Summary for Posting:
In winter 2023, Norway’s cultural sector was rocked by debates on woke and cancel culture, sparked by two incidents. The National Museum’s chief curator decided against displaying a painting deemed “colonial,” and Roald Dahl’s Norwegian publisher considered changes based on sensitivity readers’ suggestions. These events ignited a fierce public discourse in newspapers, involving artists, politicians, and critics. The debates highlighted tensions between free speech and minority inclusion, with critics arguing that such actions threatened artistic freedom and national cultural heritage. Drawing on 110 newspaper articles, this analysis explores why these incidents caused such uproar, situating them within Norway’s commitment to free speech and the global rise of identity politics. The museum and publisher eventually reversed their decisions amid public backlash, underscoring the power of free speech advocates in Norway’s public sphere.
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