krönikor

Krönikor is a genre within Swedish journalism consisting of personal, opinionated essays published in newspapers and magazines. A krönika is typically written by a columnist or journalist and published on a regular basis, such as weekly or monthly. The piece blends reflection, narrative, and commentary, and centers on the writer's perspective rather than a purely reported account.

Content and form: Krönikor commonly address current events, culture, social life, or public debates, often through a personal anecdote or observation that leads to a broader point. They may use storytelling devices, humor, irony, and a distinctive voice. The length tends to be longer than a standard news brief and allows for nuance and argument.

Relation to other genres: A krönika is distinct from reportage, which aims to present facts, and from the editorial, which states the newspaper's official stance. A krönika expresses the author's own view, and may still rely on factual material but interprets it through a personal lens. In practice, many newspapers publish a regular column by a named author who writes krönikor.

Modern context: With the expansion of online media, krönikor are commonly found on newspaper websites, magazines, and blogs, sometimes with reader comments. The form continues to function as a space for individual voice within a broader public discourse, offering social critique, cultural reflection, and commentary on politics and everyday life.