Cultural preparedness in a time of uncertainty
From the Culture Meeting on Mors to defense plans in the Nordic countries. The debate on strengthening the cultural front has risen high on the agenda. Researchers, cultural leaders, and politicians are discussing the role that a strong awareness of our shared culture plays in Denmark鈥檚 resilience in uncertain times.
Military build-up in Denmark and Europe is in full swing. Purchases of armored personnel carriers from Finland, missiles from France, and an additional allocation of 10 billion kroner in the 2026 budget for defense and support to Ukraine. The threat landscape has changed, and Denmark is preparing to defend its territory.
But if resilience is to be mobilized within a population 鈥� a kind of spiritual build-up that goes beyond military defense 鈥� what levers need to be pulled?
What values are we fighting for?
- In a situation where we are under pressure from the outside, it is important to reflect on the foundation of values we stand on in Denmark and in the Nordic region 鈥� why it matters that we are under threat from outside, and which values we are fighting for, says Malene Breunig, Associate Professor of Aesthetics and Culture at the University of Southern Denmark.
Video on cultural preparedness
Malene Breunig and Kristian Handberg, both fellows at the Nordic Humanities Center, have, in collaboration with colleagues, organized a seminar on cultural preparedness in uncertain times, taking place on October 6.
鈥�In a situation where we are under external pressure, it is important to reflect on the foundation of values we stand on in Denmark and the Nordic countries.
In 2025, Malene Breunig is a fellow at the Nordic Humanities Center, a research and dissemination collaboration between the University of Southern Denmark and the University of Copenhagen. Together with colleagues, she has examined the role that culture more broadly has played during wars and crises.
A particular feature becomes apparent when combining military power with an image of a society and societal values that individuals feel motivated to support and belong to.
Hard and soft power in combination
People are not moved solely by coercion or money, but are also drawn to what feels "right". When states use a combination of hard and so-called "soft" power to gain public support for, for example, a military operation, it is called "smart power". The concept was developed and described by Joseph S. Nye, an American professor at Harvard University, who passed away in May of this year.
- In Norway, they have been particularly good at adopting some of these ideas and considering culture as an important form of preparedness, which, combined with military defense, can help protect us against external enemies, says Malene Breunig, emphasizing that critical thinking and resilience against, for example, manipulation and so-called fake news, also fall under this category.
In Norway’s total defense plan from 2024, culture is explicitly included.
In Denmark, resilience as a cultural theme has also made its way into public debate. During the Culture Meeting on Mors, held in late August, several high-ranking Danish politicians took part in discussions on cultural build-up, including the Prime Minister, the Minister for Emergency Preparedness, and the Minister of Culture.
How to win "souls"
- There is little doubt that the government looks to how, during previous crises, attempts were made to strengthen cohesion among the population,鈥� says Rasmus Mariager, Professor of History at the University of Copenhagen and fellow at the Nordic Humanities Center, referring to the many initiatives during the Cold War that aimed to keep the population positively disposed toward the Western alliance partners.
In his book 鈥淭he Struggle for Souls", which was nominated for Jyllands-Posten鈥檚 Literature Prize in 2024, Rasmus Mariager describes how the political struggle between the Soviet Union and the USA also became a fierce cultural battle for "souls"鈥攖hat is, to win over ordinary Danes to one鈥檚 cause.
鈥�There is little doubt that the government looks to how attempts were made during previous crises to strengthen cohesion among the population.
- There was a veritable myriad of actors attempting to influence and change the stance of the Danish people,鈥� says Rasmus Mariager, who, together with colleagues Malene Breunig, Kristian Handberg, and Mette Sandbye, is now focusing on how "cultural preparedness" should be interpreted today.
They are addressing this, among other things, through a seminar for professionals from the country鈥檚 museums and cultural institutions. It will take place on October 6 at TID 鈥� Museum Odense. .