Seminar

Sven Hedin and His Time

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Sven Hedin, a prominent Swedish figure from the turn of the last century, was the subject of a recently conducted seminar. During the event, various aspects of his life as an explorer, author, and political actor were explored.

Hedin gained recognition for his adventurous expeditions in Central Asia, and his books reached an international audience. The seminar included presentations and panel discussions that deepened our understanding of the complex life of Sven Hedin. Speakers addressed topics such as Hedin’s nationalism around the turn of the century, his family background and business ventures, as well as his connection to Germany and Adolf Hitler. Furthermore, his significance as an author and cartographer, along with his influence on Swedish geopolitics and diplomacy, was highlighted. The seminar delved into how Sven Hedin, both celebrated and controversial, reflected the historical era in which he operated and its impact on Sweden’s politics during the Second World War.

Contributors

Christian Abrahamson

Ph.D. in Cultural Geography and Writer

Svante Nordin

Professor Emeritus in Intellectual History, Lund University

Axel Odelberg

Author

Thomas Reinertsen Berg

Author

Jan Romgard

Ph.D. in Asian Languages and Cultures, Researcher at the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Stockholm University

Staffan Thorsell

Former Editor-in-Chief of Expressen and Author

Nils Uddenberg

Professor and Author

Håkan Wahlqvist

Director of the Sven Hedin Foundation, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences