The Nobel Peace Prize - In Honor Of Malala

The Nobel Peace Prize – In Honor Of Malala

Arguably the most renowned prize in the world, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded annually since 1901 for that person(s) or organization who “done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses. ” Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor, chemist, engineer, and arms manufacturer, who is best known for his invention of dynamite, created the Nobel Peace Prize. The prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, a group of five people, who are named by the Norwegian Parliament.

The Prize is presented on December 10^th (on the anniversary of Nobel’s death) at the Oslo City Hall. The Chairman of the Nobel Committee in the presence of the King of Norway presents the prize to the recipient. The recipient also receives $1,000,000 as a financial award.

The Oslo City Hall began construction in 1931, and was not finished until 1950. Its completion was delayed by World War II. This large brick structure sits on the water is a bit proletariat. The interior is magnificent. The cavernous, main hall where the Prize has been presented since 1990 is covered in historical murals.

The hall where the Nobel Peace Prize is presented

A Munch painting in the background

The Prize for many decades was primarily the domain of white European males. The 1960s ushered greater diversity both ethnically and geographically. The Prize has also been subject to ongoing controversy both for its omissions as well as recipients. Two well known omissions are Mahatma Gandhi and Vaclav Havel. Controversy has colored the awarding of the Prize to recipients such as Menachem Begin & Yasser Arafat and Liu Xiaobo. Liu is a Chinese rights activist who was jailed by the Chinese government when awarded the prize. The news was met by anger by the Chinese government and the news was blacked out. His wife was placed under house arrest.

The empty seat of Chinese rights activist, Liu

This year, the Prize was awarded to two individuals, Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi. Malala at 17 is the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. She entered the mainstream media when she was the subject of a failed assassination attempt by the Taliban in 2012. She survived a headshot wound. Malala is a child education activist. Kailash hails from neighboring India. Kailash not as well known internationally has been campaigning for child rights for decades.

Within walking distance of the City Hall is the Nobel Peace Prize Museum. Well worth the visit in conjunction with your visit to City Hall.