Bob Dylan says will not come to Stockholm for Nobel Prize ceremony: Swedish Academy

STOCKHOLM, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Swedish Academy said on Wednesday that Bob Dylan has decided not to come to Stockholm to attend the Nobel Prize Ceremony.

The Academy said, in a personal letter from Bob Dylan, "he explained that due to pre-existing commitments, he is unable to travel to Stockholm in December and therefore will not attend the Nobel Prize Ceremony. He underscored, once again, that he feels very honored indeed, wishing that he could receive the prize in person."

"That laureates decide not to come is unusual, to be sure, but not exceptional," the Academy said, adding that the prize "still belongs to Bob Dylan."

"We look forward to Bob Dylan's Nobel Lecture, which he must give -- it is the only requirement -- within six months counting from December 10, 2016," the Academy said.

Swedish Academy announced on Oct. 13 to award the Nobel Prize in Literature 2016 to Bob Dylan "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition."