Nobel Banquet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nobel BanquetNobelfesten
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2005 Nobel Banquet
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| Genre | Banquet |
| Date(s) | 10 December |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Venue | Blue Hall, Stockholm City Hall |
| Location(s) | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Country | Sweden |
| Inaugurated | 10 December 1901 |
The Nobel Banquet (called Nobelfesten in Swedish) is a very special yearly dinner. It happens on December 10th in the Blue Hall at Stockholm City Hall in Sweden. This grand event takes place right after the important Nobel Prize ceremony. Guests wear formal clothes for the banquet. They enjoy a fancy multi-course meal and watch live entertainment. After dinner, everyone can dance in the beautiful Golden Hall. The whole event is shown live on TV and radio in Sweden and in many other countries. Lots of people watch it every year.
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History of the Nobel Banquet
The very first Nobel Banquet was held in 1901. Only 113 men were invited to this first dinner. Until 1923, it was known as the Nobel Dinner (Nobelmiddagen). For many years, until 1930, the banquet took place at Stockholm's Grand Hôtel Royal. It was also held in the Golden Hall of the Swedish Academy sometimes.
Who Attends the Banquet?
Today, about 1,300 guests come to the Nobel Banquet. This includes the Swedish royal family. Around 200 students are also invited to join the celebration. The main host of the banquet is the head of the Nobel Foundation. This person always sits at the special royal table.
Speeches and Toasts
During the dinner, which usually lasts about four hours, each Nobel Prize winner gives a speech. These speeches are often fun and lighthearted. There are also two special ceremonial toasts. One toast is given to honor the Swedish monarch. The monarch then makes a toast to remember Alfred Nobel, who created the prizes. A special person called a "toastmaster" leads these speeches and toasts. This job is usually held by a Swedish student for four years.
Behind the Scenes: Food and Flowers
Many people work hard to make the banquet perfect. Waiting staff, chefs, and others are trained for several weeks. They make sure everything runs smoothly. Since the 1970s, the beautiful flowers for the banquet have come from the Italian city of Sanremo. This is where Alfred Nobel lived during his final years. The flowers are grown in the province of Imperia in the Liguria region of Italy.
Recent Changes and Cancellations
In 2020, the Nobel Banquet was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first time the banquet had been cancelled since 1956. The banquet in 2021 was also postponed due to the pandemic. In 2022, the banquet returned after a two-year break. For the 2022 event, some ambassadors to Sweden were not invited to join the banquet.
Dress Code for the Event
The Nobel Banquet is a very formal event. For men, the dress code is white tie. This means they wear a black tailcoat, white shirt, and white bow tie. They also wear any orders or decorations they have received.
See also
