Dylan did not show up in person, but wrote a letter for his gratitude to the famous writers.

In lieu of attending the ceremony, Dylan wrote a speech, which was read by the American ambassador to Sweden. In it, he expressed his gratitude to the committee, and his admiration for writers who have won the award in the past, including Rudyard Kipling, Albert Camus and Ernest Hemingway.

A 360-foot-long barge that was set loose by violent weather in the North Sea was secured on Thursday, after the oil companies evacuated hundreds of workers from two oil platforms and temporarily halted production.