Nordic countries compile lists of definitive culture
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The Swedes are contemplating a big question: What is Swedishness?
The Liberal Folkpartiet MP Cecilia Wikström has suggested that the government produce a list of the essential Swedish culture.
Committees would compile the most important works in literature, music, architecture, and other forms of art into a cultural anthology. According to the Dagens Nyheter daily, the notion would be to "cement a clear idea of what it is to be a Swede".
The idea came from Denmark, where the cultural canon has already been published. Based on a suggestion by the conservative Minister of Culture Brian Mikkelsen, the list was made public at the beginning of this year.
According to Mikkelsen, such a list is important not just to native Danes but to immigrants alike. The list defines what it is to be Danish.
The literature section of the canon contains, for example, H. C. Andersen's The Little Mermaid and Karen Blixen's Winter's Tales.
According to chairman Kaarina Dromberg (National Coalition Party) of the Parliamentary Education and Culture Committee, Finland could also produce a similar anthology.
"This might be the right time for it, as multiculturalism and internationality continue to increase in all aspects of life", Dromberg suggests.
The compiled list could then be used in schools and when educating immigrants about what it is to be Finnish.
According to Dromberg, compiling such an anthology would reduce conflicts and contradictions. Other cultures should be valued and understood, even if Finnishness was specified in such a definitive way.
Also, a broad-based approach would be needed when compiling the canon, in order to avoid the stigma of elitism in determining what is - and what is not - Finnish culture. The sad fact in most cases is that works elevated to the canon would immediately be known by name and respected, but would not necessarily be on anyone's "must-read" list.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 1.8.2006 - TODAY |
 Nordic countries compile lists of definitive culture
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