find God, about the need to have faith, where the gospel story is told with great authenticity and spiritual power.

Selma Lagerlef. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1909

Selma Lagerlöf received the award as a tribute to the high idealism, vivid imagination and spiritual insight that distinguish all her works. Her most famous children's novel Wonderful Journey Nils Holgersson for Sweden" is written in the spirit folk tales, they combine dreaminess fairy tales with peasant realism.

Haldor LAKSNESS. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1955

Haldour Laxness received the award for the brilliant epic power that has revived the great storytelling art of Iceland. Laxness brought literature back to its roots and enriched the Icelandic language with new artistic means to express contemporary content. The most significant novel, The Light of the World, is a four-volume saga about the love of beauty and the rejection of social injustice.

Sinclair LEWIS. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1930

Sinclair Lewis was awarded for his powerful and expressive art of storytelling and for his rare ability to create new types and characters with satire and humor. Lewis is considered one of the most daring, poignant and controversial writers U.S.A. The novels "Babbitt", "Main Street" are called social documents of the highest order.

Thomas MANN. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1929

Thomas Mann was awarded the great romance"Buddenbrooks", which has become a classic of modern literature. Mann's greatness lies in his ability to reconcile poetic elation, intellectuality with love for everything earthly, for simple life. The theme of the destructive impact of art on the psyche prevails in one of the most remarkable short stories in world literature, Death in Venice.

Roger MARTIN DU GARD. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1937

Roger Martin du Gard awarded for artistic power and truth in the depiction of man and the most essential parts modern life. In the famous tragic romance"The Thibault Family" Martin du Gard extols idealism human spirit. He salutes the independent personality who avoids the lure of fanatical ideologies and is focused on self-discovery.

Harry MARTINSON. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1974

Harry Martinson has been honored with an award for creativity that has everything from a drop of dew to space. The most famous poem "Aniara" is a symbolic story of humanity, deprived of spiritual values. The first poet of the space age, self-taught Martinson surprised with amazing erudition, stylistic and linguistic innovation.

Naguib MAHFOUZ. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1988

A homebody and a long-liver, a ministerial civil servant who only once left the borders of Egypt, became the first Arab - a Nobel laureate. Prohibitions and censorship only contributed to the popularity of his works. The reformer and patriarch of the Arabic novel, whose books contain the entire turbulent history of Egypt in the 20th century, participated in the development of Egyptian cinema and was known as a famous oral storyteller.

Maurice Maeterlinck. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1911

Maurice Maeterlinck was awarded the prize for dramatic works marked by a wealth of imagination and poetic fantasy. Maeterlinck often turned to the fairy tale genre because the fairy tale is the deepest and simplest expression of the collective consciousness, it appeals to human feelings. Maeterlinck's most popular play, The Blue Bird, was first staged by Stanislavsky in Moscow.

Cheslav MILOSH. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1980

The prize was awarded to Czesław Milos, who, with fearless clairvoyance, showed the insecurity of man in a world torn by conflicts. Thanks to his art, Milosz found a solution to the most urgent spiritual dilemma of our time: how to bear the burden of historical memory and not fall into despair. The entire bloody history of the 20th century entered into the poetry of Milos. and the painful experience of emigration.

Gabriela MISTRAL. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1945

Gabriela Mistral wins poetry prize true feeling who made her name a symbol of idealistic aspirations for the whole Latin America. Exile and return, mourning and rebirth - these are the themes that run through her whole life, and only faith, according to the poetess, can bring salvation. In Spanish-speaking countries, Gabriela's poems are known in every home.

Frederic MISTRAL

Frederic Mistral was awarded the prize for the freshness and originality of poetic works that truly reflect the spirit of the people. Mistral represents modern Provence with such strength, fullness and brightness that it is difficult to find equals to it. The main criterion for the award, Alfred Nobel himself considered the idealism of Mistral, who devoted his whole life to the revival of the national spirit, mother tongue and literature.

Theodor Mommsen. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1902

Theodor Mommsen, one of the greatest historical writers, was awarded the prize for the monumental work "Roman History". The work, which is distinguished by its polished language and encyclopedic knowledge of the history and culture of Ancient Rome, brought Mommsen world fame and is still considered a significant contribution to history and literature.

Eugenio MONTALE. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1975

Eugenio Montale received the award for his achievements in poetry, which is distinguished by great insight and expression of views on life, completely devoid of illusions. Montale's global pessimism does not contradict the poet's humility, which contains a spark of confidence. The collection “Cuttlefish Shells” is an original work, freed from literary conventions, the verses are distinguished by clarity and specificity, unconventional imagery.

François Mauriac. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1952

Francois Mauriac was awarded the prize for deep spiritual insight and artistic power with which he reflected the drama in his novels human life. Best Novel The Clew of Serpents has been called a brilliant example of the Catholic novel. As a journalist, Mauriac garnered a huge readership by wittily commenting on political and literary events.

Pablo Neruda. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1971

Pablo Neruda was awarded the prize for poetry, which, with supernatural power, embodied the fate of an entire continent. Marxist views did not prevent his work from taking a central place in Spanish-language poetry of the 20th century. The monumental work "Universal Song" with illustrations by Siqueiros and Rivera is considered Neruda's masterpiece.

Eugene O "Neal. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1936

Eugene O "Neill was the first American playwright to be awarded the prize for the power of impact, truthfulness and depth of dramatic works that reinterpret the tragedy genre in a new way. Although the characters are often pseudo-tragedy because they lack the greatness of spirit and vitality, O" Neil practically created the American drama.

Octavio PAS. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1990

It is believed that he created the language of Latin American poetry. It is argued that it is impossible to talk about the national Mexican character and not refer to his prose. He is titled one of the greatest poets of the twentieth century. The very same creator of surrealistic experimental poems, publicist, translator and diplomat admitted that his work is an attempt to return to the “present”, to find “modernity”.

Boris Pasternak. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1958

Boris Pasternak was awarded the prize for significant achievements in modern lyric poetry, as well as for continuing the traditions of the great Russian epic novel. P.'s divergence from communist ideals led to the fact that until the 80s it was not published at home, although the novel Doctor Zhivago was read by the whole world.

Luigi Pirandello. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1934

Luigi Pirandello was awarded the creative courage and ingenuity in the revival of the dramatic and theatrical arts. The most remarkable feature of Pirandello's art. lies in its almost magical ability make a good play out of psychological analysis. The play "Henry IV", according to many critics, is the pinnacle of Pirandello's work.

Henrik PONTOPPIDAN. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1917

Henrik Pontoppidan was awarded a prize for his truthful description of contemporary life in Denmark. One of the greatest realists and the most insightful novelists of his country; he is an observant writer of everyday life, able to write quite impartially. All his works are a struggle against deceptive and perfidious illusions, against false authority, romanticism, reckless faith in beautiful words against moral cowardice.

Bertrand RUSSELL. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1950

Bertrand Russell was awarded the prize as one of the most brilliant representatives of rationalism and humanism, a fearless fighter for freedom of speech and freedom of thought in the West. The largest philosopher was at the same time a very controversial political figure, for his freethinking he was compared with Voltaire. Like the philosophers of old, he is a master of English prose.

Vladislav REYMONT. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1924

Vladislav Reymont was awarded the prize for the outstanding national epic - the novel "Men". The work is purely Polish in spirit and color, but at the same time it amazes with its versatility. The novel has been translated into several languages ​​and brought the writer international fame. After the death of the writer, his popularity in the West fell, his works are known mainly to specialists.

Romain ROLLAND. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1915

Romain Rolland received the prize for the high idealism of literary works, for sympathy and love for truth. The ten-volume novel "Jean-Christophe" about the life of Beethoven received worldwide fame and brought recognition to Rolland. But he is remembered more not as a writer, but as a defender human dignity and freedom, a fighter for a more just and humane social order.

Jean Paul Sartre. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1964

Jean Paul Sartre was awarded the prize for his work, rich in ideas, imbued with the spirit of freedom and the search for truth, which had a huge impact for our time. Sartre's main philosophical work, Being and Nothing, became a bible for young French intellectuals. Sartre was more of a philosopher and politician trying to reconcile Marxism and Existentialism than a writer.

Yaroslav SEYFERT. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1984

Yaroslav Seifert was awarded the prize for poetry, which is distinguished by freshness, sensuality and rich imagination, and testifies to the independence of the spirit and the versatility of a person. The bright, even transparent poetry of Seyfert turns out to be complex, multi-valued. The language of poetry helped Seyfert in the struggle for the independence of Czechoslovakia.

Camilo José SELA. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1989

Prose writer, poet, founder of tremendism - a "terrible" trend in Spanish literature. Criticized the morality and conventions of society, wrote about the poorest segments of the population. I experimented a lot with form and language. The novels often lack a plot and a consistent presentation; they use such means and techniques as allegory, phantasmagoria, surrealism, and the grotesque. Travel notes, on the contrary, are full of lyrical descriptions.

Saint John PERS. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1960

Saint-John Perce was awarded the prize for sublimity and imagery, which through the means of poetry reflect the circumstances of our time. Saint-John Perse is one of the most original poets of the 20th century, distinguished by bold and at the same time allegorical imagery, his language is very literary. A grandiose poet, an Old Testament narrator, writing on modern topics.

Henryk Sienkiewicz. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1905

Henryk Sienkiewicz was awarded an award for outstanding achievements in the field of epic. Creativity Senkevich is immense and at the same time carefully thought out. Senkevich embodied the spirit of the nation. His colorful and believable historical novels "The Flood", "Pan Volodyevsky", "With Fire and Sword" made up a trilogy, strengthening the authority of the writer - the master of the historical novel.

George SEFERIS. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1963

Georgos Seferis was awarded the prize for outstanding lyrical works filled with admiration for the world of the ancient Hellenes. A talented diplomat, Seferis at the same time managed to create works comparable in value to the verses of the classics of European poetry. In his poems, the myth suddenly comes to life, antiquity and modernity form a metaphor without any tension or contradiction.

Frans SILLANPA. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1939

Frans Sillanpä was awarded for his deep insight into the life of Finnish peasants and his excellent description of their customs and connection with nature. The greatest success was enjoyed by his novel "The Deceased in Youth", which brought the writer European fame. Sillanpä is a poetic dreamer who combines gentle lyricism with insightful intellectual analysis.

Claude SIMON. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1985

Claude Simon was awarded the prize for the combination of poetic and pictorial principles in his work. Simon's books are characterized by an interest in time, memory, order and chaos, a desire for associativity and broken composition. The writer builds his works according to the laws of "collage", where all events and experiences, as in artistic canvas are located on the same level.

Alexander SOLZHENITSYN. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1970

Alexander Solzhenitsyn was awarded the prize for moral strength gleaned from the tradition of great Russian literature. Solzhenitsyn believed that the artist is the last keeper of the truth. "The Gulag Archipelago" recreates an officially non-existent Soviet history to commemorate those "ground into camp dust". Other novels are dedicated tragic history about how the Russians themselves destroyed both their past and their future.

John STEINBECK. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1962

John Steinbeck was awarded the prize for a realistic and poetic gift, combined with gentle humor and sharp social vision. Steinbeck is best known as the author of the great Depression novels. Like no other American writer, Steinbeck consistently seeks to appreciate the life of a person, to pay tribute to him. Nine of his novels have been filmed.

René SULLY-PRUDHOME. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1901

René Sully-Prudhomme was the first recipient of the Literature Prize for outstanding literary merit, lofty idealism, artistic excellence and an unusual combination of sincerity and talent. The presentation of the award came as a surprise to all those who considered Leo Tolstoy the most likely contender. The humanistic ideals of Sully-Prudhomme brought poetry out of the darkness of pessimism.

Rabindranath TAGOR. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1913

Rabindranath Tagore received the award for his deeply felt, original and beautiful poems, which expressed his poetic thinking with exceptional skill. Tagore's poems are filled with universal meaning, they bring together the world of East and West. Tagore's famous Sacrificial Songs are filled with the highest wisdom, reminding us of everything that flies out of our heads in the chaos of Western life.

Patrick WHITE. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1973

Australian writer Patrick White has been honored for his epic and psychological excellence in opening up a new literary continent. The best novel "Foss" is a parable in which White shows how in the human heart there is a struggle between pride and humility, faith in oneself and faith in God, an attempt to break through to the spiritual center of Australian society.

Sigrid UNSET. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1928

Sigrid Undset was awarded for her memorable description of the Scandinavian Middle Ages. The trilogy "Christine, daughter of Lavrans" is called the greatest novel, where the atmosphere of medieval life is conveyed very accurately. Unset combined the modern method of psychological analysis with the narrative style of the Norse sagas, with their emphasis on plot rather than on the narrator's reasoning.

William FAULKNER. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1949

William Faulkner is honored for his significant and artistically unique contribution to the development of modern American novel. Faulkner's prose is distinguished by the creative principle of "double vision", with the help of which the same events and characters are revealed from different points of view. The bestseller was the novel "Sanctuary" - Greek tragedy with a detective story.

Anatole FRANCE. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1921

Anatole France was awarded the prize for brilliant literary achievements, marked by sophistication of style, deeply suffered humanism and a truly Gallic temperament. He is the prince of prose, the satirist and the great French wit. The novel "The Crime of Sylvester Bonnard" in the image of the protagonist embodied the personality of the writer himself and the spirit of the era and still remains the most readable book France.

Werner von HEYDENSTAM. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1916

Werner von Heydenstam, as the most prominent representative of a new era in world literature, was awarded the prize. An original lyric artist who revived Swedish poetry. Dedicated to Sweden's past best books Heidenstam, where major historical figures are brought out, the novels are distinguished by deep idealism and patriotic spirit.

Paul HEYSE. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1910

Paul Heise was awarded the prize for artistry, idealism as a lyric poet, playwright, novelist and author of world-famous short stories. Heise is rightfully considered the creator of the modern psychological novel. For the ability to create female images he is even called a "feminist". Heise's original poems are forgotten, but his translations from Italian poets are well known.

Ernest Hemingway . Nobel Prize in Literature, 1954

Ernest Hemingway is honored for his storytelling excellence, once again demonstrated in The Old Man and the Sea. Hemingway himself described his inner world astonishingly: “Creativity is loneliness at best. After all, the writer creates alone, and if he is enough good writer he has to deal every day with eternity—or the lack of it.”

Juan Jimenez. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1956

Juan Jimenez was awarded the prize for lyric poetry, an example of high spirit and artistic purity in Spanish poetry. Jimenez occupies a completely unique place in Spanish literature because of the desire for nudity, universality and infinity of poetry. In his poems, one can hear the original poetic voice, elegant, musical, with a touch of mystery.

Winston Churchill . Nobel Prize in Literature, 1953

Winston Churchill was awarded the prize for the excellence of his historical and biographical works, as well as for his brilliant oratory, with the help of which the highest human values. Churchill's political and literary achievements are so great that he can be compared with both Caesar and Cicero. Churchill's magnificent passionate speeches are an example of courage and inflexibility.

The will of SHOYINKA. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1986

Wole Shoyinka is the first African writer to receive the award for creating a theater of great cultural perspective and poetry. In his plays, a wide variety of stage techniques are widely and skillfully used, and above all traditional African ones: ritual dance, masks and pantomimes, rhythm and music, recitation, theater reception in the theater.

Mikhail SHOLOKHOV. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1965

Mikhail Sholokhov was awarded the prize for the artistic power and integrity of the epic about the Don Cossacks at a turning point for Russia. The original version of the novel The Quiet Flows the Don is a great and at the same time touching love story, perhaps the only real love story in Soviet literature.

George Bernard SHOW. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1925

George Bernard Shaw has been awarded an idealistic and humanistic work of art, for his effervescent satire, which is often combined with exceptional poetic beauty. The satirist and social reformer, accused of frivolity and too irresponsible sense of humor, left a rich dramatic legacy. The show used everything that is in the theatrical pantries and in the minds of the people.

Carl SPITTELER. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1919

Karl Spitteler received the award for the incomparable epic "Olympic Spring". This epic poem was recognized as a masterpiece of German-language literature. The most complex conglomeration of mythology, humor, fantasy, religion and allegory, written in iambic hexameter. The Spitteler mythology is a unique form of expression in which human suffering, hopes and disappointments appear at the level of the ideal imagination.

Rudolf EICHEN. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1908

Rudolf Aiken was awarded the prize for the serious search for truth, the all-pervading power of thought, the broad outlook, liveliness and persuasiveness with which he defended and developed the idealist philosophy. Professor Aiken wrote serious studies in different areas philosophy and was a champion of true spirituality, not superficial morality, but a life full of nobility and dignity.

Thomas Stearns ELIOT. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1948

Thomas Stearns Eliot is honored for his outstanding pioneering contribution to contemporary poetry. Eliot's poetry penetrates the depths of morality and psychology. Eliot understood the changing, paradoxical nature of our most hidden emotions and judgments, and tried to express this paradox in his style, characterized by a violation of syntax and meaning.

Odyseas ELITIS. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1979

Odyseas Elitis received the prize for his poetic work, which, in line with the Greek tradition, with sensual strength and intellectual insight, depicts the struggle of modern man for freedom and independence. He has a romantic and lyrical mind, prone to sensual metaphysics. His poems are a spell, they call to life the imperishable Greek world.

Xoce ECHEGARAI. Nobel Prize in Literature, 1904

José Echegaray is awarded for his many contributions to the revival of the Spanish drama tradition. Echegerai's plays are characterized by color, true tragedy, the struggle of beauty and heroism with blind fate or with indomitable idealism, which above all honors jealousy and vindictiveness. Echegerai combines in his work the unity of a rich imagination and a refined artistic taste.

Since the delivery of the first Nobel Prize 112 years have passed. Among Russians deserving of this most prestigious award in the field literature, physics, chemistry, medicine, physiology, peace and economics became only 20 people. As for the Nobel Prize in Literature, Russians have their own personal history in this area, not always with a positive ending.

First awarded in 1901, bypassed the most important writer in Russian and world literature - Leo Tolstoy. In their address of 1901, the members of the Royal Swedish Academy formally paid their respects to Tolstoy, calling him "the venerable patriarch of modern literature" and "one of those powerful penetrating poets, which in this case should be remembered first of all", but referred to the fact that that, in view of his convictions, the great writer himself "never aspired to this kind of reward." In his reply letter, Tolstoy wrote that he was glad that he was relieved of the difficulties associated with the disposal of so much money and that he was pleased to receive notes of sympathy from so many respected persons. Things were different in 1906, when Tolstoy, having forestalled his nomination for the Nobel Prize, asked Arvid Järnefeld to use all kinds of connections so as not to be placed in an unpleasant position and refuse this prestigious award.

In a similar way Nobel Prize in Literature bypassed several other outstanding Russian writers, among whom was also the genius of Russian literature - Anton Pavlovich Chekhov. The first writer admitted to the "Nobel Club" was not pleasing to the Soviet government, who emigrated to France Ivan Alekseevich Bunin.

In 1933, the Swedish Academy presented Bunin with an award "for the strict skill with which he develops the traditions of Russian classical prose". Merezhkovsky and Gorky were also among the nominees this year. Bunin received Nobel Prize in Literature largely due to the 4 books published by that time about the life of Arseniev. During the ceremony, Per Hallstrom, a representative of the Academy, who presented the award, expressed admiration for Bunin's ability to "describe with extraordinary expressiveness and accuracy real life". In his response speech, the laureate thanked the Swedish Academy for the courage and honor it had shown the émigré writer.

A difficult story full of disappointment and bitterness accompanies the receipt of the Nobel Prize in Literature Boris Pasternak. Nominated annually from 1946 to 1958 and awarded this high award in 1958, Pasternak was forced to refuse it. Almost becoming the second Russian writer to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, the writer was hunted down at home, having received stomach cancer as a result of nervous shocks, from which he died. Justice triumphed only in 1989, when his son Yevgeny Pasternak received an honorary award for him "for significant achievements in modern lyric poetry, as well as for continuing the traditions of the great Russian epic novel."

Sholokhov Mikhail Alexandrovich received the Nobel Prize in Literature "for the novel The Quiet Flows the Flows Flows the Don" in 1965. It is worth noting that the authorship of this deep epic work, despite the fact that the manuscript of the work was found and a computer correspondence with the printed edition was established, there are opponents who declare the impossibility of creating a novel, indicating deep knowledge of the events of the First World War and the Civil War in such young age. The writer himself, summing up his work, said: “I would like my books to help people become better, become purer in soul… If I succeeded to some extent, I am happy.”

Solzhenitsyn Alexander Isaevich, winner of the 1918 Nobel Prize in Literature "for the moral strength with which he followed the immutable traditions of Russian literature." Having spent most of his life in exile and exile, the writer created deep and frightening historical works with their authenticity. Upon learning of the Nobel Prize, Solzhenitsyn expressed his desire to personally attend the ceremony. The Soviet government prevented the writer from receiving this prestigious award, calling it "politically hostile." Thus, Solzhenitsyn never got to the desired ceremony, fearing that he would not be able to return from Sweden back to Russia.

In 1987 Brodsky Joseph Alexandrovich awarded Nobel Prize in Literature"for an all-encompassing work imbued with the clarity of thought and the passion of poetry." In Russia, the poet did not receive life recognition. He worked while in exile in the United States, most of the works were written in impeccable English. In his speech of the Nobel laureate, Brodsky spoke about the most precious thing for him - language, books and poetry...

Nobel Prize in Literature

Are awarded: writers for achievements in the field of literature.

Significance in the field of literature: the most prestigious literary prize.

Award established: at the behest of Alfred Nobel in 1895. It has been awarded since 1901.

Candidates are nominated: members of the Swedish Academy, other academies, institutions and societies with similar tasks and goals; professors of literature and linguistics; winners of the Nobel Prize in Literature; chairmen of the authors' unions representing literary creativity in the respective countries.
The selection of candidates is made by the Nobel Committee for Literature.

Winners are chosen: Swedish Academy.

Prize is awarded: once a year.

Laureates are awarded: a medal with the image of Nobel, a diploma and a cash prize, the size of which varies.

Award Winners and Rationale for the Award:

1901 - Sully Prudhomme, France. For outstanding literary virtues, especially for high idealism, artistic perfection, and also for the extraordinary combination of sincerity and talent, as evidenced by his books

1902 - Theodor Mommsen, Germany. One of the outstanding historical writers, who wrote such a monumental work as "Roman History"

1903 - Bjornstjerne Bjornson, Norway. For noble high and versatile poetry, which has always been marked by fresh inspiration and the rarest purity of spirit

1904 - Frederic Mistral, France. For the freshness and originality of poetic works that truly reflect the spirit of the people

José Echegaray y Eizagirre, Spain. For numerous services in the revival of the traditions of Spanish drama

1905 - Henryk Sienkiewicz, Poland. For outstanding services in the field of epic

1906 - Giosue Carducci, Italy. Not only for deep knowledge and a critical mind, but above all for creative energy, freshness of style and lyrical power characteristic of his poetic masterpieces.

1907 - Rudyard Kipling, UK. For observation, vivid imagination, maturity of ideas and outstanding storytelling talent

1908 - Rudolf Eiken, Germany. For the serious search for truth, the all-pervading power of thought, the broad outlook, liveliness and persuasiveness with which he defended and developed the idealist philosophy

1909 - Selma Lagerlöf, Sweden. As a tribute to the high idealism, vivid imagination and spiritual insight that distinguish all her works.

1910 - Paul Heise, Germany. For artistry, idealism, which he demonstrated throughout his long and productive career as a lyric poet, playwright, novelist, author of world-famous short stories

1911 - Maurice Maeterlinck, Belgium. For a multifaceted literary activity, and especially for dramatic works, which are marked by a wealth of imagination and poetic fantasy

1912 - Gerhart Hauptmann, Germany. First of all, in recognition of the fruitful, diverse and outstanding work in the field of dramatic art

1913 - Rabindranath Tagore, India. For deeply sensitive, original and beautiful poetry, in which his poetic thinking was expressed with exceptional skill, which became, according to him, part of the literature of the West

1915 - Romain Rolland, France. For high idealism works of art, for sympathy and love for the truth with which he describes various human types

1916 - Karl Heydenstam, Sweden. In recognition of his importance as the most prominent representative of the new era in world literature

1917 - Karl Gjellerup, Denmark. For diverse poetic creativity and lofty ideals

Henrik Pontoppidan, Denmark. For a true description of contemporary life in Denmark

1919 - Karl Spitteler, Switzerland. For the incomparable epic "Olympic Spring"

1920 - Knut Hamsun, Norway. For the monumental work "The Juices of the Earth" about the life of the Norwegian peasants, who retained their age-old attachment to the land and loyalty to patriarchal traditions

1921 - Anatole France, France. For brilliant literary achievements, marked by sophistication of style, deeply suffered humanism and a truly Gallic temperament

1922 - Jacinto Benavente y Martinez, Spain. For the brilliant skill with which he continued the glorious tradition of Spanish drama

1923 - William Yeats, Ireland. For inspired poetic creativity, conveying the national spirit in a highly artistic form

1924 - Vladislav Reymont, Poland. For the outstanding national epic - the novel "Men"

1925 - Bernard Shaw, UK. For creativity marked by idealism and humanism, for sparkling satire, which is often combined with exceptional poetic beauty

1926 - Grazia Deledda, Italy. For poetic writings that describe with plastic clarity the life of her native island, as well as for the depth of approach to human problems in general

1927 - Henri Bergson, France. In recognition of his bright and life-affirming ideas, as well as for the exceptional skill with which these ideas were embodied

1928 - Sigrid Unset, Norway. For a memorable description of the Scandinavian Middle Ages

1929 - Thomas Mann, Germany. First of all, for the great novel "Buddenbrooks", which has become a classic of modern literature, and whose popularity is steadily growing.

1930 - Sinclair Lewis, USA. For the powerful and expressive art of storytelling and for the rare ability to create new types and characters with satire and humor

1931 - Erik Karlfeldt, Sweden. For his poetry

1932 - John Galsworthy, UK. For the high art of storytelling, culminating in The Forsyte Saga

1933 - Ivan Bunin. For the rigorous skill with which he develops the traditions of Russian classical prose

1934 - Luigi Pirandello, Italy. For creative courage and ingenuity in the revival of drama and stage art

1936 - Eugene O'Neill, USA. For the power of influence, truthfulness and depth of dramatic works, interpreting the genre of tragedy in a new way

1937 - Roger Martin du Gard, France. For artistic power and truth in the depiction of man and the most essential aspects of modern life

1938 - Pearl Buck, USA. For a multifaceted, truly epic description of life Chinese peasants and for biographical masterpieces

1939 - Frans Sillanpää, Finland. For a deep insight into the life of the Finnish peasants and an excellent description of their customs and connection with nature

1944 - Vilhelm Jensen, Denmark. For the rare power and richness of poetic imagination, combined with intellectual curiosity and originality of creative style

1945 - Gabriela Mistral, Chile. For the poetry of true feeling, which made her name a symbol of idealistic aspiration for all of Latin America

1946 - Hermann Hesse, Switzerland. For inspirational art, in which the classical ideals of humanism are manifested, as well as for a brilliant style

1947 - André Gide, France. For deep and artistic significant works in which human problems are presented with a fearless love of truth and deep psychological insight

1948 - Thomas Eliot, UK. For outstanding pioneering contributions to modern poetry

1949 - William Faulkner, USA. For his significant and artistically unique contribution to the development of the modern American novel

1950 - Bertrand Russell, UK. To one of the most brilliant representatives of rationalism and humanism, a fearless fighter for freedom of speech and freedom of thought

1951 - Per Lagerkvist, Sweden. For the artistic power and absolute independence of judgment of the writer, who was looking for answers to the eternal questions facing humanity

1952 - Francois Mauriac, France. For deep spiritual insight and artistic power with which he reflected the drama of human life in his novels

1953 - Winston Churchill, UK. For the high mastery of works of a historical and biographical nature, as well as for brilliant oratory, with the help of which the highest human values ​​were defended

1954 - Ernest Hemingway, USA. For storytelling once again demonstrated in The Old Man and the Sea

1955 - Halldor Laxness, Iceland. For the brilliant epic power that revived the great storytelling art of Iceland

1956 - Juan Jimenez, Spain. For lyric poetry, an example of high spirit and artistic purity in Spanish poetry

1957 - Albert Camus, France. For his great contribution to literature, highlighting the importance of human conscience

1958 - Boris Pasternak, USSR. For significant achievements in modern lyric poetry, as well as for the continuation of the traditions of the great Russian epic novel

1959 - Salvatore Quasimodo, Italy. For lyric poetry which expresses with classical vivacity the tragic experience of our time

1960 - Saint-John Perse, France. For sublimity and imagery, which by means of poetry reflect the circumstances of our time

1961 - Ivo Andric, Yugoslavia. For the power of epic talent, which made it possible to fully reveal human fates and problems related to the history of his country

1962 - John Steinbeck, USA. For a realistic and poetic gift, combined with gentle humor and sharp social vision

1963 - Yorgos Seferis, Greece. For outstanding lyrical works filled with admiration for the world of the ancient Hellenes
1964 - Jean-Paul Sartre, France. For creativity rich in ideas, imbued with the spirit of freedom and the search for truth, which has had a huge impact on our time

1965 - Mikhail Sholokhov, USSR. For the artistic power and integrity of the epic about the Don Cossacks at a turning point for Russia

1966 - Shmuel Agnon, Israel. For deeply original storytelling inspired by Jewish folk motifs

Nelly Zaks, Sweden. For outstanding lyrical and dramatic works exploring the fate of the Jewish people

1967 - Miguel Asturias, Guatemala. For bright creative achievement, which is based on an interest in the customs and traditions of the Indians of Latin America

1968 - Yasunari Kawabata, Japan. For writing that conveys the essence of the Japanese mind

1969 - Samuel Beckett, Ireland. For innovative works in prose and drama, in which the tragedy of modern man becomes his triumph

1970 - Alexander Solzhenitsyn, USSR. For the moral strength with which he followed the immutable traditions of Russian literature

1971 - Pablo Neruda, Chile. For poetry that, with supernatural power, embodied the fate of an entire continent

1972 - Heinrich Böll, Germany. For his work, which combines a wide coverage of reality with the high art of creating characters and which has become a significant contribution to the revival of German literature

1973 - Patrick White, Australia. For the epic and psychological mastery that opened up a new literary continent

1974 - Eivind Junson, Sweden. For narrative art that sees through space and time and serves freedom

Harry Martinson, Sweden. For creativity, in which there is everything - from a drop of dew to space

1975 - Eugenio Montale, Italy. Per outstanding achievements in poetry, marked by great penetration and illumination of a truthful, without illusions, outlook on life

1976 - Saul Bellow, USA. For humanism and subtle analysis modern culture combined in his work

1977 - Vicente Aleisandre, Spain. For outstanding poetry, which reflects the position of man in space and modern society, and at the same time is a magnificent testimony to the revival of the traditions of Spanish poetry between the world wars

1978 - Isaac Bashevis-Singer, USA. For the emotional art of storytelling, which, rooted in Polish-Jewish cultural traditions raises eternal questions

1979 - Odysseas Elytis, Greece. For poetic creativity, which, in line with the Greek tradition, with sensual strength and intellectual insight, depicts the struggle of modern man for freedom and independence

1980 - Czeslaw Miloš Poland. For showing with fearless clairvoyance the insecurity of man in a world torn apart by conflicts

1981 - Elias Canetti, UK. For his great contribution to literature, highlighting the importance of human conscience

1982 - Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Colombia. For novels and short stories that combine fantasy and reality to reflect the life and conflicts of an entire continent

1983 - William Golding, UK. For novels that address the essence of human nature and the problem of evil, they are all united by the idea of ​​the struggle for survival

1984 - Yaroslav Seifert, Czechoslovakia. For poetry that is fresh, sensual and imaginative, and testifies to the independence of the spirit and the versatility of man

1985 - Claude Simon, France. For the combination of poetic and pictorial principles in his work

1986 Wole Shoyinka, Nigeria. For creating a theater of great cultural perspective and poetry

1987 - Joseph Brodsky, USA. For comprehensive creativity, saturated with clarity of thought and passion of poetry

1988 - Naguib Mahfouz, Egypt. For the realism and richness of an Arabic story that has meaning for all mankind

1989 - Camilo Cela, Spain. For expressive and powerful prose that sympathetically and touchingly describes human frailties.

1990 - Octavio Paz, Mexico. For biased all-encompassing writings marked by sensory intelligence and humanistic integrity

1991 - Nadine Gordimer, South Africa. For the fact that with her magnificent epic has brought great benefits to mankind

1992 - Derek Walcott, Saint Lucia. For vivid poetic creativity, full of historicism and being the result of devotion to culture in all its diversity

1993 - Toni Morrison, USA. For bringing to life an important aspect of American reality in her dream-filled and poetic novels

1994 - Kenzaburo Oe, Japan. For creating with poetic force an imaginary world in which reality and myth, combined, present a disturbing picture of today's human misfortunes.

1995 - Seamus Heaney, Ireland. For the lyrical beauty and ethical depth of poetry, which reveals amazing everyday life and the reviving past

1996 - Wislawa Szymborska, Poland. For poetry that describes historical and biological phenomena in the context of human reality with the utmost accuracy

1997 - Dario Fo, Italy. For the fact that he, inheriting medieval jesters, condemns power and authority and defends the dignity of the oppressed

1998 - José Saramago, Portugal. For works that, using parables, supported by imagination, compassion and irony, make it possible to understand an illusory reality

1999 - Günther Grass, Germany. For the fact that his playful and gloomy parables illuminate the forgotten image of history

2000 - Gao Xingjian, France. For works universal significance marked by bitterness for the position of man in the modern world

2001 - Vidiadhar Naipaul, UK. For uncompromising honesty, which makes us think about facts that are not usually discussed

2002 - Imre Kertesz, Hungary. For the fact that in his work Kertesz answers the question of how an individual can continue to live and think in an era when society is increasingly subjugating the individual

2003 - John Coetzee, South Africa. For creating countless faces of amazing situations involving outsiders

2004 - Elfriede Jelinek, Austria. For musical voices and echoes in novels and plays that, with extraordinary linguistic zeal, reveal the absurdity of social clichés and their enslaving power

2005 - Harold Pinter, UK. For the fact that in his plays he opens up the abyss that lies under the bustle of everyday life, and invades the dungeons of oppression

2006 - Orhan Pamuk, Turkey. For being in search of a melancholic soul hometown found new symbols for the collision and interweaving of cultures

2007 - Doris Lessing, UK. For a skeptical, passionate and visionary insight into the experience of women

2008 - Gustave Leklezio, France, Mauritius. For writing "of new directions, poetic adventures, sensual raptures", Leklesio is "an explorer of humanity beyond the boundaries of a ruling civilization"

2009 - Herta Müller, Germany. With concentration in poetry and sincerity in prose, he describes the life of the disadvantaged

2010 - Mario Vargas Llosa, Spain. For cartography of power structures and vivid images of resistance, rebellion and individual defeat

2011 - Tumas Transtromer, Sweden. For accurate and rich imagery that gave readers a new perspective on the real world.

2012 - Mo Yan, China. For its mind-blowing realism that unites folk tales with modernity

2013 - Alice Manr, Canada. Master of the Modern Short Story

Only five Russian writers have been awarded the prestigious international Nobel Prize. For three of them, this brought not only worldwide fame, but also widespread persecution, repression and exile. Only one of them was approved by the Soviet government, and its last owner was "forgiven" and invited to return to his homeland.

Nobel Prize- one of the most prestigious awards, which is awarded annually for outstanding Scientific research, significant inventions and significant contributions to the culture and development of society. One comical but not accidental story is connected with its establishment. It is known that the founder of the award - Alfred Nobel - is also famous for the fact that it was he who invented dynamite (pursuing, nevertheless, pacifist goals, since he believed that opponents armed to the teeth would understand all the stupidity and senselessness of the war and stop the conflict). When his brother Ludwig Nobel died in 1888, and the newspapers erroneously "buried" Alfred Nobel, calling him a "merchant of death", the latter seriously thought about how his society would remember him. As a result of these reflections, in 1895 Alfred Nobel changed his will. And it said the following:

“All my movable and immovable property must be turned into liquid values ​​by my executors, and the capital thus collected is placed in a reliable bank. The income from investments should belong to the fund, which will distribute them annually in the form of bonuses to those who during the previous year have brought the greatest benefit to mankind ... Indicated percentages must be divided into five equal parts, which are intended: one part - to the one who makes the most important discovery or invention in the field of physics; the other to the one who makes the most important discovery or improvement in the field of chemistry; the third - to the one who will make the most important discovery in the field of physiology or medicine; the fourth - to the one who creates the most outstanding literary work idealistic direction; fifth - to the one who will make the most significant contribution to the rallying of nations, the abolition of slavery or the reduction in the number of existing armies and the promotion of peace congresses ... My particular desire is that the nationality of candidates should not be taken into account when awarding prizes ... ".

Medal awarded to Nobel laureate

After conflicts with Nobel's "deprived" relatives, the executors of his will - the secretary and the lawyer - established the Nobel Foundation, whose duties included organizing the delivery of bequeathed prizes. A separate institution was established to award each of the five prizes. So, Nobel Prize Literature was included in the competence of the Swedish Academy. Since then, the Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded annually since 1901, except for 1914, 1918, 1935 and 1940-1943. It is interesting that upon delivery Nobel Prize only the names of the laureates are announced, all other nominations are kept secret for 50 years.

Swedish Academy building

Despite the apparent lack of commitment Nobel Prize, dictated by the philanthropic instructions of Nobel himself, many "left" political forces still see obvious politicization and some Western cultural chauvinism in the award of the prize. It is hard not to notice that the vast majority of Nobel laureates come from the USA and European countries (more than 700 laureates), while the number of laureates from the USSR and Russia is much smaller. Moreover, there is a point of view that most of the Soviet laureates were awarded the prize only for criticizing the USSR.

Nevertheless, this five Russian writers - laureates Nobel Prize on literature:

Ivan Alekseevich Bunin- Laureate of 1933. The prize was awarded "For the strict skill with which he develops the traditions of Russian classical prose." Bunin received the award while in exile.

Boris Leonidovich Pasternak- Laureate in 1958. The prize was awarded "For significant achievements in modern lyric poetry, as well as for the continuation of the traditions of the great Russian epic novel." This award is associated with the anti-Soviet novel "Doctor Zhivago", therefore, in the face of severe persecution, Pasternak is forced to refuse it. The medal and diploma were awarded to the writer's son Eugene only in 1988 (the writer died in 1960). Interestingly, in 1958, this was the seventh attempt to present the prestigious award to Pasternak.

Mikhail Aleksandrovich Sholokhov- Laureate in 1965. The prize was awarded "For the artistic power and integrity of the epic about the Don Cossacks at a turning point for Russia." This award has a long history. Back in 1958, a delegation of the Union of Writers of the USSR, who visited Sweden, countered the European popularity of Pasternak with the international popularity of Sholokhov, and in a telegram to the Soviet ambassador in Sweden dated 04/07/1958 it was said:

“It would be desirable, through cultural figures close to us, to make it clear to the Swedish public that the Soviet Union would highly appreciate the award Nobel Prize Sholokhov ... It is also important to make it clear that Pasternak, as a writer, is not recognized by Soviet writers and progressive writers in other countries.

Contrary to this recommendation, Nobel Prize in 1958, it was nevertheless awarded to Pasternak, which led to severe disapproval of the Soviet government. But in 1964 from Nobel Prize Jean-Paul Sartre refused, explaining this, among other things, by his personal regret that Sholokhov was not awarded the prize. It was this gesture of Sartre that predetermined the choice of the laureate in 1965. Thus, Mikhail Sholokhov became the only Soviet writer who received Nobel Prize with the consent of the top leadership of the USSR.

Alexander Isaevich Solzhenitsyn- Laureate in 1970. The prize was awarded "For the moral strength with which he followed the immutable traditions of Russian literature." Only 7 years passed from the beginning of Solzhenitsyn's creative path to the award of the prize - this is the only such case in the history of the Nobel Committee. Solzhenitsyn himself spoke about the political aspect of awarding him the prize, but the Nobel Committee denied this. Nevertheless, after Solzhenitsyn received the prize, a propaganda campaign was organized against him in the USSR, and in 1971 an attempt was made to physically destroy him, when he was injected with a poisonous substance, after which the writer survived, but was ill for a long time.

Joseph Alexandrovich Brodsky- Laureate in 1987. The prize was awarded "For comprehensive creativity, saturated with clarity of thought and passion of poetry." The award of the prize to Brodsky no longer caused such controversy as many other decisions of the Nobel Committee, since Brodsky was known in many countries by that time. He himself, in the very first interview after he was awarded the prize, said: "It was received by Russian literature, and it was received by a citizen of America." And even the weakened Soviet government, shaken by perestroika, began to establish contacts with the famous exile.