The Nobel Prize in Literature for the year 2025 was awarded to the Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai “.

The Laureate and Recognition

• Recipient: László Krasznahorkai, a 71-year-old novelist and screenwriter from Hungary.
• Background: He is the second Hungarian to receive the prize (after Imre Kertész in 2002). 
  • He has previously won the Man Booker Prize (2015) and the Kossuth Prize (2004).
• Upbringing: Born in 1954, he grew up in rural Hungary during a time of State Socialism where the environment was oppressive and repressive. This atmosphere gave him a deep understanding of societal collapse and decline.
• Style: Krasznahorkai is known for his unique prose, writing exceptionally long sentences
• Official Citation: He received the award for his “singular prose that in the midst of apocalyptic terror reaffirms the power of art”.
• Award Basis: The prize is given by the Swedish Academy for an author’s entire life’s work.

Notable Works

• Sátántangó (Satan Tango) (1985): A false leader’s return plunges a desolate village into social and moral collapse.
• The Melancholy of Resistance (1989): A mysterious circus triggers chaos, exposing the town’s fragile social order.
• War and War (1999): A man believes preserving an ancient manuscript is key to saving humanity amid isolation and conflict.

Significance of the Award

• Victory of Slow Art: The choice of Krasznahorkai is seen as a victory for “slow art” over the modern culture of short attention spans as his work demands deep patience and engagement.
• Contemporary Relevance: His themes of collapse and crisis (relevant to modern wars, climate change, and political instability) ensure his work holds high contemporary relevance.
• Power of Language: His writing reminds us of the depth and strength of language, contrasting with its common use today for speed, negative thought, and spectacle

DOWNLOAD PDF