Hungarian author Laszlo Krasznahorkai was announced as the recipient of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature by the Swedish Academy. The prestigious award, valued at 11 million crowns, was described by Mats Malm, the Swedish Academy’s permanent secretary, as a recognition of Krasznahorkai’s remarkable body of work that emphasizes the enduring influence of art amidst turbulent times.
Krasznahorkai, aged 71, previously acclaimed for winning the Man Booker International Prize, gained widespread recognition for his renowned novel, “The Melancholy of Resistance,” which received the German Bestenliste Prize in 1989. Noted American critic Susan Sontag hailed Krasznahorkai as a leading figure in contemporary literature, referring to him as the “master of the apocalypse.”
In an interview on the Nobel website, Krasznahorkai expressed his surprise and pride at being honored alongside other esteemed writers and poets. While in Germany, he shared plans to celebrate with friends by preparing dinner paired with port wine and champagne.
Despite past criticisms of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister congratulated Krasznahorkai on his achievement. Krasznahorkai, born in Gyula, Hungary, has drawn inspiration from diverse settings, including central Europe, China, and Japan, enriching his literary narratives with profound cultural influences from his travels.
One of his breakthrough works, “Satantango,” resonated with Hungarian audiences as it depicted the societal impact of communism’s agricultural policies. Krasznahorkai, reflecting on his writing journey, emphasized his continuous pursuit of improvement, acknowledging the profound influence of Franz Kafka’s “The Castle” on his literary style.
Krasznahorkai’s fruitful collaboration with acclaimed Hungarian filmmaker Bela Tarr has led to several successful film adaptations of his works, including “Satantango” and “The Werckmeister Harmonies.” The Nobel Prize in Literature has historically recognized notable figures such as George Bernard Shaw, Ernest Hemingway, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez, with recent laureates including Canadian Alice Munro and South Korean Han Kang.
Krasznahorkai’s achievement marks the second time a Hungarian writer has received the Nobel Prize in Literature, following Imre Kertesz in 2002. The Nobel Prizes ceremony is scheduled for December 10, honoring the legacy of Alfred Nobel, with the Nobel Peace Prize announcement set for the following day and the Nobel Prize in economics recipient to be disclosed on Monday.
