A Roller Coaster to the Past : the use of history for an experience in contemporary life

This essay discusses the use of history, and primarily how the current Swedish society perceives and uses the Viking age. The analysis is based on a literature study as well as a case study of the planned theme park in Fullerö north of Uppsala, Sweden. The aim of the essay is to understand the regional debate which arose in media regarding the planning of Fullerö Park and how it reflects the contemporary use of history. Research about the use of history has become increasingly common in recent years and deals with how history is actively being used in society in order to meet its existing needs. These needs varies among different groups and individuals and results in a multitude of usages, where the interests of the different actors may be contradictory. This essay highlights such a conflict of interest in the case of Fullerö; namely between the official heritage management and the commercial use of history. In the latter it is often the stereotypical images of history that are being used, since it fits well into the contemporary society’s quest for experience. Although these images are often romanticized and scientifically incorrect, this usage still has a purpose. The receivers and visitors do not necessarily perceive this as the true history, they appreciate it for other reasons, and it can function as a means of generating further interest