It's Nobel Week in Sweden

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- All 12 Nobel Prize laureates have arrived in Sweden to take part in lavish festivities in Stockholm as part of Nobel Week, event organizers said.

Nobel Foundation Executive Director Michael Solfman said with five women among the year's Nobel laureates, the 2009 Nobel ceremony and banquet Thursday will be unique compared with years past, the Swedish news agency TT reported Sunday.

"There will be another color than black and white on the podium, thanks to the ladies who are coming. It is an all-time high that five of the 12 laureates in Stockholm are women, and that's really exciting," Solfman said.

Event organizers said the Nobel Banquet at the Stockholm City Hall will follow a theme of "like a fairy tale," but remain secretive regarding the exact menu for the gala event.

The Nobel Foundation did confirm pigeon breasts and lobster tails were purchased in bulk for the event, along with lightly smoked salmon, Jerusalem artichokes and a number of other culinary items.

TT said while the Swedish royal family is expected to take part in the festivities, Swedish Fredrik Reinfeldt will not attend due to his involvement in talks in Brussels.