The Gustav Vasa 1541 Bible, Pippi Longstocking, Ikea, the right to roam, parental leave, Sámi joiks, the Nobel Prize, and works by Ingmar Bergman and August Strindberg are among the entries in Sweden’s recent proposal for a “cultural canon.”
However, notable exclusions from the list of 100 significant cultural and historical references—described by its creators in Uppsala as a way to provide a “shared guide” for citizens and newcomers—include Abba and any works from after 1975, a period marked by Sweden’s evolution into a diverse society.
Critics have called the canon a “nationalist project.” In response, historian Lars Trägårdh, who chairs the committee, stated that Sweden must adopt an inclusive national identity, arguing that postwar culture had prioritized global and multicultural influences. “They have turned away from Swedish traditions and heritage,” he told a TV program recently.
The list spans 11 categories, such as literature, music, economics, religion, and innovations, covering landmarks, legal milestones, and ideas. It includes Lilla Hyttnäs, the cottage once owned by artists Karin and Carl Larsson; Hilma af Klint’s *Paintings for the Temple*; Stockholm City Hall, designed by Ragnar Östberg; and two songs by Gothenburg musician Evert Taube.
Other entries are the Vasaloppet ski race, Carl von Linné’s *Systema Naturae*, the 18th-century Kakelungnen stove, and the 1751 Lappkodicillen agreement, which recognized Sámi mobility rights between Sweden and Norway.
Despite Sweden’s Muslim population, the religion section mainly features Christian references, with exceptions like Bergman’s *Winter Light* and the Swedish Church’s 1958 decision to ordain women. A local Arabic news site pointed out the absence of Islamic landmarks, noting Sweden’s first mosque was built in Gothenburg in 1976.
The cultural canon was proposed under the current government, which relies on support from the far right. Since its announcement in 2023, the project has drawn criticism from the Swedish Academy, writers’ groups, and minority communities, including the Sámi people.
The committee also allowed public submissions for an alternative “people’s canon,” receiving around 10,000 contributions, including work by rapper Silvana Imam.
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