On Saturday, Swedish media reported that Academy member Per Wastberg had said that if Dylan remained silent, it would be "rude and arrogant". "The Swedish Academy has never held a view on a prize winners decision in this context, neither will it now, regardless of the decision reached." The Academy gave 75-year-old Dylan the prize for "having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition". Others have complained that the Swedish Academy missed an opportunity to bring attention to lesser-known artists. The Academy said his refusal did not affect the validity of the award, but they would not be able to give it to him.

Source: dna October 23, 2016 04:30 UTC