Sweden came to be seen as the epitome of modernity during the 1930s, mainly due to the book “Sweden: The Middle Way”, written by the American journalist Marquis Childs. Childs’ book influenced how the world viewed Sweden, and Sweden became a model. In addition, Sweden has, for most of the twentieth century, perceived itself to be “the world’s most modern country”. Within the framework of the project “Sweden is Made in Brussels, Paris and New York - Global and Spatial Negotiations at the World Fairs in the 1930s”, the construction of Sweden as “the world’s most modern country” is examined from a global historical perspective. The studies focus on the world fairs held in Brussels in 1935, Paris in 1937 and New York in 1939.
The studies within this project are carried out using David Harvey’s theory of space. Conceptualized space, lived space and experienced space are examined in relation to absolute space, relative space, and relational space. The project focuses on the plans for how Sweden was to be presented (conceptualized space), the presentations of Sweden (lived space) and the reactions to how Sweden presented itself (experienced space).
The subproject examines what was exhibited in the socioeconomic section of the Swedish pavilion at the 1937 World Fair in Paris. More specifically, the following questions are considered: What was presented and what role did Childs' book play?
Keywords
Research Profile
Intercultural Studies
Subject
History
Financiers
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