Nobel Center to open in Stockholm thanks to one of the largest private donations in Sweden

Stockholm, 20-6-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Thanks to a generous donation, most of the financing has been secured for construction of the Nobel Center on the Blasieholmen peninsula in central Stockholm. 

The donors are the Erling-Persson Family Foundation and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. Together these donors are contributing SEK 800 million, making it one of the largest private donations for a project of this kind in Sweden.

“We are delighted that we can now realise the more than century-old dream of a Nobel Center. With this donation, the two foundations are showing their commitment and support for projects that will promote the dissemination of knowledge. The Nobel Center is an important investment in the future of Stockholm. A strong home base will also enhance the ability of the Nobel system to develop internationally,” says Lars Heikensten, Executive Director of the Nobel Foundation.

The work to realize the Nobel Center can now proceed in collaboration with the City of Stockholm. This means that the Nobel Prize will have a home in Stockholm and that a long-awaited attraction will become a reality. Through its broad public activities, the Nobel Center will invite people into the Nobel Prize’s unique world of natural sciences, humanities and peace efforts and become a meeting place that encourages curiosity and creativity.

“It is with great joy that we have chosen to donate funds to create a home for the Nobel Prize in Stockholm. The Nobel Center will be a place that stimulates curiosity and learning among a younger generation and where researchers, students, decision makers and an interested general public can come together to find answers to the major issues of the future,” says Stefan Persson, Chairman of the Erling-Persson Family Foundation.

“Contributing to the Nobel Center feels important. For a long time, the Nobel Prize has been a vital institution that has reinforced the image of Sweden as a leading knowledge-based nation. The Nobel Center will enable Stockholm to offer a platform that provides uniquely good opportunities to attract prominent researchers and to generate scientific activities of the highest international calibre,” says Peter Wallenberg Jr, Vice-Chairman of the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.

The donation means that the international architectural competition can begin. This will occur on June 14, when the twelve selected architects are invited to Stockholm to attend an initial seminar. During the spring of 2014, a winning
proposal for the design of the Nobel Center will be unveiled. According to the preliminary timetable, the Nobel Center can open its doors to the public in December 2018.

The conditions for the architectural competition and the jury will be announced at a press conference on June 14, 9.00 at the Nobel Museum. The participating architects will be present.

Contact persons:
The Nobel Foundation, Annika Pontikis, Public Relations Manager,
annika.pontikis@nobel.se, +46 8 663 14 70, +46 70 454 76 72

The Erling-Persson Family Foundation, Sigbrit Franke,
sigbrit.franke@adm.umu.se, +46 707 10 74 03

The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, Göran Sandberg,
kaw@kaw.se, +46 8 545 017 80

For further information, photos and a video with three Nobel Laureates sharing their thoughts on the Nobel Center please visit:
http://www.nobelprize.org/press/nobelfoundation