When Nordiska Museet in Stockholm turns 150, it’s time to celebrate!

By Lena Hunter

What happens when an established institution like Nordiska Museet in Stockholm turns 150? It celebrates all year long with a varied programme of exhibitions, activities and cultural events addressed to a wide public.

Located in the centre of Sweden’s capital city, on the urban island of Djurgården, Nordiska Museet, which first opened its doors in 1873, portrays Sweden’s cultural history through an interesting ethnographic collection. The museum is open every day of the year and, besides its permanent collections and temporary exhibitions, offers a unique assortment of everyday items, personalised gifts and a selection of handicrafts from the Nordic countries in its charming shop.

Over the past 150 years, the museum has become one of the most well-known institutions in Sweden, bringing a modern touch to the presentation of cultural history. To emphasise its landmark anniversary, Nordiska Museet will celebrate throughout 2023 with a wide range of activities and exhibitions. It will also mark the occasion with a renewed visual identity, by increasing accessibility to the building, and by inaugurating a new permanent exhibition at the beginning of 2024.

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Bird’s eye view of the exhibition Come to Norden. Photo: Peter Segemark, Nordiska museet

So, what might a visit to the museum in its 150th year entail? “Visiting Nordiska Museet means travelling through time and space. On this journey, you will have the possibility to join a guided tour to discover of the history of the museum itself, try out traditional handicraft in the form of a knitting event, or take part in various workshops,” says museum director Sanne Houby-Nielsen.

It is worth mentioning the two main events occurring during the spring: the family day in March, followed by the ‘Night at the Nordiska Museet’ event in Autumn, and the Culture Night on 22 April, when the museum – along with other cultural institutions in Stockholm – will open for a special festive night that gives a nod to the museum’s 150-year-long history.

The Jubileumskort (Jubilee Card) will grant access not only to the museum itself, but also to other cultural-historical destinations, such as Julita Gård, the castle and park of Tyresö, the summer resort of Svindersvik, and Härkeberga chaplain’s residence, as well as a series of concerts and events.
Even if you won’t pass through Stockholm this year, you can contribute to Nordiska Museet’s history-in-the-making, by submitting your predictions for what Sweden and the north will be like in the year 2173 on Nordiska Museet’s website.