Vasaloppet – a cultural treasure of Sweden

In the report “A cultural canon for Sweden”, Vasaloppet is described as “a ski race that uniquely combines history, sports, outdoor life, and culture.”

The Swedish cultural canon is divided into two main categories: the arts and society. Each includes five areas. The arts cover literature, visual arts and design, music, film and performing arts, and scholarly nonfiction. These reflect both shared traditions and cultural diversity. The society category includes law, religion, economy, inventions, and the public sphere, representing the institutional and material foundations of Swedish culture, shaped by both continuity and change.

Vasaloppet now shares its place in the canon with cultural icons such as Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking, Hilma af Klint’s paintings, IKEA’s design, and the music of Evert Taube. Also included are Ingmar Bergman’s film The Seventh Seal, Stockholm City Hall, Selma Lagerlöf’s novel Gösta Berling’s Saga, Vilhelm Moberg’s novel The Emigrants, and the Swedish tradition of allemansrätten – the right to roam in nature. From the realm of science and society, it includes Carl Linnaeus’s Systema Naturae, the Nobel Prize, and the 1766 Freedom of the Press Act. Together, these selections reflect the creativity, values, and traditions that have shaped Sweden.

Several of these cultural treasures are also rooted in the same region as Vasaloppet: the province of Dalarna. Here you’ll find the historic Falun copper mine, once one of Europe’s most important industrial sites, and Lilla Hyttnäs, the home and studio of painter Carl Larsson, whose art helped define Swedish domestic aesthetics. Composer Hugo Alfvén lived and worked in Dalarna for much of his life, and his Swedish Rhapsody No. 1 – Midsommarvaka (Midsummer Vigil) is also included.

Whether you’re a seasoned skier or simply curious to experience a piece of living history, there’s no better time to join. Be part of a tradition so deeply rooted in Swedish culture that it’s now officially recognized as a national treasure.

FACTS/ In the government report, Vasaloppet is described as follows
“The world’s longest, largest, and oldest long distance cross-country ski race. An initiative by editor and member of parliament, Anders Pers (1860–1951) of Vestmanlands Läns Tidning, announced on February 10, 1922, organized by IFK Mora with the support and financing of Dagens Nyheter. The race runs from Sälen to Mora and takes place annually on the first Sunday in March. In total, over 1.5 million skiers have taken part in Vasaloppet, and nowadays the various events during the Vasaloppet week usually attract between 50,000 and 60,000 participants.”

Motivation for including Vasaloppet among the 100 items on the list:
“Vasaloppet is one of Sweden’s best-known sporting events, with a strong historical and cultural significance. The race is 90 kilometers long and runs from Sälen to Mora, inspired by the legend of Gustav Vasa’s adventures in Dalarna in 1520–21 and the (reversed) route he skied toward Norway to escape the Danes. Above the finish line, the race’s motto is painted: In our forefathers’ tracks for future victories. Beside it stands the artist Anders Zorn’s 1903 statue of Gustav Vasa.

Vasaloppet has participants from many countries outside Sweden. The ban on women participating ended in 1981, and an official women’s class was established in 1997.

Many Swedes have either participated themselves, know someone who has, or follow the race on television, radio, or in person: at least 50,000 spectators usually line the course. The race showcases Swedish sport as a popular movement, with both amateurs and elite athletes among the participants. It is carried out on cross-country skis, a sport popular across much of the country and one in which Sweden has excelled internationally. Many of the nation’s most famous athletes have been cross-country skiers. When the Swedish Sports Confederation celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2003, the Vasaloppet finish line was recognized as one of the 100 notable sports venues in Sweden.

The race also reflects the deep Swedish interest in outdoor life and nature. It passes through landscapes rich in natural and cultural heritage; forests, marshes, streams, villages, and mountain farms. Even the checkpoints, such as Mångsbodarna and Oxberg, have become well-known, as has the blueberry soup served to participants along the way.”

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En kulturkanon för Sverige (only in Swedish) >