This year, the Nobel Foundation will invite Russia and Belarus to the celebrations

This year, unlike last year, official representatives of Russia, Belarus and Iran have been invited to a banquet in Stockholm on the occasion of the awarding of the Nobel Prizes. This was reported by the Nobel Foundation, noting that it strives for dialogue even on the topic of those who do not share the values ​​associated with the Nobel Prizes.

Last year, the ambassadors of Russia and Belarus were not invited to solemn events in connection with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Iran was not invited due to the brutal suppression of protests after the death of the activist.

The invitation was also first sent to the leader of the far-right party “Swedish Democrats”, Jimma Akesson. However, he has already rejected the ego.

The Nobel Foundation announced that the invitees include representatives of all countries that have diplomatic representation in Sweden, as well as political forces elected to parliament in democratic elections (this refers to the “Swedish Democrats”). The executive director of the Nobel Foundation, Vidar Helgesen, said that the space for dialogue between people with different views has been narrowing in the world recently. “In order to resist this tendency, we are now expanding the number of our guests to celebrate and understand the Nobel Prize, as well as the importance of free science, free culture and free, peaceful societies.”

The decision to re-invite official representatives of Russia has sparked criticism, including in Sweden, the BBC notes.

The Russian Embassy has not yet commented on the decision of the Nobel Foundation.

The winners of the Nobel Prizes are traditionally announced in early October, and the prizes are awarded in December. Five of the six prizes are awarded in Stockholm, and only the world prize is awarded in the capital of Norway, Oslo. Last year, among the laureates of the Nobel Peace Prize was the Russian human rights society “Memorial”, which opposes the war in Ukraine.