Cultural canon unveiled: what defines Sweden?
Commissioned by Sweden's conservative government, history professor and author Lars Trädgårdh has put together and presented a proposal for a Swedish "cultural canon": a list of 100 major achievements in the areas of literature, theatre, cinema, music, religion, business and inventions. Sweden's press is divided over the significance and purpose of the list.
Not a compulsory curriculum but a bunch of keys
Expressen sees the canon as an open resource that will allow future generations to tap into the country's culture:
“The 100 points are not an end goal, but a starting point. They are intended to encourage further learning. ... The canon is not a compulsory curriculum, but a key ring. Give these rings to Swedish pupils and let us hope that they will use them to go from room to room! Of course, this presupposes that the canon becomes a living document. Lars Trägårdh's proposal to set up a foundation that can analyse and update the lists - beyond the reach of politicians - is therefore a wise one. Culture Minister Parisa Liljestrand would do well to listen.”
Opening up a path to integration
The cultural canon could be a useful tool for attracting new members to Sweden's relatively insular society, Svenska Dagbladet is convinced:
“In such a society, the elites know what's what, guard their privileges, crack down on anyone who threatens their position, and claim to speak for outsiders while at the same time refusing to let them in. ... Handled correctly, this canon can become a ticket to both class trips and integration processes. ... Those who learn about the history, culture, traditions and customs of another country gain freedom, knowledge and power. Only then can they freely decide whether to embrace it, adapt it or reject it.”
Honest investments better than hazy words
Dagens Nyheter would have liked the canon to consist of more than just a list:
“The overall impression is ridiculous. A cloud of words. One can't help thinking that an AI might have come up with it. But ultimately that isn't what really counts. ... Had the project been accompanied by an honest investment in literacy in schools, an increase in teachers' salaries, the expansion of public libraries and a broad-based investment in the humanities, the claim that this can be 'a vibrant and useful tool for education, community and integration', as stated in the report, might have been credible.”