The Chairman Lars Trägårdh has chosen to exclude officials from the work, according to internal documents that DN has taken part of. In addition to the committee, four state officials, appointed by the Ministry of Culture, have participated. However, when decisions were to be made during a conference at Sigtunastiftelsen in September, the officials were not allowed to be present, but instead had to go out for walks.
"The committee believes that the quality of the discussions becomes better if they meet alone", it states in the confidential protocol.
"Did not agree"
The setup was criticized by Marlen Eskander, one of the committee's former members, and contributed to her leaving the committee.
The secretariat consists of 3.5 positions, they are competent people and the investigation's most important operational apparatus, they are extremely important for the implementation. I did not agree with that working method, says Marlen Eskander to TT.
At the same time, she also criticized that the committee did not want to let organizations and authorities propose experts who would then select the works to be included in the cultural canon.
I wanted an inclusive working process, I don't think the committee should do everything itself.
In addition to her, one official has jumped off the assignment and another is on sick leave.
No lower limit
The Minister of Culture's press secretary Sara E Persson writes in an email that the committee "works independently based on the government's directives". Questions are therefore referred to Lars Trägårdh. There is no lower limit for the number of committee members.
Representatives from the national minorities have previously accused the investigation of oppression and lawbreaking.
The investigation is to be presented to the government at the end of August 2025.
TT has sought Lars Trägårdh.
