Swedish Cultural Debate Spotlighted at Folk och Kultur 2026

The Folk och Kultur convention in Eskilstuna is set to host critical discussions on the societal value of culture in Sweden on February 6, 2026. Koalition för kulturdebatt, in partnership with Arena Idé, will present two key events examining culture's role in society and democracy.

Historian Sverker Sörlin will lead a session titled “The Value of Culture,” discussing culture's impact on society, democracy, and the future. This event will be held from 11:30 to 12:15 at Eskilstuna folkhögskola.

Following this, from 13:00 to 14:00, members of Sweden’s parliamentary cultural committee will engage in a panel debating cultural values, future cultural policy directions, and collective responsibilities toward culture. This dialogue seeks to influence the shaping of Sweden’s cultural policies.

Folk och Kultur is one of Sweden’s largest cultural-political conventions, featuring over 200 seminars and events that emphasize art and culture's role in society. The convention takes place in Munktellstaden, Eskilstuna, attracting cultural policymakers, artists, and the public to discuss culture’s societal contributions.

These discussions come amid ongoing national conversations on culture’s importance not only as artistic expression but also as a cornerstone of democratic life. The involvement of the cultural committee underscores the institutional recognition of culture’s strategic role in Sweden’s societal development.