The intangible cultural treasures of Scandinavia

From sauna rituals to traditional costumes and drum dancing – in recent years, the Scandinavian countries have had a number of noteworthy entries on UNESCOs Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. But what’s it all about, and how and where can you experience the cultural treasures? In this feature, we explore just that.

When UNESCO established its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in 2008, the Scandinavian countries did not, to put it nicely, take it by storm. In recent years, however, the region has had several noteworthy entries included on the list, and slowly, the population, as well as politicians, have awoken to its potential.

Summer farming seter and fäbod. Photo: Erik Frost, 2022

Pages have been created to allow citizens to submit their ideas for entries. In Denmark, a movement to include the Danish “pølsevogn” (mobile hotdog stand) has collected more than 11.000 signatures and garnered media broad attention as well as the support of the Minister of Culture, who also supports the inclusion of open sandwiches, ”hygge” and the Danish folk high school on the list.

“The Cubans have rumba, the French have the baguette, and the Japanese have just had sake-making added to UNESCO’s list. Now it’s time to get a uniquely Danish cultural heritage on the list because we have a lot to be proud of here in Denmark. We must cherish Danish traditions and craftsmanship,” says Jakob Engel-Schmidt.

So far, however, Denmark just has one individual entry on the list, an entry which originates in Greenland. Norway, on the other hand, has recently had its second exclusive entry inscribed on the list, its traditional costume. Overall, it seems the Scandinavian countries have finally caught onto the value of their cultural heritage—and now, you can explore it too.

Mother and child in bunad – Norway’s national day. Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen-Maverix Media AS /Visitnorway.com

Sauna culture
Finland

Perhaps not surprisingly, Finland’s renowned sauna culture became its first entry on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2020. Deeply embedded in Finnish life, a sauna is traditionally seen as a space for cleansing both body and mind. Of course, saunas play a role in many cultures, but in Finland, they have become entwined in the national culture and with over 3 million saunas for a population of 5.5 million, they are found everywhere—from city apartments to country cottages, corporate offices, and even the president’s residence.

Due to the widespread prevalence of saunas all over Finland, as a visitor, it will be almost impossible not to encounter the opportunity to sauna in one form or another. After the sauna, it is common to cool off by jumping in a lake or rolling in fresh snow, depending on the season. In summer, you might also be offered a vihta—a bundle of birch branches dipped in water—used to gently tap your skin, boosting circulation and releasing a fresh aroma.

Summer farming at fäbod and seter
Sweden and Norway

In 2024, mountain summer farming, known as seterdrift in Norway and fäboddrift in Sweden, was recognized as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Historically led by milkmaids, summer farming involves moving livestock to outlying, lands in late spring, blending animal husbandry, dairy production, and handicrafts with traditions like herding calls, songs, and storytelling. Today, the practice often involves entire families with knowledge passed down through generations or through experienced farmers, and formal training in schools. While providing a modest financial profit, the practice supports mental and physical well-being, quality food production, and biodiversity and fosters a strong sense of identity.

For visitors, there are plenty of opportunities to experience this unique cultural heritage as numerous summer farms engage in sustainable tourism, some providing both food and accommodation for guests, as well as dairy sales. Moreover, most summer pastures are set in stunning sceneries and provide beautiful opportunities to fully soak up the wholesome serenity of the Swedish and Norwegian mountain landscape in the summer.

Woman’s bunad from Telemark. Photo: iamnordic – Visit Telemark

Traditional costumes
Norway

For over 150 years, Norwegians have proudly worn their traditional folk costume, the bunad, which was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list last year. Unlike traditional folk costumes in other countries, Norwegians regularly wear their bunad on special occasions like weddings, confirmations and graduations, and for many the costume follows them through life or even passes through generations. However, like any tradition, the costume and its associated practices have also developed through the years; today, it has, for instance, become a tradition among many immigrants to acquire their first traditional costumes when they receive their Norwegian citizenship.

The best time for a visitor to experience the colourful splendour of this well-maintained cultural heritage is 17 May when Norwegians celebrate their independence from Denmark. On this day, as people gather in parades and parks, almost everyone will be donning their bunad, and towns and cities turn into a truly spectacular show of national and cultural pride.

Greenlandic drum dancer, musician and filmmaker Varna Marianne Nielsen performing at the Suialaa Arts festival. Photo: Sermersooq Business Council

Inuit drum dancing and singing
Denmark

So far, Denmark’s only solo entry on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list originates from the autonomous territory of Greenland. As an indigenous form of Inuit artistic expression, drum dances and songs are frequently performed during national holidays and festive events in Greenland. During a drum dance, the drum, or qilaat, is lifted and lowered in different directions, and a stick made of bone or wood is struck to produce a sharp echoing, percussive beat. Many variations of the dance exist; in some versions, the performer will change their appearance by putting a stick in their mouth lengthways so that their cheeks are distended and their voice changes. For the Greenlandic Inuit, drum dancing and singing are perceived as symbols of equity and equality and provide a persistent connection to Greenlandic myths and rituals.

As a lot of people are currently trying to revive the tradition of drum dance, visitors to Greenland will have several opportunities to experience the heritage, for example on Greenland’s National Day, at the National Theatre of Greenland, or at cultural festivals and events such as the Suialaa Arts Festival in Nuuk.

Nordic clinker boat traditions
Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland

To maintain the Nordic legacy of clinker boat traditions, a host of Nordic institutions initiated the first joint Nordic application for UNESCO recognition. In 2021, the tradition was inscribed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

The clinker boats are small, open wooden vessels, typically 5–10 meters long, built using techniques that have remained largely unchanged for thousands of years. Crafted by Nordic communities, they were historically used for fishing and transport and played a pivotal role in connecting people from coast to coast.

At the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde travellers can experience the making of Clinker boats. Photo:Werner Karrasch © The Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde

The fact that this tradition is still alive bears testament to the Nordic nation’s commitment to preserving their maritime heritage. Indeed, mastering clinker boatbuilding requires years of training, traditionally beginning in childhood and taking up to a decade. Despite this, about a thousand people still make a living from their production of the boats which are, today, primarily used in regattas, cultural events and as private leisure boats.

For visitors, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the traditions of boatbuilding and experience the vessels on the sea at museums such as the Danish Viking Ship Museum, the Swedish Open Air Museum Skansen and Hardanger Maritime Centre in Norway or at the yearly Naantali boat festivals in Finland.

Photo:Werner Karrasch © The Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde

The practice of traditional music and dance in Setesdal
Norway

In 2019, The practice of traditional music and dance, in Setesdal became Scandinavia’s first entry on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and that’s not surprising at all. Since the 18th century, this traditional expression of music and dance in Setesdal has enjoyed continuous transmission through social gatherings or from adult experts to younger generations – remaining mainly unchanged.

With music performed on the ‘Hardanger’ fiddle, Norway’s national instrument, and the jaw harp and dancers dressed in traditional costumes, this is an experience that provides a genuine connection between the past and present of the local population.

Due to its continued prevalence, visitors to Setesdal can experience traditional music and dance at various events. During the summer months, “Culture Patrols”–groups of young musicians and dancers in folk costumes–help keep the tradition alive by performing in restaurants, squares, and parks throughout the valley.

Norwegian folk dance – Norsk Folkemuseum. Photo: Norsk Folkemuseum, Morten Brun

Kaustinen fiddle playing
Finland

Kaustinen folk music is a vibrant Finnish music tradition centred around the fiddle, with a history spanning over 250 years. While other instruments may accompany it, the violin remains the defining voice of the style. Played by ear, the style features syncopated and accented rhythms that make it highly danceable.

Music is woven into everyday life in the area of Kaustinen, played privately, in organised groups, at weddings, public celebrations, and concerts. For visitors, the annual Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, offer round-the-clock jamming and performances in the festive atmosphere of the long Finnish summer days of July.

Näppäri is a Kaustinen-originating folk music pedagogy. The all-year Kaustinen Näppäri group is joined by several hundred players from all over Finland. Photo: Risto Savolainen