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Nobel Lecture
László Krasznahorkai:
Expected Focus Points
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Najam-uddin Ahmad
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László Krasznahorkai often makes the statement that imagination/fantasy is a vital force for survival in difficult times; and that the modern world is characterized by an ongoing, unchanging state of despair and human folly, where even high culture is being destroyed by market forces.
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While, awarding Nobel Prize in Literature 2025, the Nobel Prize Organization recognised the Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai in these words: “for his compelling and visionary oeuvre that, in the midst of apocalyptic terror, reaffirms the power of art”.
László Krasznahorkai has written five novels and won numerous other literary prizes, including the 2015 Man Booker International Prize. Also, Best Translated Book Award(BTBA) in Fiction 2013 for his first novel “Satantango”—postmodern work about the end of world. His books reflect a deep skepticism about the possibility of meaningful action in the face of systemic crisis, other than the act of creating a record through art.
Although right after the announcement of the prize, László Krasznahorkai recorded his reaction to Jenny Rydén, representative of the Nobel Prize Organization, “I’m very proud to be in the line of some really great writers and poets”. And later, talking to the Swedish broadcaster Sveriges Radio he said, “Very happy, I’m calm and very nervous altogether.” But here, I want discerning the expected major points in the coming Nobel Lecture of László Krasznahorkai—December 10, 2025. As, a man always speaks thoughts govern him, which he commonly shows in his conversations. And, we have also noticed this factor earlier in the lectures of the Nobel Laureates during the past many years. Consequently, we can guess some common key statements and themes which may also be part of his lecture.
Imagination/Fantasy — A Vital Force for Survival
László Krasznahorkai often makes the statement that imagination/fantasy is a vital force for survival in difficult times; and that the modern world is characterized by an ongoing, unchanging state of despair and human folly, where even high culture is being destroyed by market forces.
Hence, in interviews following the announcement of Nobel Prize, he encouraged people to use their imagination and read books.
As he further told the Nobel Prize Organization, “More power to survive these very difficult times on Earth”. Therefore, he emphasized, “Reading gives us more power to survive this very, very difficult time on Earth.” That being the case, he encourages everyone to use their imagination and enjoy books.
Since, he highlighted the importance of using one’s “fantasy,” explaining, “Without fantasy, it’s an absolute different life”. So, one literary analysis of his work and comments notes that “literature remains a vital force in dark times”. And that, as he believes, “fantasy and faith may yet help us survive”. That’s why, he perceives imagination and reading as an act of endurance in an age of “apocalyptic terror” and chaos.
Furthermore, Krasznahorkai discussed about bitterness as an important driver for him as a writer, highlighting the vital role of imagination. Accordingly, he asserts, “Imagination is the one thing which can’t be taken away from me. The imagination of the masses of course can be transformed, as it already has been, but there do exist certain escape routes, though those may not lead far.” Thus, this view aligns with his literary works, which often portray chaotic and difficult worlds.
Since, he frequently emphasizes that imagination “is the one thing which can’t be taken away”. He also affirms continuously that it provides an additional power for survival during these very difficult epochs. Hence, we can infer; he will stress with his full force upon the Power of Fantasy/Imagination in his Nobel Lecture.
A Dirty, Hopeless, Gray World
While Krasznahorkai himself has spoken about “life in the apocalypse” as an ongoing process and described his writing style as “reality examined to the point of madness”. Moreover, he stated in interviews that “apocalypse is the form of existence right now. Each and every moment is apocalyptic”. So, he often describes the current reality in stark, pessimistic terms. Thus, he leads to interpret encapsulation: “inferno of our existence” and the inherent suffering in the human condition, which he feels is a deep source of inspiration.
Changelessness in Change
Krasznahorkai expresses a view that while the surface of the world constantly changes; the essential condition of humanity is “always the same”; a “changelessness that is always changing”.
Melancholy as Resistance
When László Krasznahorkai speaks of melancholy as a legitimate state of “only to be.” He speaks about it as a form of resistance against the constant, often meaningless, activity and “human work/world”. In one of his interview, he said, “I am melancholic. I have an idea about melancholy.” He further said, “This is a normal state of intellectual life, because, in melancholy, people can find peace for some kind of wisdom and patience. A melancholic has time to sit only because of sitting.” He also went on, “Melancholy allows us to be. Only to be. Because of being. Only to exist, to say somewhere without a wish, without knowledge that we are staying there.”
Disappointment with Humanity
A recurring sentiment is László Krasznahorkai’s disappointment with human beings. He has often expressed that everything in the world is of interest “except man himself,” whose presence can “ruin” a perfect spectacle of nature. He reiterated his sentiment to Jenny Rydén, “The bitterness. I am very sad if I think of the status of the world now. This is my deepest inspiration. This could be also an inspiration for the next generation or generations in literature. Inspiration to give something for the next generation, somehow to survive this time because these are very, very dark times and we need much more power in us to survive this time than before.”
The Decline of High Culture
Krasznahorkai notes that we are in a new era where an area of culture that cannot be infected by the market is simply wiped off the map. He says, “The point isn’t that high culture is losing, or is in danger, but that we’ve arrived in a new era, when an area of culture that can’t be infected by the market, or is unable to adapt to its laws, and thus rendered useless, is simply wiped off the map.” He further added, “There is the odd isolated individual who creates work in the spirit of this high culture, but even they secretly hope to go up for some prize’s shortlist.
No Hope for Redemption
He often contends that “victory is not on our side” and there is no simple redemption from injustice or the “laws of nature” that govern humanity. Although a number of critics refer László Krasznahorkai as an apocalyptic writer, but his vision is a sort of reconciliation—an acceptance of the fact that meaning, beauty and moments of redemption arise out of impermanence. But, in an interview, he remarked about the contradiction, “I am working on joining together two words, ‘yes’ and ‘no’, into an indissoluble, organic combination.”
Conclusion
As, the above discussion encompass almost all the recurring ideas of László Krasznahorkai. So finally, we can surmise that at least some of above ideas, if not all, can be expected focus points in the Nobel Lecture of László Krasznahorkai; whether explicitly or implicitly.
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Born on June 02, 1971, is an Urdu novelist and short story writer. He did his masters in English Literature from Islamia University, Bahawalpur in 1996.
Work:
So far, Najam-uddin Ahmad has published three novel: Mudfun (The Burials) in 2006, Khoj (The Explore) in 2016, and Saheem (The Partners) in 2019. Apart from this, he has published two collections of short stories: Aao Bhai Khelein (Brother, Let’s play) in 2013 and Fraar aur Doosray Afsanay (Flee and other short stories) in 2017. Furthermore, he has been working on his Urdu novel, Mena Jeet. And, a collection of Urdu Short Stories is also expected soon.
Translations:
Morever, Najam-uddin Ahmad is also renowned for his translations from English to Urdu. And, he has seven books of translations on his credit. As well, among other translations he has recently translated the famous Turk epic “The Book of Dede Korkut” into Urdu, published by the Pakistan Academy of Letters. Simultaneously, he has also translated a good number of Urdu short stories into English.
Awards:
- Writers’ Guild Award, 2013 for Aao Bhai Khelein (Brother, Let’s play)
- And, UBL Excellence Award, 2017 for translation work: Nobel Inamyafta Adeebon Ki Kahanian (Short stories by Nobel Laureates in Literature).
- Also, Qoumi Adabi Award (Hassan Askari Award), 2019 from Pakistan Academy of Letters for Fasana-e-Alam — a collection of short stories by Nobel Laureates in Literature.
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