From King to Obama

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a central figure in the Civil Rights Movement and, like Barack Obama, a source of inspiration to people worldwide.

In 1964 King accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. This made him, at just 35 years old, the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The Civil Rights Movement’s slogan: "Thou shall not requite violence with violence", was a central factor cited in the justification for the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s decision.

"There are many obvious similarities between King and Obama, both in terms of their values, their political strategies and in their rhetoric and public impact. It has been inspiring and fascinating to create an exhibition of contemporary relevance that is based on these major historic events," says Bente Erichsen, director of the Nobel Peace Center.

Photography will be the key element of the exhibition, together with music from the 1960s. The exhibition will also include films, texts and historic sound recordings.

"Our visitors will feel truly immersed in the American atmosphere of the time," says Bente Erichsen.

From King to Obama has been developed by the Nobel Peace Center in collaboration with Magnum Photos.