In an interview during the Almedalen political week, Minister of Culture Parisa Liljestrand (M) stated that ”Swedishness” is about something entirely different from the Swedish people. When asked whether Swedes are worth preserving and whether it is Swedes who make Sweden Swedish, she answered no—it is “more than just Swedes.”.
The interview, conducted by Frihetsnytt Tor-Björn Richthoff Änglasjö, has quickly sparked strong reactions. Many find the statement bizarre—especially coming from a culture minister whose job is to safeguard Sweden’s cultural heritage.
”Aren’t they the Swedes?”
Tor-Björn asked three questions in a row:
- Do Swedes exist as a distinct ethnic group?
- Are we worth preserving?
- Is there a population replacement taking place in Sweden?
Parisa Liljestrand He first confirmed that Swedes exist as an ethnic group. But when asked what makes Sweden Swedish, his answer was clear.
- I think we need to preserve what makes Sweden Swedish, ”, says Parisa, to which Tor-Björn responds with the question: ”Isn't it the Swedes?"
- No, you know, I think it’s more than just the Swedes. Everyone who was born here, but it’s just as important for those of us who have come here. […] By accepting the values of this society, by becoming part of society, by working, by helping to build a strong society—I also see myself as Swedish., ", Parisa replied.
She emphasized her own background as both Iranian and Swedish, with ”two homelands,” and said she sees no problem with the fact that borders are not ”rigid” because ”we are all human beings.”.
When the interviewer pointed out that there are municipalities where ”basically only immigrants live” and asked if this constitutes a population replacement there, Liljestrand replied that one ”can interpret it however one wants” — but that she does not believe any population replacement is taking place in Sweden as a whole.
”She doesn’t see our being replaced as a problem”
After the interview, Tor-Björn himself commented:
”She acknowledges that we exist as Swedes, but she doesn’t think it’s a problem that we’re being replaced. So now we know […] who to vote for this fall.”
At the same time, he praised Liljestrand for responding promptly and respectfully—something he said was unusual among ministers.
How bizarre can it get?
The fact that Sweden’s Minister of Culture, right in the middle of Almedalen, is effectively saying that it is not the Swedes who make Sweden Swedish is more than just a political opinion. It is a redefinition of Swedishness in which the ethnic Swedish people are de-emphasized in favor of a purely value-based and inclusive definition—regardless of origin.
A minister whose job is to protect and promote Swedish culture has instead chosen to open the door to the idea that Swedish identity can be preserved just as well—or even better—by people who are not originally Swedish. This is a view that many find directly counterproductive and historically remarkable.
While Liljestrand acknowledges that Swedes exist as a group, she dismisses concerns about demographic changes as irrelevant. The result is a cultural policy in which the Swedish people are no longer seen as the bearers of Swedishness—but rather as one of many groups in a multicultural project.
The video from Almedalen has already gone viral on social media, and reactions have been swift. The question many are now asking is: If Swedes don’t make Sweden Swedish—then who does? And why do we have a culture minister who seems to think the answer is no longer obvious?
We must prohibit foreigners from participating in Swedish politics at all.
A foreigner—any foreigner, for that matter—has absolutely no sense of this country.
They prove it time and time again.
This just isn't going to work.
Agree unreservedly!
She talks just like a Sweden Democrat, so it's not surprising at all. Their policies are just that terrible.
Exactly!