Nordic Museology

The five Nordic countries - Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden - share a common cultural history. Four of them are closely related linguistically. Through the ages they have also been politically linked in a variety of combinations, causing both dramatic confrontations and inspiring nationalistic movements not without bearing on the museum history of the countries. The most lasting political unions were those between Denmark, Iceland and Norway (1380- 1814; Iceland stayed with Denmark until 1944) and between Finland and Sweden (1323-1809). In times of aggression from the 'outside' a loyalty between the Nordic countries based on the common history has also appeared and in the years after 1945 formal organisations have been established to promote cooperation in various fields of common interest.