The Swedish Culture Canon initiative was launched by the Swedish government in 2023, as part of a broader effort to define, preserve, and promote Sweden’s cultural heritage. What is Swedish culture? The goal is to create a curated list of works and items that represent Sweden’s cultural identity and legacy.
The Swedish Culture Canon is a government-led initiative that originated in 2022 to compile a list of works deemed essential to Swedish cultural history. It aims to create a shared understanding of Swedish culture and foster a sense of national unity. The canon includes both “expert” and “people’s” canons, with experts identifying significant cultural works and the public contributing their selections. This initiative has been met with both support and criticism, with some viewing it as a celebration of Swedish culture and others fearing it as a form of cultural authoritarianism.
Two main streams
This effort is divided into two main streams: The Experts’ Canon (“Expertkulturkanon”) and the People’s Canon (“Folkets kulturkanon”). The first involves academics, journalists, historians, and other authorities who will select 100 works or other items of cultural significance that have played a pivotal role in shaping Swedish culture.
The second will be made up of suggestions submitted by the Swedish public to the Culture Canon website, which can be drawn from the arts or can include everyday activities like the Swedish fika ritual, coffee and cake break, or ideas like “Allemansrätten”, the Swedish right of public access.
Examples of the expert part
One criterion the committee has set for the expert part of the canon is that it can only include entries that are at least 50 years old. These may come from various domains, such as literature, film, music, architecture, visual arts, performing arts, design, and crafts.
The selections are expected to emphasize long-term cultural value, artistic merit, historical significance, and their impact on national identity.
Examples (likely candidates, based on public discourse):
- Astrid Lindgren’s books, such as Pippi Långstrump (Pippi Longstocking), are central to Sweden’s literary and cultural fabric.
- Ingmar Bergman’s films, like Fanny and Alexander, are internationally acclaimed and profoundly influential.
- Carl Michael Bellman’s songs – 18th-century works that are considered foundational to Swedish music and poetry.
- Carl Larsson’s paintings – iconic depictions of Swedish family life and interiors.
- Sven Markelius and Gunnar Asplund’s architecture – examples of Swedish functionalism and modernism.
Examples based on public suggestions and media coverage
Running in parallel with the expert selection, the People’s Canon stream invites the general public to nominate and vote for works they believe represent Swedish culture. It reflects popular sentiment and cultural attachment, often including more contemporary or mainstream elements that resonate widely, even if they lack traditional critical acclaim.
- ABBA’s music is a globally recognized symbol of Swedish pop culture.
- The Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson – gripping and widely read modern literature.
- TV series like Så mycket bättre or Rederiet – influential in shaping media habits.
- The Lucia tradition – including the songs and processions, central to Swedish identity and seasonal celebrations.
- IKEA design elements, like the “Billy” bookcase, are symbols of Swedish design and practicality.
Context and Criticism
The initiative has sparked significant debate in Sweden. Supporters argue it will help consolidate and celebrate national cultural identity, especially for educational purposes. Critics worry about the politicization of culture, exclusion of minority voices, or the potential for a narrow, nostalgic view of “Swedishness”.
The project is still in progress, with final selections expected to be published in phases over the coming years.
What Is Swedish Culture? The Swedish Culture Canon initiative, reported by Tor Kjolberg
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