Research at Svenskt visarkiv
Research is an important part of our mission to preserve and share the cultural heritage of music and dance.
A Long Tradition of Research
Svenskt visarkiv is a research institution focused on the cultural heritage of folk and popular music and dance. Since 1951, we have worked to process our collections scientifically and, through research and collaborations, to expand the knowledge of music and dance in Sweden.
What do We Research?
The aim of our research is to enhance the understanding of the cultural heritage of music and dance, and how they have influenced and been shaped by society. Our research is primarily conducted as projects and often draws from our own collections. Through research, our collections are also enriched with new archival material.
Research with an International Reach
We foster a vibrant research environment with seminars and active collaborations with universities, research networks, and other institutions, both within Sweden and internationally. We play a central role in ethnomusicology, an interdisciplinary field that explores the connections between music, culture, and society.
The archive’s journal Puls – Journal for Ethnomusicology and Dance and the International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance (ICTMD), in which the archive is represented, are important forums for Swedish ethnomusicology.
The Collections and Research
Our collections are a valuable resource for researchers and are regularly used in research projects and studies. To make the material more accessible, we continuously digitize our collections. This allows researchers to access the material both on-site in Stockholm and through various digital platforms.
Research Coordinator
Svenskt visarkiv is a part of Statens musikverk – National Collections of Music, Theatre and Dance. Our research, scientific seminars, and conferences are organized by our research coordinator. This role also involves disseminating information between universities, colleges, external research groups, and research funders on the one hand and the Statens Musikverk departments on the other. The research coordinator’s responsibilities include monitoring scientific developments and trends both nationally and internationally.
For research-related questions, please contact Sverker Hyltén-Cavallius, sverker.hylten-cavallius(at)svensktvisarkiv.se.