APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200090021-3
Strindberg (1849-1912), for the modern drama dates from his Master Olof (1872) and the modern novel from his The Red Room (1872). By his originality, his mastery of prose and dialogue, and the influence of his work and personality on Swedish, not to say European literature, he is by far the greatest writer Sweden has produced. The sharp social satire to which he devoted himself throughout his life has been of marked significance both socially and literarily within Sweden. Reaction to Strindberg in the 1880's took the form of a neo-romanticist movement, two leaders of which were Verner von Heidenstam (1859-1940) and Selma Lagerlof (1859-1940). Among Heidenstam's best known works is a series of romantic stories woven around Charles XII, St. Bridget, and the 13th and 14th century Folkung kings. With The Wonderful Adventures of Nils Holgerson, Lagerlof has entertained children throughout the world, and with her romantic Costa Berlings Saga, she established herself as one of the most popular authors of the neo-romanticist school. Both Heidenstam and Lagerlof received the Nobel Prize in literature.
The early years of the 20th century were a period of decadence and pessimism in Swedish literature, as in European literature in general. Representative of this mode are Hjalmar Soderberg (1869-1941) and Ro Bergman (1869-1967). Soderberg's forte was the short story, in which his psychological subtlety and irony are combined and in which, as in his novels Martin Bireks Ungdem (1901) and Doktor Glas (1905), he appears as a master of Swedish prose. Bergman also produced memorable short stories, but his real medium was the lyric; he developed and refined his talent in a series of collections from Marionetterna (1903) to Riket (1944). By 1930 a new group of "proletarian" writers appeared on the scene. These writers, known as "The Young Five"—Artur Lundkvist (1906- ), Harry Martinson (1904- ), Gustav Sandgren (1904- ), Erik Asklund (1908- ), and Josef Kjellgren (1907- )—opened new fields for literary production. Close to them stands Evvind Johnson (1900- ), one of 20th century Sweden's most gifted novelists, who was interested primarily in urban and industrial society and its problems.
World War II produced an ultrarealistic school of writers, eager to experiment with new styles and impatient with what they considered the slow rate of progress made by the "proletarian" writers. Par Lagerkuist (1891- ), who won the Nobel Prize, for literature in 1951, is regarded by many as the greatest Swedish writer of the 20th century. By the outbreak of World War II, Lagerkuist had already shown himself strongly influenced by the literature and art of Expressionism. In his poetry and drama he gradually shaped his own style, the power and simplicity of which characterize his later prose words—The Dwarf and Barrabus—in which the difficult conflicts of the times are clearly apparent under the historical disguise. Gunnar Ekelof, who began writing surrealistic poems early in the 1930's, later demonstrated a mastery of more traditional forms, and finally arrived at a uniqueness of style and vitality that makes him one of Sweden's most popular poets.
2. Theater
The theater did not become an important factor in Swedish cultural life until the 19th century. Drama of this century followed to a large extent the path of historical romance, early introduced in Sweden. No first-rate playwright, however, emerged before August Strindberg (1849-1912), whose many great plays have made his name one of the most important in modern drama. Another successful dramatist is Par Lagerkuist.
Close cooperation between motion pictures and the legitimate stage exists in Sweden probably to a greater degree than in most other countries. This close relationship gives to Swedish films an artistic flair and to many stage plays a modern, dynamic rhythm. Among the great Swedish performers of the stage and screen are Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman, Viveen Lindfors, Ingrid Thulin, Signe Hasso, Max von Sydow, and Bibi Anderson, all of whom graduated from Stockholm's Royal Dramatic Theater. Ingmar Bergman, the internationally famous film producer and successful dramatist as well, as director of this theater from 1963 to 1965. As a filmwriter and director, he follows in the footsteps of Victor Sjostrom and Mauritz Stiller, the great pioneers of Swedish motion picture art. Bergman is in many respects a disciple of Sjostrom. Both preferred a realistic style of acting and insisted on authentic settings in which the landscape and moods of nature are roles almost as essential as those of the actors. Sweden's learning producer of documentary films, Arne Sucksdorff (1917- ), is best known for his films dealing with the world of animals and civilized man's existence. A new generation of Swedish film producers has already begun to make its mark, perhaps most effectively represented by Lars-Magnus Linelgren. He is best known for comedy rather than the heavier fare represented by Bergman.
The leading theater is the Royal Dramatic Theater, which was founded in 1788 by King Gustavus III. Of historical interest is the 18th century Court Theater at Draffningholm Castle, which uses the stage properties and machinery of that age with the original scenery.
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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200090021-3
