Nobel Prize in Literature 2025: Hungarian László Krasznahorkai triumphs!

Nobel Prize in Literature 2025: Hungarian László Krasznahorkai triumphs!

On October 9, 2025 the time had come: the Swedish Academy confirmed that the Hungarian writer László Krasznahorkai will receive the Nobel Prize in Literature 2025. A call from academy secretary Mats Malm in Frankfurt made the good news known. Krasznahorkai, who is the second Hungarian to be honored with this prestigious award after Imre Kertész, is celebrated for his “riveting and visionary work,” which consistently reflects the apocalyptic horrors of our time.

The Nobel Prize in Literature, one of the most prestigious honors, will be awarded on December 10, 2025 and is endowed with prize money of 11 million Swedish crowns, which is around 1 million euros. It is considered the most important literary award in the world and comes with a long list of renowned predecessors such as Thomas Mann and Herta Müller. This year over 200 authors were nominated, but their names will remain secret for 50 years.

A master of the dystopian

Krasznahorkai, born in Gyula in 1954, is known for his dark and apocalyptic style. His works are not only characterized by complex language, but also by a deep examination of topics such as the threat to democratic societies posed by populism and violence. Well-known works such as “Melancholy of Resistance” and “Herscht 07769” impressively demonstrate his ability to process existential questions in exciting stories. Susan Sontag described him as the “master of the apocalypse” – an honor that is reflected again and again in his literary career.

His career began in 1985 with “Satanstango,” a debut novel that immediately received international attention. Krasznahorkai's works have been translated into over 30 languages ​​and are often found on bestseller lists. The Swedish Academy praises his “extraordinary linguistic vitality” and the “great lyrical beauty” of his texts, which touch readers worldwide.

Literary journey and influences

After studying law, Hungarian language and literature at the University of Budapest, Krasznahorkai began to put his thoughts and observations into literature. His early works are often set in the dark atmosphere of small Hungarian towns, while later texts also address the themes of longing and loss. Looking back on his journey, he is seen as a writer who combines the art of narrative with a unique style:

• „Gnadenverhältnisse“ (1986)
• „Krieg und Krieg“ (1999)
• „Seiobo auf Erden“ (2008)
• „Herscht 07769“ (2021)

His extensive career took him from Budapest via Berlin to Vienna and Trieste. His time in the apartment of the renowned poet Allen Ginsberg in New York had a decisive influence on his creative period. With so much international fame, Krasznahorkai remains humble and dedicates himself to his passion: writing.

The awarding of the Nobel Prize in Literature to Krasznahorkai is not only a recognition of his artistic work, but also a signal of the relevance of literature in a rapidly changing world. His works invite us to grapple with the dark sides of human existence and show that he has created his own, distinctive literary universe that is worth discovering.

In a year in which the Nobel Peace Prize and the Prize for Economic Sciences will also be awarded, the literary scene remains excited about the developments and continuation of Krasznahorkai's impressive work. There is great anticipation for the award ceremony on December 10th, because literature still has the potential to change and move.