Sweden Introduces Its First Cultural Canon: Pippi Longstocking, Ikea, and the Nobel Prize Recognized
In a historic announcement, the results of the government's two-year long inquiry, chaired by Lars Trägårdh, were revealed, marking the beginning of an exciting journey through Sweden's rich cultural heritage. The inquiry aimed to establish a cultural canon that reflects the country's diverse history, encompassing various art forms, and challenging the notion of a static and definitive canon.
The cultural canon includes a wide array of significant works and symbols that have shaped Sweden's identity. Among these are the 1634 Swedish constitution, Sweden's freedom-to-roam law Allemansrätten, and the synagogue at Marstrand near Gothenburg, symbolising the country's commitment to democracy, inclusivity, and religious diversity.
Notable literary works in the canon include Astrid Lindgren's beloved character Pippi Longstocking, Selma Lagerlöf's The Saga of Gösta Berling, August Strindberg's Miss Julie, and Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal. The canon also includes several seminal pieces of music, such as Hugo Alfvén's Svensk Rapsodi nr 1 för stor orkester, op 19, Allan Pettersson's Symphony no 7, and Jan Johansson's Jazz pa Svenska album.
The cultural canon also extends to visual arts, with the inclusion of kakelugnen tiled masonry ovens that heat old Swedish houses, and architectural masterpieces like the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Gripsholms Castle, Sundsvall Theatre, and Radiohuset, the headquarters of Swedish public radio.
The canon also acknowledges Sweden's Sami and Roma communities, with works such as Johan Thuri's Muitalus Sámiid birra: a book on the life of the Lapps, and Katarina Taikon's Katitzi, a poignant children's book written by a Roma author.
The inquiry's selection, however, does not explicitly detail the representatives of official minorities who should have directly influenced the lists but were not considered in the early days of the canon. This oversight mirrors the historical exclusion of various Christian sects and minority groups within Christianity during the early Christian canon formation, influenced primarily by dominant Catholic authorities after Constantine's reign.
The press conference to announce the cultural canon took place in Uppsala's Gustavianum building, a testament to Sweden's commitment to preserving and celebrating its cultural heritage. The unveiling of the cultural canon marks a significant step in promoting a broader understanding of Sweden's rich cultural history and fostering a sense of national identity.
