Norway plays a significant role in global peacemaking, with the capital being at the forefront. The city stands out not only for honoring peacemakers but also for its proactive peacebuilding efforts. It has hosted several complex global negotiations and invests in initiatives that promote cultural understanding and social cohesion. Perhaps you have heard of the Oslo Accords?

History of Nobel

When the Swedish businessman Alfred Nobel passed away in 1896, he left behind what was then one of the world’s largest private fortunes. In his will, he declared that he wanted there to be awarded a Peace prize from Oslo, Norway, to promote a world free from war.

Oslo has ever since 1901 proudly held the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, and continuing Nobel’s vision, playing an active role in conflict resolutions by hosting dialogue and conversations around peace, democracy, and human rights.

Sweden was given the honor to present prizes in chemistry, literature, medicine and physics, whilst Norway was given the peace prize. No one really knows why it was divided like this.

In addition to fostering conversation, Oslo’s urban landscape tells a story of peace, with monuments and places dedicated to Nobel Peace Prize winners.

Explore the map of Peace Prize attractions to discover these meaningful spots around the city.

The Nobel Peace Prize 2024

The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize laureate is Nihon Hidankyo, short in Japanese for the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations. Founded in 1956, the organization fights against the use of nuclear weapons while advocating for the social and economic rights of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In Japanese, these survivors are known as Hibakusha.

Nihon Hidankyo has focused on educating the public about the consequences of nuclear weapons. Their work is supported by the powerful witness testimonies of Hibakusha.

On December 12, the Nobel Peace Center will open an in-house exhibition about the efforts of Nihon Hidankyo and the Hibakusha to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. The exhibition "A Message to Humanity" will run until autumn 2025, giving you the opportunity to learn more about their work.

Join the torchlight procession

You can participate in the annual torchlight parade, celebrating the laureates. More than 2 500 torches will be handed out, so if you want to get one, come early. The walk will start by the Nobel Peace Center and will go to the Grand Hotel, where the laureates will greet the parade from the balcony. It’s a sight to behold in the winter darkness!

📍 Place: Brynulf Bull's Square (by the Nobel Peace Center)

⏰ Date & time: December 10, 17:45

🚶‍♂️ Procession departs: 18:15

To learn more, check out their Facebook event page.

The Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony

The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony itself will take place in Oslo on December 10 at 13:00 in Oslo City Hall. This date marks the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death, and attendance is by invitation only. Mr. Terumi Tanaka, Mr. Shigemitsu Tanaka, and Mr. Toshiyuki Mimaki will represent Nihon Hidankyo at the ceremony, where they will receive the diploma and gold medal on their behalf. Following this, Mr. Terumi Tanaka will deliver a lecture.

If you’d like to watch the ceremony, you can join virtually via the official livestream. Alternatively, you can watch the stream at the Nobel Peace Center, but you need to purchase a ticket.

Oslo Peace Days

The City of Oslo, the Nobel Peace Center, the Norwegian Nobel Institute, the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), and the University of Oslo collaborate to organize Oslo Peace Days. Held during the week when the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded, this initiative aims to share and discuss important topics such as human rights, peace, and democracy. The events run from December 5 to December 12, and you can sign up to attend these seminars.

One event for example is a guided tour of the University Aula on December 9th, and you may attend “Seeds for Peace”, the seed ceremony at the Botanical Gardens. During the ceremony, you’ll learn about the seeds spread across the gardens that originated from trees that survived the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

Other peace events

The Nobel Peace Conference brings people together each year to celebrate peace and engage in discussions.

The Oslo Forum, hosted by the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, gathers conflict mediators from around the world. It provides a space for open dialogue and innovative approaches to resolving conflicts and fostering peace.