Thought Leadership Stage: Culture as a Means of Power with Martin Gelin (SE) and Lotte Folke Kaarsholm
Soft power in hard times. Meet journalist and author Martin Gelin for a conversation about the role of culture in the struggle for world order.
How do countries like Russia, China and Saudi Arabia use culture as a tool to gain power and influence – and what is there to do for us in the West? Meet Martin Gelin, a Swedish journalist and award-winning author, in conversation with Lotte Folke, when he visits our library on 24 September to celebrate his new book Mjuk makt: Kultur och propaganda i den nya världsordningen.
In uncertain times marked by geopolitical tensions and disinformation, culture and values play an increasingly important role in the struggle for the world order. We have moved from the open seduction of Coca-Cola culture to the covert manipulation of algorithms with state interference through apps such as TikTok and Temu.
This is the opinion of author Martin Gelin, who in his new book describes how countries such as Russia, China and Saudi Arabia are investing massively in cultural propaganda as a means of gaining power and influence on a global scale. According to Martin Gelin, this is happening at the same time that many Western countries underestimate the importance of so-called 'soft power' and consider culture to be a luxury in times of crisis – instead of a necessary safeguard.
On 24 September, he will visit Royal Danish Library for a conversation with journalist and culture editor Lotte Folke about the importance of culture in the struggle for power on a global scale.
Bente Skovgaard Kristensen, Director of Royal Danish Library, says: Cultural resilience has become a buzzword these days. Global conflicts and power shifts are not just a question of military strength and economic power: A significant part of the fight is taking place through culture, values and shared narratives. This is happening quite openly in Ukraine, where attacks on the country's culture and identity have become part of the war. But it is also happening in secret, where cultural influence from all over the world can crawl into our everyday lives through apps and algorithms – and it is important to be aware of this. That is why I am very pleased that we can welcome Martin Gelin to The Black Diamond for an afternoon of literature and culture. I hope that many - young and old - will seize the opportunity.
Participants
Martin Gelin
After 23 years in New York, Martin Gelin returned to Sweden in 2024. As a US correspondent and author of seven books on American politics, society and culture, he has been following the global status of the United States closely. With the book Mjuk makt: Kultur och propaganda i den nya världsordningen, he focuses on how authoritarian regimes such as China, Russia and Saudi Arabia use culture, algorithms and state-funded propaganda to gain global influence, while Western democracies are increasingly falling behind in the geopolitical power struggle. His message is clear: Cultural influence and credibility are just as important as military and economic strength today.
Lotte Folke Kaarsholm
Lotte Folke Kaarsholm is a culture editor at the Danish newspaper Politiken and former host of Deadline on DR. She is also a former editor-in-chief of the Danish newspaper Information and former opinion editor at Politiken.
Part of the series Thought Leadership Stage
Photo: Malthe Ivarsson Det Kgl. Bibliotek
Royal Danish Library's series of events on economics, politics, philosophy and management.
On Thought Leadership Stage, Royal Danish Library addresses the state of the world and places the philosophical and educational questions in relation to leadership and development in a broad sense on the agenda.
