As the Swedish government begins to address the question, "What is our culture?" debates have arisen. Is the iconic pop band ABBA representative? What about the globally recognized design brand IKEA, or Fika coffee breaks? Recently, the Swedish government launched its 'Cultural Canon' initiative aimed at identifying 100 classics that represent Swedish culture, but it has inadvertently triggered a backlash from the cultural sector.

According to reports, this initiative includes an 'Expert Version' led by scholars and journalists, as well as a 'Public Version' where people can freely nominate. The received proposals are varied and include ABBA, IKEA, Fika, and even Allemansrätten, the right for Swedes and tourists to roam freely on most private lands. The push for this initiative stems from a political compromise following the 2022 elections, where the far-right Sweden Democrats, although not formally in cabinet, leveraged their electoral gains to compel the government to act.

Many in the cultural community are concerned that the 'Cultural Canon' project could be used to create a narrative of 'authentic Swedishness,' idealizing the past while excluding the contributions of contemporary diverse groups. Mattias Andersson, Artistic Director of the Royal Dramatic Theatre, warned that this represents a 'retrotopia' that seeks to revive a singular vision of society from the 1950s. In response to criticism, historian Lars Trägårdh, who is leading the project, clarified that this initiative aims to help newcomers understand Sweden's 'map and compass,' emphasizing his academic neutrality. However, he admitted, 'I do not represent any ethnic diversity; I care about what has had a profound impact on Swedish history.'

This statement about disregarding diversity reignited controversy. Concerns in the arts community arise that if culture is defined solely by historical importance, contemporary, marginalized, and emerging cultural energies may be excluded. Culture is not simply a heritage exhibit, but rather a living entity that breathes through daily choices. Sweden is not the only example; back in 2006, Denmark and the Netherlands introduced their own cultural canon systems, which also triggered exclusionary debates. To date, the Swedish Cultural Canon website has only received around 9,000 proposals, indicating a notably low participation rate in a country with a population of over ten million.