Culinary Experts Express Disappointment Over Exclusion from Sweden's Cultural Canon
Culinary experts criticize Sweden's cultural canon for omitting food culture from its list.
- • Sweden's cultural canon omits food and drink culture, sparking backlash.
- • Culinary figures express disappointment, emphasizing food's cultural significance.
- • Public nominations included nearly 80 food items, reflecting interest in food heritage.
- • Critics question resource allocation to the cultural canon amid underfunding concerns.
Key details
Sweden's recently unveiled cultural canon has faced backlash for omitting food and drink from its list of significant cultural elements. This announcement, made by Culture Minister Parisa Liljestrand, has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from culinary professionals who emphasize the integral role of food in cultural identity.
Culinary historian Edward Blom described the omission as "very strange," arguing that food is a vital component of cultural heritage. Chef Leif Mannerström, with nearly 70 years of culinary experience, echoed this sentiment, expressing disappointment that traditional dishes, including meatballs and pickled herring, were overlooked. He stated, "I am very disappointed. One may not understand how important our food culture is. I am very proud of the food culture we have in Sweden."
The cultural canon, which aims to highlight Sweden's notable contributions to arts and society, includes icons like Ikea and Strindberg but ignores food culture despite public nominations that featured nearly 80 food items, showing strong public interest. Lars Trägårdh, the committee chairman, had previously recognized food as an essential aspect of cultural heritage, affirming its significance to humanity.
Additional criticism comes from Anna Troberg, president of the DIK union, who has questioned the allocation of resources towards the canon amidst ongoing underfunding in the cultural sector. She argued that the discussions surrounding the canon would ultimately be fleeting. Furthermore, concerns have emerged regarding the ideological implications of a national cultural canon, with some cultural figures expressing doubt about its long-term impact.
As the debate continues, the exclusion of food culture remains a contentious topic in Sweden's cultural discourse, signaling a need for further discussions on the definition of cultural significance in the canon.