Academy calls Bob Dylan ‘arrogant’ for snubbing Nobel Prize

A member of the Swedish Academy called American singer Bob Dylan “arrogant” for snubbing the Nobel Prize for literature awarded to him two weeks ago.

Per Wastberg, a member of the academy who made the decision to award Dylan the prize, criticized the musician in the Saturday, Oct. 22, edition of Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter.

“One can say that it is impolite and arrogant. He is who he is,” Wastberg said.

Since the academy announced Dylan’s award Oct. 13, they have been unsuccessful in attempts to reach him and the singer has avoided media attempts to get a comment.

Dylan is the first musician in the 115-year history of the Nobel Prize to win the award for literature.

“We have agreed not to lift a finger. The ball lies entirely on his half," Wastberg said. "You can speculate as much as you want but we don't.”

Dylan’s unprecedented silence in the face of the Nobel Prize has garnered international media attention. Earlier this month, a change was made to a page on Dylan’s website acknowledging the prize, briefly mentioning that he is a “winner of the Nobel prize in literature.” However, the sentence was removed less than 24 hours later.

According to the Swedish Academy, Dylan earned the award for “having created new poetic expression within the great American song tradition.” Known as the poet of rock, Dylan’s lyrics are famed for their moral messages and political allusions.

He has also sold camping gear, published books of poetry and prose, including Tarantula, Writings and Drawings and multiple collections of lyrics.

Although Dylan’s silence has received heavy criticism, he is not the first to avoid attention or acknowledgement. In 2013, Alice Munro skipped the ceremony citing health concerns, as did Harold Pinter in 2005. In 2004, Elfriede Jelinek cited social phobia for missing the ceremony.

Only two recipients have rejected the award. In 1958, Boris Pasternark was pressured by the Soviet government to reject his Nobel Prize and in 1964 Jean-Paul Sartre, who has a history of rejecting accolades, turned it down as well.