John BanvilleIrish writer, assured this Tuesday that “they should recover” the Nobel Prize in Literature awarded to the South Korean Han Kangfor his decision not to celebrate the award while people die in wars. “That was idiotic and childish and she made a fool of herself.”he declared.
In a meeting with journalists in the Prado Museum in Madridwhere he went to the second edition of the International Writers Residency “Write the Prado”, the author of ‘Return to Birchwood’ and ‘Mrs Osmond’ He admitted that he has not read any of Han Kang’s books.
“At my age I only reread or read very good new things,” said the writer, 78 years old. “Artists have the responsibility to be responsible in the world and “Don’t make stupid statements, don’t be childish, or be self-indulgent.”Banville added.
“We are ordinary human beings like everyone else, but we represent a great human project that is an art project and it is up to us to maintain it,” he alleged.
According to Banville, writers do not have to “be solemn”, but “be serious”which is why he launched this criticism that he himself regretted: “I have already condemned myself to controversy.”
The writer Han Kang, Nobel Prize in Literature 2024, has decided not to make any media appearance nor participate in celebrations on the occasion of that award while there are wars in the world, according to his father, also the author Han Seung-won, after the award was announced last Friday.
FP
