The Swedish Nobel Foundation made a quick 360-degree turn. On August 31, he abolished discrimination against the embassies of Russia, Belarus and Iran, introduced in 2022, and announced that this year all ambassadors accredited in Stockholm will be invited on December 10 to the award ceremony in physics, chemistry, medicine and physiology, literature and economics. Followed by a banquet and a concert.

The generosity was explained by "a belief in the importance and correctness of disseminating the values and messages that the Nobel Prize stands for as widely as possible." Defending their decision, the organizers noted that "the Nobel Foundation is the opposite of polarization, nationalism and populism."

Which, in general, even corresponded to the spirit of Nobel's will, which was announced in 1897. Nobel's last will was to reward "those who, during the previous year, had brought the greatest benefit to humanity." Moreover, "my special desire is that when awarding prizes, the nationality of candidates is not taken into account and that the most worthy receive it."

Although the will did not say anything about the ceremony in the Stockholm City Hall, the general meaning of the document did not imply the division of diplomatic representatives into lambs and goats. It was more about rallying peoples.

But then the fund began to straighten their brains.

The first to speak were the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Estonia and Ukraine: the number of prizes received by the representatives of these countries, as well as the outstanding successes achieved by them in physics, chemistry, physiology, literature and peacemaking, give them an undoubted right to do so.

Estonian Foreign Minister little Zaches, that is, Tsahkna, strictly pointed out: "We are united on the issue of isolating Russians and Belarusians in the international arena, but in Moscow and Minsk there is still hope for a friendly signal from the West. We must leave this mistake in the past. No official from these countries should be invited to the Nobel Prize ceremony."

Indeed, if the ban on Russia (what does Belarus have to do with it, I'm tired of asking) in other areas, for example, in sports, has already become a generally accepted practice, which also includes the non-admission of official representatives, then how should the award, for example, in physics, differ?

This position of cancellation was supported by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who said that he would not invite Russia if he were responsible for the event, as well as a number of leaders of the Riksdag. Estonia and Ukraine were a moral tuning fork for them.

After that, the Nobel Foundation succumbed to polarization, nationalism and populism and abandoned its two-day position as erroneous and apolitical.

The order of 2022 has been confirmed, and, most likely, it is not the fate of the ambassadors to put on a tailcoat on December 10 and eat ice cream in the town hall: "Catechumens, get out."

Although there is some discrepancy here. The ceremony in Oslo, where the Peace Prize will be awarded on the 10th, will be held without a culture of cancellation, diplomats from disputed countries can attend it. This is not chemistry or physiology, where it is impossible, the struggle for peace is possible. Of course, there can be subtle mockery here. In Oslo this year, Zelensky or the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate Budanov may also be awarded - as the one who "made the most significant contribution to the rallying of nations, the reduction of the number of existing armies and the promotion of peace congresses." And the public gathered in Oslo will be pleased to see how Russian officials writhe.

Although the Zelensky Peace Prize is only from the category of hypotheses. Maybe they won't want to get dirty.

Here, rather, something else is interesting. There is only a month left before Nobel Week, when the names of this year's laureates are announced in early October. Usually, at this time, forecasts are already in full swing and bets are being made. Totalizator.

In the same year, there was complete silence. Not only about medical and physico-chemical awards. Here, the players do not understand much and at the same time, more importantly, they realize the depth of their ignorance. But after all, in terms of literary and prizes of the world, where everyone is a connoisseur and where ambition collides, nothing is heard there either. The contrast with previous years is striking.

It seems that the award is becoming part of yesterday's world and is losing its relevance before our eyes. Then, indeed, interest in it can only be fueled by the somersaults of the Nobel Foundation and the formidable demarches of the Estonian baby Tsakhes. And even then it is not too heated.

It remains to be hoped that at least the ice cream in the town hall, as in the old days, is served with high quality.

The author's point of view may not coincide with the position of the editorial board.