Dikten

Dikten is the Swedish term for a poem, the art form in which language expresses emotion, image, or idea through rhythm, imagery, and sound. A dikt can be brief or expansive, in verse or free form, and may stand alone or belong to a collection or epic.

Forms and techniques: Dikt covers lyric, narrative, and experimental work. Traditional features include imagery, metaphor, alliteration, assonance, and rhyme, with metrical patterns and stanza breaks. While many poems follow rhyme and meter, modern Swedish poetry often uses free verse and fragmented structures. Dikt are published in books, journals, and online, and are read aloud in classrooms, readings, and festivals.

History and notable figures: The Swedish poetic tradition has roots in medieval ballads and folk songs, and expanded through classical and Romantic periods to modernism. Notable poets include Carl Michael Bellman (18th century), August Strindberg, Gunnar Ekelöf, Karin Boye, and Tomas Tranströmer, whose Nobel-winning verse is known for economy and imagery.

Translation and reception: Swedish poems are translated widely, supporting cross-cultural exchange. In the digital era, poets publish online and reach audiences through audio readings and social media.