Bridging the Past and Present : An Analysis of the Swedish Institute’s National Narrative of Sweden and World War II From the War Through the 1960s

Abstract: This thesis explores the Swedish Institute’s construction of a national narrative of Sweden and the war and how it changed over time by comparing three time periods, 1939-1945, 1946-1959, 1960-1969. The adapting narrative of World War II serves to illustrate changes in the Swedish Institute’s projected Swedish identity, focusing on neutrality as an intrinsic component. Creating a national narrative to compliment Sweden’s image served to strengthen Sweden’s international reputation. Thus the Swedish Institute’s narrative of Sweden and the war adjusts according to the changing contexts. Ultimately the Swedish Institute constructed a narrative that was complimentary to the image of Sweden they intended to promote internationally.