Elie Wiesel's Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech and Lecture (1986)

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Elie Wiesel's Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech and Lecture (1986)

Date

December 11, 1986

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Author:
Wiesel, Elie
Contributor:
Aarvik, Chairman

Summary

This document compiles Elie Wiesel's Acceptance Speech for the Nobel Peace Prize, awarded in 1986, and his Nobel Lecture, delivered on December 11, 1986, in Oslo, Norway. Wiesel accepts the honor with deep humility, dedicating it to Holocaust survivors and the Jewish people. He recounts his experiences during the Holocaust, emphasizing the critical role of memory in combating indifference and preventing future atrocities. He advocates for taking a stand against oppression and intervening when human dignity is threatened, transcending national boundaries. Wiesel connects his Jewish concerns, such as Israel and Soviet Jewry, with universal human rights issues, condemning Apartheid, political persecution, and terrorism, citing individuals like Andrei Sakharov and Nelson Mandela. The lecture delves into themes of hope, despair, and the mystical power of memory, drawing on Hasidic legends. Wiesel argues that remembering the past is essential for humanity's survival and for forging a future of peace, urging solidarity with victims and denouncing war as a human-made tragedy. The document also includes a biographical sketch of Elie Wiesel and his photograph.

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Origin:
Oslo, Norway
Language:
English
,
Hebrew
,
Yiddish
Identifier:
EWG_1502_01_02-10
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