Big general disappointment: following the scandal of the #MeToo movement, the Swedish Academy has decided to suspend the Nobel Prize in Literature for 2018.A very rare event, which has occurred only five times in more than a century of history.
It is a real crisis: eighteen women have published testimonies sexually implicating Jean-Claude Arnault, a French photographer married to the poet Katarina Frostenson, a member of the Academy. In addition to accusations of violence or sexual harassment, the influential Jean-Claude Arnault also allegedly leaked information about potential winners on numerous occasions, fueling bookmakers who take bets on winners. Result: no Nobel Prize in Literature in 2018.
Sara Danius, perpetual secretary, as well as five other members (out of 18), even resigned. Yet, normally, members of the Academy are appointed for life, but King Carl Gustaf XVI had to intervene urgently to change the rules. From now on, it is possible for them to resign to be replaced. Part of the preliminary investigation against the Frenchman was dismissed due to prescription or lack of evidence. These are alleged rapes and assaults committed in 2013 and 2015. The unclassified facts have not been disclosed to date.
It seems that the #MeToo scandal has no borders; Let's just hope that current events don't replace literary tradition.
