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Krasznahorkai Uses Nobel Address to Lament Spent Hope, Decry Tech’s Hold on Time

The Hungarian novelist centered his rare Stockholm appearance on the dignity of people at the margins.

Overview

  • Speaking in Hungarian, László Krasznahorkai said his reserves of hope are exhausted and shifted to a meditation on “new angels” who have no wings or message.
  • He criticized “the Elon Musks of this world,” accusing powerful tech figures of organizing people’s space and time with destabilizing plans.
  • Much of the address focused on those living on society’s margins, including an anecdote about a homeless man in the Berlin metro to probe dignity, rebellion and social judgment.
  • The appearance drew attention because the author had recently curtailed public events for health reasons, canceling planned stops in Barcelona and Frankfurt.
  • Nobel ceremonies are scheduled for December 10, and the Norwegian Nobel Institute says Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado is expected to receive her award in Oslo.