Sub-cultural resistance and representations of the Sami : Conflicts of interest in the Umeå2014Capital of Culture project

Abstract: The Cultural Capital of Europe project aims to highlight and promote culture of a specific region in Europe during a calendar year. Umeå was chosen to become the Capital of Culture in 2014 and highlight the northern corner of Europe. A new “Open source” approach with the objective to increase participation and co-creation of different actors in the cultural capital year was introduced. This study examines media descriptions of the Samis and alternative cultural groups’ participation in the Cultural Capital year. Both quantitative and qualitative methodological tools were used to analyse descriptions of these groups’ in digital articles from local newspapers. The findings indicate of widespread discontent with how these groups were represented in the Cultural Capital year. The Samis were described as being excluded from planning but included in the implementation of the programme. The alternative cultural groups were instead described as being included in the planning but excluded from participation in the programme year. The relations between these groups and the organisers were analysed in terms of hegemony. The results indicate the relations being in balance at the beginning of the year but started to weaken at an early stage.