Culture
Here you will find all the content related to the category 'culture'.
2019.04.01 | The Quick Read, Thomas Hylland Eriksen, Culture
The role of nature in the Nordic countries
With a low population density in all Nordic countries barring Denmark, nature has taken on a central feature of everyday life for many in the region. It has also played a role in the formation of national identity reflected in art and the ideal of being outdoors.
2019.03.27 | The Quick Read, Thomas Hylland Eriksen, Culture
Whaling by Nordic countries
Iceland, Norway and the Faroe Islands are among the few countries in the world that still permit limited whaling.
2019.03.26 | The Quick Read, Thomas Hylland Eriksen, Culture
Second homes in the Nordics
Second homes are used as holiday and weekend getaways in the Nordic countries by many people, not just the elite, probably due to widespread prosperity and an abundance of space.
2019.03.25 | The Quick Read, Thomas Hylland Eriksen, Culture
Smoking in the Nordic countries
Even before Norway banned smoking in public arenas in 2004 and the other Nordic countries followed suit, the percentage of the population who smoke has been diminishing and continues to do so, although Swedish snuff (snus) can be chosen as an alternative.
2019.03.19 | The Quick Read, Thomas Hylland Eriksen, Culture
Mobile phones in the Nordic countries: historical overview
The Nordic mobile telephone network Nordisk MobilTelefoni (NMT) opened in 1981 quickly becoming the world’s largest until the early 2000s when it was superseded by the digital GSM network. Unlike the original Nordic telecommunications companies which were state-owned, mobile providers remain private. Since the turn of the century and certainly…
2019.03.19 | The Quick Read, Thomas Hylland Eriksen, Culture
Jantelov
Jantelov or the Law of Jante refers to a disdainful attitude to extraordinary achievements and is often mockingly used to exemplify unflattering aspects of the alleged Nordic trait of placing the value of equality above all else.
2019.03.19 | The Quick Read, Thomas Hylland Eriksen, Culture
Folk costumes in the Nordics today
The use of folk costumes is widespread in, for example, Åland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Sami areas and their social importance varies, although is particularly significant in Norway.
2019.03.01 | The Quick Read, John Weinstock, Culture, Minorities
Yoiking, a Sami musical expression
Yoik is the native Sami musical expression which is reminiscent of singing. It has layers of meaning as it holds identity markers and was traditionally very significant in how social interaction took place within Sami communities (and still is to a certain extent). It also had more practical purposes, such as calming reindeer.
2019.03.01 | Article, John Weinstock, Culture, Minorities
Sami handicrafts
Duodji, the Sami word for handicrafts/applied art, has a long and illustrious history. Handicraft has been influenced by the need to survive in a harsh arctic environment (production of clothes to keep warm and weapons to hunt with) and the nomadic nature of the Sami (leading to rounded shapes so as not to hurt reindeer), but have also been…
2019.02.27 | Article, Kyle Frackman, Culture, Education
Swedish speakers in Finland
Finland has two official languages, Finnish and Swedish, as a result of its more than 600-years as part of the Kingdom of Sweden (until 1809). While the Swedish-speaking minority has remained relatively small, the Finnish Constitution and other relevant legislation guarantee them the same language rights as Finnish speakers. This has resulted in…