Rikard Friberg von Sydow (Södertörn University)
In September 2016, journalist Ola Wong wrote an op-ed in the newspaper “Svenska Dagbladet” with a title that translates to ” The government is turning museums into propaganda centers”. Wong claimed to have seen a change at the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm, arguing that it had shifted from an intellectual position to “sensitiveness to shallow opinions in the media and politics.“ The text started a debate that would continue for several years.
The purpose of this paper is to deconstruct the debate regarding Swedish museums over the last eight years. Focusing on the debate between Ola Wong and different representatives of Swedish museums. The analysis will focus on claims regarding the purpose of a museum made in the debate, using previous theoretical discussions regarding the purpose of the museum.