Representation of Space. Uncovering the Political Dimension of Guided Tours in Stockholm

The aim of this article is to explore the relation between place and its representations through a comparative discourse analysis of two different guided tours of Stockholm. The comparison sheds light on what may otherwise remain blind spots of mainstream guided tours. Applying Lefebvre's notion of representations of space and Bourdieu's ideas on symbolic power the contribution of this article is to show how all guided tours, regardless of their intention, create political, conceived spaces. Hence this article opens up for a debate on a critically aware reading of the verbal (re)presentation of the particular character of sites in and through guided tours.