"The Prize Gives Hope"
Yesterday, it was announced that this year’s Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to South African judge Navi Pillay for her efforts to promote peace and international law. When the prize was announced, she was sitting in the very courtroom where the Nuremberg trials took place after the Second World War.
On Saturday, she joined an event at the Nobel Peace Center via video link from Germany. Jørgen Watne Frydnes, Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, asked her what it was like to receive the news of the award in such a historic setting.
“As I was sitting in courtroom 600, I see that we are continuing the work that started here in Nurnberg, in such a way that we are delivering anew on the “never again promise”
The cry for justice didn’t end in the 1940s. People want justice now. And many see this award as a support for that call for justice”, Navi Pillay answered.
Nobel Peace Prize diploma unveiled
During the event at the Nobel Peace Center, the artwork that will feature on this year’s Nobel Peace Prize diploma was unveiled. It was created by renowned Norwegian contemporary artist Sverre Bjertnæs.
“I think the motif is very fitting for this year’s laureate,” said the artist, who was present at the unveiling. He was commissioned to create the artwork before the identity of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize laureate was known and was eager to find out who would receive the diploma. “The motif is about a new beginning, and about how fragile peace is,” said Sverre Bjertnæs.
Following the unveiling, Jørgen Watne Frydnes gave a talk on the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Navi Pillay, followed by a panel discussion with experts. The entire event is available to watch on the Nobel Peace Center’s website.
ABOUT THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE DIPLOMA
The diploma, presented together with the medal at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony on 10 December, consists of an original artwork by a Norwegian contemporary artist accompanied by calligraphed text.
The original diploma was designed by Gerhard Munthe. From 1970 to 1990, the diploma featured a woodcut by Ørnulf Ranheimsæter. Since 1991, the diploma has been given a new design each year featuring an original work of art. The first of these diplomas was designed by Karl Erik Harr, and since then prominent artists including Håkon Bleken, Jakob Weidemann, Vanessa Baird and Håkon Gullvåg have contributed artworks.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Sverre Koren Bjertnæs was born in Trondheim in 1976. At the age of sixteen, he became a pupil of Odd Nerdrum and later studied at the Norwegian National Academy of Fine Arts.
He is regarded as one of Norway’s leading contemporary artists and has gained international recognition over the past decade. Bjertnæs exhibits regularly both in Norway and internationally. His use of literary and art-historical references has given his work a distinctive visual language and made him one of Norway’s most sought-after artists. He has collaborated with prominent Norwegian artists including Håkon Bleken and Bjarne Melgaard.
About the Nobel Peace Center
- one of Norway's most visited museums, with more than 200.000 visitors per year, including school groups
- presents the story of Alfred Nobel, the Nobel Peace Prize laureates and their work
- is situated in the heart of Oslo, near the City Hall
- Kjersti Fløgstad is the Executive Director, Kristian Berg Harpviken is Chair of the Board
- Main partners are Hydro, Reitan Retail and EY
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Press contact
Ingvill Bryn Rambøl
ibr@nobelpeacecenter.org
Phone: +47 924 52 944