Ghosts in Sweden? It sounds strange to place the supernatural in a country of health-conscious, pragmatic engineers. But even though Swedes readily accept modernity, their popular culture hints at something else.

From the outside, Sweden appears to be a secular nation. The country has an exceptionally high number of non-believers, who engage in and identify with cultural rather than spiritual religious expressions. They will happily decorate a Christmas tree and prepare a traditional Christmas Eve dinner, for example, but may stop short of going to a church service.

This is connected to the perception of Sweden (often promoted by Swedes themselves) as modern, advanced, and rational. Yet in reality, various forms of spirituality – including a belief in ghosts – are common. As much as 41% of the population admits to believing in some paranormal activities. Ghost stories intersect with folk beliefs, modernity and mass media in a way that remains visible across Swedish society.

Research suggests that institutionalised religion has mostly been replaced by secularisation in western countries, including Sweden. But at the same time, technological advances seem to........

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