Economic sciences laureate Robert Mundell turned his banquet speech into a song. Credit: The Nobel Foundation 1999

They did it their way

One unexpected duty that new laureates may find awaiting them is the requirement to give an after-dinner speech at the Nobel Prize banquet in Stockholm on 10 December. These speeches are traditionally delivered by just one of the laureates from each prize category. 

The archive of these banquet speeches is a treasure trove, offering insights into the personality of the laureates and wide-ranging reflections on their work, the Nobel Prize and its meaning. At the 1999 banquet, Robert Mundell, economic sciences laureate, turned his speech into a song aimed at his two-year-old son when encouraging him to go his own way. Watch and read his speech

“You will be dead before you get there” 

Ada Yonath gave special thanks to her driver in Stockholm. Credit: The Nobel Foundation 2009, Photo: Orasisfoto

Ada Yonath, awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for uncovering the structure of the ribosome, described in her speech the predictions she met from other scientists during her research work.

“To my satisfaction, these predictions were proven wrong, the ribosomes are alive and kicking (so am I),” she said.

Yonath concluded her speech somewhat unexpectedly, by thanking just one person: her designated driver during her visit to Stockholm. Watch and read her speech 

Watch Geoffrey Hinton's 2024 banquet speech.

A warning on the dangers of AI

Geoffrey Hinton, 2024 physics laureate, painted a dark picture in his banquet speech. The rapid progress in AI comes with many short-term risks, he warned, before concluding: “We urgently need research on how to prevent these new beings from wanting to take control. They are no longer science fiction.” Watch and read his speech

In an emotional banquet speech, J. M. Coetzee, 2003 literature laureate, took the opportunity to honour his parents, and especially his mother:

J. M. Coetzee delivering an emotional speech. Photo: Copyright © Sveriges Television AB 2003;Sveriges Television AB (production)

“My mother would have been bursting with pride. My son the Nobel Prize winner. And for whom, anyway, do we do the things that lead to Nobel Prizes if not for our mothers?” Watch and read his speech

Watch Donna Strickland's 2018 banquet speech.

The fun in physics

In her speech, 2018 physics laureate Donna Strickland described her love of physics: solving puzzles about the universe, playing with high intensity lasers, and having fun at work.

Strickland described the unforgettable moment in her lab when she reached a breakthrough in her work with laser pulses. “It is truly an amazing feeling when you know that you have built something that no one else ever has – and it actually works.” Watch and read her speech

“Find passion in your work” 

Barry J. Marshall. Copyright © Nobel Prize Outreach 2005;Sveriges Television (production)

2005 medicine laureate Barry J. Marshall, one of two researchers who discovered that peptic ulcers are caused by a bacterial infection of the stomach, gave advice to aspiring scientists.

“So work hard, keep balance in your life and, just in case, always be nice to Swedish people.”  Watch and read his speech 

Monthly quiz

How old?

Since 1901, the Nobel Prizes have been presented to the laureates at ceremonies on 10 December, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death. Do you know how old Alfred Nobel was when he passed away? Make a guess and click to submit your answer. 

Interested in learning more?

Discover more Nobel Prize stories at nobelprize.org.

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