The modern museum lacks a clear policy regarding bribery and corruption, says Magasin K. The background is that museum director Gitte Ørskou took a trip to Qatar, a country without democracy, in October 2025, among other things, to take part in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the country’s national museum. The sister of the country’s supreme leader, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, was responsible for the invitation, which was first reported by Dagens ETC. The invitation included, among other things, first-class airline tickets and accommodation in a five-star hotel.
In Dagens ETC, Gitte Ørskou defended the invitation by citing the Modern Museum’s guidelines.
“Our policy is that we accept trips where the operator offers to cover the costs,” she said at the time.
The follow-up in Magasin K shows, however, that the Modern Museum does not pursue such a policy. Gitte Ørskou believes the trip was justified:
“The modern museum regularly receives invitations to international contexts, where the organizer offers to cover the costs of travel and accommodation. This is an integral part of international cultural cooperation at the country level,” she wrote in an email to Magasin K earlier this week.
Magasin K’s review also shows that the Modern Museum lacks clear policies regarding bribery and corruption, unlike the country’s other museum authorities. The government of Qatar is known for using culture and sport as a means to improve the country’s international reputation.
“Issues about bribery and corruption are regulated in Swedish law and of course also apply to the Modern Museum,” writes Gitte Ørskou in a comment to DN. “As a result, we are now reviewing our procedures for externally funded travel and other situations that could compromise independence and integrity.”
Gitte Ørskou remains convinced that the evaluation of the trip was based on current guidelines and benefits for museum operations. At the same time, she takes the criticism to heart.
“Looking back, we can say that it would have been more effective if the museum had borne the costs itself,” writes Gitte Ørskou to DN.
