Nobel Peace Prize 2009

The US President was awarded the prize for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has attached special importance to Obama’s vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons.

In its official statement regarding the award of the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 to Barack Obama, the Committee stated:

Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future.

Award ceremony

President Obama gave a 35-minute-long speech before an audience of nearly 1,000 at a formal ceremony at Oslo City Hall. This is the 108th time the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded.

Norwegian opera singer Solveig Kringlebotn and Norwegian pianist Håvard Gimse performed at the award ceremony, as did two of the performers at this year’s Nobel Peace Prize Concert, jazz artist Esperanza Spalding and Chinese master pianist Lang Lang.

Audience

Earlier on Thursday President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were granted an audience at the Royal Palace. They were received by King Harald and Queen Sonja in the Bird Room and escorted to the King’s office. Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were also in attendance.

Save the Children’s Peace Prize Party

On the morning of 10 December, 4,000 children gathered at Rådhusplassen near Oslo City Hall to attend the Save the Children’s Peace Prize Party. They looked on as Crown Princess Mette-Marit lit a flame for peace with 12-year-old Margrete from Karuss school in Kristiansand.

Nobel Banquet at the Grand Hotel

On the evening of 10 December, the King and Queen attended the Nobel Banquet in the Mirror Room at the Grand Hotel in honour of the laureate. Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were also in attendance, as were 250 guests.

According to tradition, the annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert will be held on 11 December in Oslo Spektrum. A musical tribute to the year’s prizewinner, the concert features performers from around the world. The concert will be attended by Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith will co-host the Nobel Peace Prize Concert.