Nobel Lecture: Kazuo Ishiguro, Nobel Prize in Literature 2017

My Twentieth Century Evening - and Other Small Breakthroughs
The Nobel Prize in Literature for 2017 is awarded to Kazuo Ishiguro "who, in novels of great emotional force, has uncovered the abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world".

[@NobelPrize]

You can also see Kazuo Ishiguro's official Nobel Prize interview: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnPGe3avl8uXgck

[@holliswilliams8426]

This is one of the few Nobel Prizes in Literature where it's unquestionable that the author definitely deserves the prize.

[@novaes58]

agree

[@azizigweth2921]

I concur

[@keerthip.1475]

who is an author you think doesn't deserve the Nobel prize?

[@gordonedgar8513]

Kazuo Ishiguro is my favourite novelist and having just watched this speech I feel a real sense of love for this man I don't know.

[@ericALAGAN]

My favourite author too.

[@jesseabbot5192]

His talk has stimulated my own writing to be better. Thank you.

[@ghosty9447]

Never Let Me Go ahhhhhh

[@Jane009T]

A gentle speaking man with a gentle heart is what makes a gentleman

[@junkarato6790]

"In a time of dangerously increasing division, we must listen. Good writing and good reading will break down barriers. We may even find a new idea, a great humane vision, around which to rally." I truly hope his voice reach more people facing walls and barriers in every corner of the world.

[@anuradhainamdar8967]

" Good writing & good reading will break down barriers " is very true.

[@earthgrazer5511]

I like how he emphasized good reading as well.

[@DominicNewbould]

Such a gentle and delicate acceptance speech - yet incisive. Leaves us a huge question, and himself too, to ponder and reflect.

[@alinao625]

I cried unconsolably at the end of reading his "The Remains of the Day" - that's great literature at work, cathartic and instructive without being moralizing.

[@moiskithorn]

Me too. It's just a breathtaking work

[@abesapien9930]

What is wrong with moralizing? I would hope a lot of literature wouldn't, but it shouldn't be some forbidden act either. He moralized at the end of this very speech, and I agreed with it.

[@mylink1812]

Me too! I cried to the point of dehydration. To this day I still can’t fathom how he could write such a masterpiece at that young age.

[@celestialfix]

"We are all butlers.........". Thank you Mr. Ishiguro, and congratulations.

[@toshivid]

As a Japanese, I am very proud of this literal giant, who was born in Nagasaki, Japan. Later, he left for the UK at the age of five due to his father's business; later he naturalized himself as a Japanese-British, as Kazuo Ishiguro, perfectly in Japanese name. He appeals justice, righteousness and peace to the world through his literal works, which he truly deserved to receive one of the greatest prizes in the world of literature. Congratulations, Mr. Ishiguro!

[@reneesoryu3650]

Normally you guys just call someone who grew up in a different country and doesn't even speak Japanese a 'Gaijin', but I guess it's hard to do that to a Nobel prize laureate

[@narunarunarunarunaru]

Renee Soryu Gaijin means ''outers of our community'',not nationality or appearance. I think he isn't Gaijin because he has something related to our community(it's very difficult to describe what the community is.There is divercity and there isn't divercity...).

[@roccoanthony8930]

Renee Soryu this whole “gaijin” BS is out of control lol. No common Japanese uses the word “gaijin” as some sort of racist word. It literally means “foreigner”. Nothing more, Nothing less. Maybe it was used in a racist means back in pre-1940’s, or even to this day by ultra-right wings, but ordinary people just use the word “gaijin” as an abbreviation to “gaikokujin” which is a literal translation of “foreigner”. They have no hate or harm in those words. Hell, even kids (as in preschooler and elementary students) uses those words to refer a foreigner in general. So are you going to insist that those children “racists” lol? This whole “common Japanese are racist because they call foreigner “gaijin”” is misinterpreted in so many levels that only a tool that has absolutely no knowledge of Japan would refer to it. Stop talking like you know shit about Japan, just because you read some anti-Japanese propaganda article on the internet lol. And if you want them to stop calling you (or any foreigner) “gaijin”, just tell them, and they will immediately apologize. Japanese people aren’t ignorants. The problematic word is more along the lines of “zainichi”, which isn’t exactly a racist word (it just means “foreign-born people/foreigner who are living in Japan”), but people in internet will use the word to attack Chinese/Korean/Foreign related Japanese citizens. Kind of like how Americans are doing it to Mexicans/Canadians.

[@martincelino]

@松島立空 I would suggest to ask foreigners whether they see Japanese as racist.

[@bikeyoshiro]

For the moment, I could not be happier to hear his speech as a Japanese living overseas for long.

[@kevinjoe1211]

he is far more English than Japanese , I have to say, except his Asian look, he has nothing japanese within

[@xulapostasy7132]

He is 100% British

[@asaynor225]

@@kevinjoe1211 'Nothing Japanese within' would be too far. Yes his memories were very hazy but his first novels were about expressing the Japanese identity he felt

[@holliswilliams8426]

He is English but has definitely expressed some identity with Japan (see ''A Pale View of Hills'', for example).

[@glenncambray626]

@@asaynor225 And, he would surely have had a deep Japanese influence from his parents.

[@tigerchuu2148]

I can't believe I actually sat through this whole thing. He just grabbed my attention and never lost it. Amazing.

[@gracekwak6666]

Wow

[@sattarabus]

Sparse, spare, manicured, pedicured, introspective, clinically reflexive speech. His quotes from EM Forster are both illustrative and instructive. Small is beautiful. Now I understand what Laurence Binyon meant when he said, " slowness is beauty".

[@cr820]

Very well said.

[@deborahkraal8134]

I also very much appreciate his books. His speech made me aware of the act of writing itself, how it is communication within the writer himself and then to others who also take those words and put them in his/her own heart and mind in a way that allows one to both connect and transcend. Ishiguro does this with such elegance, warmth and - it is so easy on the ear!

[@JohnSampson]

No doubt an intellect and talent, a humanist that I can and do respect.

[@toshikokobataketalkingimag8329]

What an eloquent, sincere gentleman he is. Many congratulations to Kazuo Ishiguro.

[@julieandrews730]

One of my favorite authors in the world. I can't believe this just popped up in my YT lineup. Profound and moving.

[@hamditeyeb2986]

This speech has that kind of tone that you find in his books, and that makes you fall in love with him .. A peaceful steam of memory

[@katharos9977]

Watching this after I just finished reading Never Let Me Go. I don't remember feeling as numb as I am now. One of the greatest books, one of the greatest authors. The fucking legend.

[@artraygalleryart1159]

The Brilliant Kazuo Ishiguro. Love his writing. Bravo..Ang-Ray NYC

[@daryabukhtoyarova5562]

Such a privilege - first witnessing the Nobel prize for literature going to Kazuo Ishiguro, now being able to watch him speak. The word "moving" came up a lot in the comments and for a good reason. Thank you, Mr. Ishiguro (and the Nobel Prize for uploading his lecture here).

[@matthewjamesappleby5834]

A wonderful speech, incisive and deeply moving.

[@tenzinsangpo321]

"If you'd come across me in the autumn of 1979, you might have had some difficulty placing me, socially or even racially..." One of the most beautiful Nobel Lectures after Sir V.S. Naipaul in 2001.

[@gulsaraahmed6611]

Absolutely amazing. I like how he analyses and critiques his own writings. He sums up his journey as a writer in correspondence with himself and knows for a fact, he's not done yet. He still has new avenues and terrains to explore and gives us a glimpse into the world of his upcoming books. I recently read Klara and the Sun, which he based on the challenges science and new technology will eventually face.

[@seamusgaelic6447]

When Ishiguro addresses the inequality in wealth between and within nations I can't help but think of how many wealthy people are in the room where he's delivering his speech.

[@david50665]

we should not mind that there are wealthy people...esp wealth that created by hard work and intellectual achievements which actually most of the new wealth comes from ....what we should mind is that there are still homeless people dying in the streets

[@jravindranath8345]

Most wonderful speech sliced with apt and much needed optimism in the tiring world.

[@tenkun2439]

He writes in a very allegory manner which depicts all the characters in the front. Thank you. 🙏

[@muhlenstedt]

Talent, intellect and humanity united, thank you for putting these in words.

[@bhupeshdihenia6514]

Thank you, Kazuo. Beautiful road travelled and even more eloquently shared. I look forward to reading “Never Let Me Go.” So glad KZbin put this speech in my thread.

[@lennovp7742]

What a beautiful speech! I'm also happy that i noticed 2 other laureates in the audience. Bet they like Kazuo's works.

[@Andy_Idea]

Such a gracious and dignified man. Well deserved honour.

[@Nicky.Slunsky]

Well deserved. A great man and a great writer. The Unconsoled is one of my favorite novels ever.

[@tomi1253]

I was very much pleased to hear about the great news. Congratulations 🎉

[@uui219]

I am so happy for you. You have been my favorite author for as long as I can remember. I honestly never thought you would win this prize, but I could not be happier to be wrong. You fully deserve this and the many more honors that will be coming your way. *Congratulations.

[@rf265]

I am thankful for Kazuo Ishiguro‘s writing. It’s been wonderful company.

[@arberbuci]

How completely different his experience from let's say Hanif Kureishi, who was born in England, son of a Pakistani immigrant and English mother. Both great writers of course, but due to background, with completely different kind of struggles and things to deal with, while living in the same country and in the same era. Great speech btw by mr. Kazuo Ishiguro.

[@AakashJdp123]

Can’t agree more.

[@lucias1276]

In what terms?

[@bijofrancis1114]

His speech and the way he talk is like a laminar flow, it's just perfection. 💗👏

[@krithikrithi1938]

Most Prestigious International Award ❤

[@brianjanson3498]

His work is so rewarding. It has meant a great deal to me. I appreciate the effort he has taken to share it with us.

[@jyotinair2386]

Wow! What an engaging speech outlining his vision, values and dreams for the future. The seamless movements back and forth from past to present and future were incredibly mesmerizing.!

[@takatez]

Very impressive, indeed.

[@ulissina1]

Moving, inteligent and brilliant speech.

[@saemakhan6594]

Beautiful speech ! Congratulations !

[@jyotinair2386]

God bless you Kazaa Ishiguro for your vast in-depth understanding of human nature as it enveloped nations and it’s people !

[@albertlacanilao4332]

Very moving speech....excellent....tears to my eyes...

[@richardshiggins704]

A most splendid writer .

[@willisknapick4405]

I read two of his books. He's incredibly imaginative and insightful.

[@abooswalehmosafeer173]

As I listen to this sincere and humble sharing,I realise how our life itself is the crucible for our creativity. It is important therefore Not to forget,not to be amnesiac. Also,how writing is self creative,perhaps the birthplace of creative writings. Word creates us. Word expands us. Covid 19 has laid bare our Human imperfections flaws selfishness but also its generosity creativity.

[@werke_und_tage]

I cried in the end. Thank you Mr. Ishiguro!

[@ramanathannv9971]

I am really impressed by his concluding remarks to the Swedish Academy to go far and deep into the unknown quarters of our human habitations to find cut and uncut diamonds of literature and writing of word class and even beyond lying unnoticed by the Academy. I sure, had the academy been fortunate it would definitely found greatness in the works Malayalam writers like G.SANKARSKURUP M T Vasudevan Nair .

[@elizabethsanchezschulz4949]

So encouraging to see and hear a wise, intelligent writer appealling to kindness, peace and leaving behind Any sort of racism. If not, our civilization will definitely suffer horrible consequences or even disappear. He’s sensitive, amusing, lovable and , as my grandma would say: a good,noble man . CHAPEAU !!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@maximonacer5039]

Kazuo Ishiguro: Congratulations for keeping the tenderness given the circumstances. It is magic. Just imagine a new capacity to visit virtually any person in any place where you could find caring humans improving land and property, doing what they love by networking with each other, generating and sharing their own energy and food, using paper containers of hydrogen currency recharging as vehicles for commerce everywhere while rendering obsolete the use of military lasers or hydrogen weapons to keep those rights alive.

[@sergiopena8121]

I loved 'Never let you go', can't wait to read more from him.

[@priyaa1201]

One of the greatest storytellers

[@reasonablyserious]

I love that he's interested in the small and personal. Unfortunate he didn't stick with that. Sometimes it's better to stop early.

[@nicholaschen1806]

Hope I can follow him as a winner of Nobel Prize for language and literature from Asia country someday.

[@ramdularsingh1435]

Kazuo is really a ' cashewo nut ' for his readers making them fit & healthy like the dried fruit does to all of us. He is a creative genius and most importantly a gentleman.

[@SnoopyisCool007]

Thank you

[@paulharvey2396]

Thank you sir Kaz, God bless you amen.

[@troygaspard6732]

When he talks about a nation's memory and what should be remembered or forgotten, he would address in his novel The Buried Giant.

[@mariabarr1286]

Food for thought.Connect well with those who want a lasting wold peace.

[@melaniamonicacraciun9900]

In this cyberspace time is on our side, we can share opinions, fix things and help each other like true family & siblings as we should, Nobel genius minds are trully surprising friends, you are doing a great job indeed, never stop digging out remarcable talents that can become our guiding lights in order to raise humankind a better place, in order to help each other evolve, improve ourselves each other and ...trying to save the planet together, that's the biggest challenge above all indeed

[@glamacherrie]

I liked how he linked his own process to that of Latin American and Caribbean writers - such as V. S Naipaul and the great Gabriel Garcia Marquez - and their own quest for inclusion. I respect how he reveals the complex insider/ outsider life he has led, seeking to find a happy medium between the best of these worlds.

[@abrlim5597]

At the end of the speech, Kazuo Ishiguro sounded like Mr. Stevens he wrote, trying to contribute something to the world, without knowing whether he has actually done so.

[@shivabreathes]

This was amazing and so inspiring.

[@kimberlyperrotis8962]

I love his writing. That “something in the singer’s voice” I would call pathos.

[@petestevens3970]

Thank you.

[@holyspacemonkey]

“Can stable free nations really be built on foundations of willful amnesia and frustrated justice?” 33:17

[@yaslynnyaya5860]

I will try my best to make my research perfect

[@looseygoosey23]

Listening to his words is captivating

[@MrSinghSAmit]

I’m in awe of his simplicity. He has a new fan and a follower!

[@Redbullshit777]

Honoured and Learned keep to writing, sir.

[@englishguardian3792]

Pleased to listen to you

[@benrezenarosa]

Thank you for this.

[@socialcelerity8983]

Very personal and insightful. See 38:50 for ‘Turning points’ …

[@Steven-tl2vu]

His novel Nocturnes is wonderf❤

[@noras.9774]

The Remains of the Day is one of the century’s book!

[@mehdibaghbadran3182]

Thanks regards

[@adolphsanchez1429]

I have yet to read The Remains of the Day, but Never Let Me Go was a great book and one of the very few science fiction books I have liked, possibly because it wasn't filled with tons of way off the mark contraptions that have never come to pass (not that we are farming organs from a lower class of people, but we'll get there eventually).

[@Milroynishantha3261]

I Love you All Nobel prize 🙏🇱🇰🌸🌸🎀 My Hero All Nobel prize 🌟🥇🌟 My House All Nobel prize 💙💙🏠💜💜

[@mohammaderfani5742]

Is it better to remember or to forget?

[@terribates7240]

how rude to sit in the front row, reading all the way through. I can only hope they were reading a translation into their own language of the talk they had been so privileged to attend. I enjoyed the whole thing very much and particularly thoughts towards the end, which resonated very much for me.

[@NobelPrize]

Bound booklets with translations of the speeches are often provided to attendees at the prize ceremony and at the literature prize lecture. - Thanks for watching!

[@abooswalehmosafeer173]

I enjoyed that.

[@judihopewell2499]

Wow. A deserving laureate.

[@yarubkhayat]

Inspiring .. thanks

[@eclipser5945]

*wow!*

[@tracygwendolyn1]

Brilliant

[@dr.janardanpaudelphd4749]

Very nice saying.

[@edgaremiliolar]

Did she introduce him as Kazugo Ishiguro?

[@anaesparza1877]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 loved it.

[@sadfilmophile]

he starts @ 10:41 but you can skip to 15:01

[@RayasNegroOvejas]

Rather 2:04 and 3:03

[@raewambia33]

Exquisite

[@josephharley9448]

I WOULD GIVE THAT SPEECH A C MINUS. Note i am passing him, for the mere fact its obvious he put so much hard work into it. Must do better.

[@fabianhauser708]

No, he must not. He is a writer not a presenter. 😊

[@terrapinalive6192]

It's the second time I watch this video and I am sure she said Kazubo.and not Kazuo

[@churchillomondi7253]

This guy

[@nabu2431]

❤❤❤❤

[@TriPham-xd9wk]

Should we ask if human is not a destination? cOuld human afford to go further

[@paulfranco3239]

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@尼安德鲁-n6j]

I think the cleaning people must enter that door pretty often :)

[@crybabyaina]

DAAYUUMMMMMMMMMMM

[@umakanthrao426]

Nobel speech of self

[@fabianhauser708]

That's kind of to be expected/whished from the laureates. That they also share the circumstances why and how they got the ideas for which they get awared here 😊