The Swedish Museum of History, The Viking World – the World’s Largest Viking Exhibition

June 24 was the opening day of the much-anticipated exhibition, “The Viking World” - the largest Viking exhibition in the world. It was held at the Swedish History Museum, which is the current home of the Helgö Buddha statue at the time of writing. The official replica of the Helgö Buddha was to now embark on its second journey, this time only a short distance across Stockholm, to the museum located at Östermalm. To make sure we would be able to enter, allowing for  Covid-19 restrictions and the associated maximum ceiling number of visitors, Jac and I arrived at the museum shortly after it opened in the morning. Luckily there was no queue and we walked straight into the Viking exhibition as the maximum number visitors had not yet been reached. 

We fully expected that one of the stars of the show would undoubtedly be the Helgö Buddha. Immediately after entering the exhibition space, we spotted it, deservedly prominently displayed  in a glass cabinet together with a crozier from Ireland and a bronze ladle from northern Africa. A larger three-dimensional version of the Helgö Buddha was immediately next to the statue that visitors could touch. An obligatory photograph with the replica statue in front of the original version seemed an appropriate way to document the auspicious occasion. 

Jac and Per at the Viking World exhibition at the Swedish History Museum 2021.

The world tree, Yggdrasil, was at the centre of the exhibition. Its roots are said to stretch from the underworld through to the world of the living to the heavens via the top branches. This tree was at the heart of Viking mythology and their world view. The exhibition focused on themes including social structures, people’s role in society, trade, plundering, cultural exchanges with distant lands, artwork, handicraft and faith-spiritual perspectives. 

We spent considerable time viewing each sections and enjoyed the 2,500 original objects on display tremendously! Electronic screens next to the displayed objects provided detailed information and there were also some good interactive presentations. There was also easy digital access through the web to the exhibition and all the objects. It was a very comprehensive, informative and inspirational world-class exhibition, which will have attracted many visitors, enhancing people’s and society’s understanding and appreciation of the Viking era. That said we felt that a few more maps and dates may have helped to impart an even better understanding of the bigger context of the Viking world.