Canons of National Cultures: Experiences of the Netherlands, Denmark, and Latvia in the 2000s

Abstract

The article is an attempt at analyzing the experience of making so called canons of culture of three European countries: the Netherlands, Denmark, and Latvia. What is implied are rosters of “cultural articles” that are officially recognized as most important and essential for the culture and history of these countries and corresponding nations – the Dutch, Danish, and Latvians. Among such articles are selected personalities, architectural monuments, works of fine art and performative arts, literature, and, as in the case of the Netherlands in particular, historic events, happenings, and figures. In the Latvian case, there is also a roster of folk traditions which is subjected to analysis in the article. The projects under consideration – both their content and function – have engendered various reactions in the societies of the above-mentioned countries, raising sharp debates in some cases.