Romanian propaganda in Sweden during the Second World War

Andreea DAHLQUIST

DOI: 10.47743/asui-2021-0031

Abstract: The propaganda used by the Romanian authorities prior to the Second World War and during its first two years was weak and disorganized. Following the loss of provinces during the summer of 1940, Romanian attitudes changed mainly in response to the aggressive and widespread nature of Hungarian propaganda, which claimed the whole territory of Transylvania. In this situation, the Romanian Legation from Stockholm received instructions to spread national propaganda through media and cultural activities. This presented a challenge for the Legations staff, who struggled with various problems generated chiefly by a lack of funds and interest shown by the authorities from Bucharest. Even so, the Romanian diplomats succeeded in bringing artists and writers such as Dinu Lipatti and Liviu Rebreanu to Sweden to organize concerts, exhibitions and lectures. Their efforts made their work visible in the Swedish mass media, reaching ordinary people from small towns and villages across the nation.

Keywords: culture; propaganda; Swedish press; Romania; Second World War.