- It is unimpressive, you had hoped for a strong name this time.

It is surprising that such a young and anonymous politician is given this assignment in a future government, says Expressen's head of culture Victor Malm.

The moderate Parisa Liljestrand is the chairman of the municipal council in Vallentuna and has a background as a teacher and principal, but has no documented experience of cultural policy.

"Better than a celebrity"

Aftonbladet's head of culture Karin Petterson had no idea who the new minister of culture was.

- I had to google a little quickly.

It is surprising, and difficult to assess her experience and knowledge in that area.

In a way better with an experienced municipal politician than a celebrity with no political experience, she says.

In today's government statement and in the press conference where the Tidö Agreement was presented last Friday, Ulf Kristersson mentioned long-term funding for Public Service and the principle of arm's length distance for culture.

Karin Pettersson interprets this as the three government parties not wanting to give the Sweden Democrats any influence over cultural policy.

- At the same time, I perceive it as very low ambitions in the field of cultural policy.

Proposals for a cultural canon that doesn't cost a penny, nothing that improves the conditions of cultural practitioners, nothing about school libraries or restarting culture after the pandemic.

I perceive it as empty and free symbolic politics.

Criticism of cultural canon

According to Ulf Kristersson's government declaration, an expert committee must draw up a proposal for a cultural canon.

The Swedish Writers' Union is among those who are critical of the proposal.

- The power of literature lies in its freedom, no one can decide what someone else must read.

Instead, the focus should be on staffing the school libraries and on association activities that can promote literature.

We sincerely hope that the Minister of Culture gets involved in cultural issues and that she does so via our interest organisations.

She must have a dialogue with us, says Grethe Rottböll, president of the authors' union.

Swedish performing arts believes that she takes office at a time when culture and the performing arts are facing major challenges.

- I have googled that she was a teacher, a good merit in the context, culture and education are connected, says Mikael Brännvall, CEO of Swedish Performing Arts.

- Powerful efforts will be needed after the pandemic, the businesses are facing increased energy prices.

She must not forget the restart investigation and the support that will be needed during the restart after the pandemic, he says.