While Denmark and Norway quickly limited the possibility of organizing cultural events, Sweden chose to stay open longer.
Despite this, cultural life in the countries was affected in much the same way.
The Swedish audience chose not to attend the cultural events, even though they were open.
- One would think that Sweden's less restrictive strategy would be an advantage for the cultural sector.
But we have seen that the consequences are very great even there, says Ola Berge, senior researcher and one of the authors of the report Covid-19 pandemic's effects on the cultural sector in the Nordic countries to SR's Kulturnytt.
Relatively accurate support
Activities based on public gatherings: concerts, performances and exhibitions have been hit hardest by the pandemic.
The state support has worked best for actors in the music and performing arts sector.
But the money has not benefited everyone.
- The measures and crisis support packages in the Nordic countries seem to have been relatively accurate.
However, a problem in several countries is that the small players, mainly self-employed, have not been reached by the support to the desired extent, says Joakim Boström Elias, operations manager at Kulturanalys Norden.
"Can become a nationalization of culture"
The authors of the report also make the analysis that the number of cultural exchanges across national borders may decrease after the pandemic.
- It is likely that it will take time before cultural production based on travel and international cooperation is restored, and this may mean a certain "nationalization" of cultural production and possibly reduced cultural policy exchange within the Nordic region, says Joakim Boström Elias.