Promoting Norden and Nordic Cooperation in the 1930’s: Social Democratic Visions and Transmedial Manifestations

The 1930s represent a pivotal period for reinventing and consolidating Norden as a distinct region, characterized by increasing inter-Nordic cooperation. This chapter examines how modern mass media, in particular radio, was combined with older communication channels, from public mass meetings to newspapers, posters and pamphlets, in successfully promoting and propagating Nordic ideas to broader segments of the population. Two interrelated transnational and transmedial events are of particular interest: The public meeting of the Scandinavian social democratic leaders in Copenhagen in 1934 and the massive and spectacular celebration of Nordic Day 27 October 1936. This manifestation of Nordic cooperation was a joint effort by the Social Democratic parties, building on a longer tradition of what was termed labour Scandinavianism and the transnational network of the Norden Associations.