Mörkläggningar

Mörkläggningar, a Swedish term, translates to "blackouts" or "darkening" and primarily refers to the practice of obscuring all external light sources from view. Historically, this was a crucial civil defense measure implemented during wartime, particularly to prevent enemy aircraft from using artificial lights as targets or navigational aids. During such periods, buildings and homes would be required to cover windows and any other openings that could emit light. This involved using blackout curtains, shutters, or other opaque materials. The goal was to render the area invisible from the air at night, thereby reducing vulnerability to aerial bombardment.

The concept of mörkläggningar is not unique to Sweden, with similar practices observed in many countries during World War I and World War II. The effectiveness of these measures depended on strict enforcement and public cooperation. Beyond military applications, the term can also be used more generally to describe any situation where light is deliberately excluded, such as for astronomical observation or certain scientific experiments. In contemporary Sweden, the term is less commonly associated with active civil defense protocols but remains part of the historical lexicon of wartime preparedness.