Updating Cultural History and Traditions: The Case of the Skansen Open-Air Museum

DOI: 10.33876/2311-0546/2025-3/104-122

Abstract

Public discourse on monuments of the country’s material, cultural and mental history plays an important role in the context of the actualization of historical memory and the achievement of mutual understanding in a complex multicultural society. Ethno-anthropological approaches allow us to view open-air museums not only as the phenomena of cultural and scientific life, but also as an educational resource which is clear and accessible to visitors of different ages and backgrouds. Skansen museum has managed to create exhibitions that lucidly present the complex issues of the historical and cultural patterns among the country's various ethnic groups, their traditional economic activities, everyday and festive life, and the formation of ethnic and cultural norms and traditions in different areas and regions. Preserving and maintaining historical traditions is especially relevant during periods of significant socioeconomic transformation. Such global changes have taken place in the world and in Europe over the past century (World War II, local conflicts, the migration boom of 2015–2016). The result of these serious socio-political changes was the emergence of a multicultural society in Sweden, replacing the previous monoethnic and monocultural society with its traditional ethnic minorities (Sami, Turks, Gypsies, Finns, and Jews).