As it turns out, a geographical Republic of Peace exists in an area of about 15 acres between Norway and Sweden! The real name of the place is Morokulien, which means “fun” in Swedish and Norwegian. Digging deeper, I have to say that I’ve become quite intrigued by this “country” and allow myself to imagine what it could be like if every country created a space for, and symbol of peace with its neighboring countries. Imagine if there were Morokuliens between North and South Korea, between Eritrea and Ethiopia, India and Pakistan, Armenia and Turkey – even if it were a philosophical space – a common ground – where people could leave their staid governments behind and converse directly with each other. Imagine…
In a 2006 preface, Stefan Freinatis, a Morokulien enthusiast, writes about his initial encounter with the area .
In 1984 I visited Morokulien for the first time. Up to now (Sept. 2005) I have been at that place 5 times. Still, the idea of the ‘country’ Morokulien is fascinating and worth to follow. Two countries – initiated by a peace movement more than 100 years ago – are showing their mutual intention of peace by way of a small piece of land right on their border. Moreover, Morokulien shows that it is possible to unite (or adjust) the laws of two countries for managing a shared piece of land. I wish that something similar like Morokulien could be raised for example between Germany and the Netherlands. My home, the county of Bentheim, with its Dutch neighbour provinces Twente and Drenthe would be ideal for such a project.
Stefan claims that there are at least three reasons to find Morokulien interesting – as an exemplary symbol of peace between two neighboring countries, to philatelists/stamp collectors because of the Morokulien postmark, and to radio amateurs because of it’s special call signs “SJ9WL and LG5LG.SJ9WL and LG5LG.” which being clueless about amateur radio, doesn’t mean much to me.
More information from Stefan Freinatis:
“Historic Background”
Since 1380 Norway was ruled by Denmark. The Danish kings used to be also the kings of Norway. During the Napoleonic Wars, Norway was handed over to its neighbour Sweden in 1814. The Norwegian parliament however declared the independence of Norway and worked out a democratic constitution. In a 14-days war Sweden occupied its obstinate neighbour, but soon the Swedish crown prince Carl Johan approved the Norwegian constitution. Since then, 1814, both countries formed a political union. The Norwegian parliament proclaimed Carl Johan as King of Norway. In the period following, there arose however conflicts between the self-confident reform-orientated Norwegian Parliament (Storting) and Sweden.
Detachment of Norway
In 1905, after new conflicts with Sweden, the Norwegian parliament offered the crown to the Danish prince Carl. Beforehand the parliament had dismissed the Swedish king Oscar II from Norway’s crown. After more than 500 years the Norwegians obtained a king of their own again. Prince Carl became Norwegian and changed his name to Håkon VII. The last Norwegian king was Håkon VI Magnusson, who died in 1380. Sweden reacted on this ‘arrogance’ with preparations for a war. The marine moved to the Swedish west coast, and an attack onto Kristiania (1925 renamed to Oslo) was in initialisation. However, times had changed, and not all Swedish supported an attack onto their Norwegian neighbour. The Swedish peace movement was working hard to avoid a military conflict. In the end, the movement succeeded. Demonstrations and public appeals resulted in the Swedish government relenting. Negotiations were begun in Karlstad. On October 26, 1905, the independence of Norway was finally accepted by the Swedish government. A demilitarised zone was created along the the Swedish-Norwegian border. This zone was pacified and no fortifications, military harbours or suppliers were allowed. Morokulien lies in this zone.
The peace monument
Since that year 1905 the Swedish peace movement SPAS (Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society) has held annual peace conferences. In 1911, at the Östersund conference, it was proposed to erect a monument in honour of the long period of peace (since 1814). This monument should – if possible – be ready by the 100th anniversary in 1914. In 1913 a place was found: in-between the demilitarised zone, right on the border between Sweden and Norway. The peace activists in Norway and in Sweden started collecting money for the monument. While the Norwegians were quite generous, the activists encountered some restraints in Sweden. Many Swedish still considered the release of Norway as a humiliation. Nevertheless, literally walking from door to door, the Swedish peace activists managed to collect 17.000 crowns. Also the governments of both countries were asked for a contribution of 2000 crowns. The Norwegian parliament approved the request immediately. The Swedish government was indecisive. Only after the monument was inaugurated the contribution was granted by the parliament with a vote of 194 pro’s against 156 contra’s. The peace between Norway and Sweden used to be not self-evident yet.
The place at which the monument was about to be erected belonged to the peace movements in Norway (the Norwegian Peace League) and Sweden (SPAS). All people involved in the project worked on a voluntary basis or for symbolic payment. The Norwegian state railway transported the granite blocks for free. The Swedish architect Lars Johan Lehming designed the monument without charge. But as ‘thanks’ for his work, he was fired from his job at the defence bureau.
The monument is made of white granite. On top of the pillars – one pillar on Swedish ground, the other one on Norwegian ground – two men are standing on each side of the national border and reaching each other a friendly hand: “Independent but sprung from common ground”. The total costs for the monument summed up to 26.500 Swedish crowns.
Inauguration
On August 16th of the year 1914 – 100 years after the last incident between Sweden and Norway – the monument finally was inaugurated. It was a sunny day with azure sky. White flags fluttered around the proud monument, and along the border line there were Norwegian and Swedish flags to be seen. Trains from both directions pulled by while Norwegian and Swedish bands were playing music. Instead of expected 3.000 people, finally around 12.000 guests showed up. Food and drink soon vanished, and at the end of the day even the wells went dry by the the thirsty visitors. In the crowd could be seen some sixty Norwegian MPs, but only 10 from Sweden. The main Swedish speakers were bishop van Scheele and Carl Sundblad (SPAS). The most prominent Norwegian speaker was the speaker of the house J. Lövland. However, one event drew its dark shadows across the ceremony: While the people here celebrated the peace, the beginnings of the World War I took their course in central Europe.
The Republic of Peace
Ever since the inauguration in 1914, the peace monument has been a gathering place for Scandinavian meetings. During World War II it was the only place where a Swedish-Norwegian couple could get married. Even today Scandinavian marriages take place here. Many well-known speakers and artists have taken part in the numerous meetings held by the monument. As an example, short after the war in 1945, around 13.000 people came to listen to Folke Bernadotte talking about his work with prisoners of war in Germany.
In 1959 Swedish and Norwegian broadcasting corporations borrowed the monument grounds in order to send a series of programs “Beyond all Boundaries”. The year 1959 had been declared the “International Refugee Year” by the United Nations, and the peace monument become internationally well-known. Lennart Hyland, a popular radio and TV personality, coined the name for the area: “Morokulia”, which is a combination of the Norwegian and Swedish words for “fun”. Since then, the 6ha area is known as Morokulien. The SPAS has proclaimed Morokulien a “Republic of Peace”.
Post Office
A post office was opened in the new “republic”. From this small republic letters can be stamped with three postmarks: Norwegian, Swedish and Morokulian postmark. This is the only place where you legally can post letters with stamps from two countries. Even the combination of a Norwegian and Swedish stamp is allowed. The post mark “Morokulien” still sounds mystical to philatelists of the world.
Stefan Freinatis – Morokulein – Republic of Peace
Morokulien Infocenter
Morokulien Infocenter provides Tourist information about Sweden and Norway in the middle of the border and across from the Peace Monument in Morokulien.
Morokulien got its name in the radio program “Across all borders” which was broadcast from here in 1959 led by Lennart Hyland and Randi Kolstad.
Information on a website at Morokulien.de states that Morokulien (Morokulia) – The Scandinavian Republic of Peace “often is called a “country”, which it certainly is because of the geographical demarcation from Norway and Sweden. However, Morokulien is no nation in terms of the international law. Morokulien is about 6 hectares in size. Morokulien is a peace memento to Norwegians and Swedish, but is moreover a peace message to the world.”
http://www.morokulieninfocenter.com/
From Arim, the amateur radio station of Morokulien
“Become a citizen of Morokulien!” merely by purchasing a citizen certificate.
“The foundation in Norway and Sweden sells citizen certificate. The certificate above is the Norwegian, and there is also a Swedish certificate with SJ9WL. The certificates costs NOK/SEK 100,00. The income goes to the foundation that helps handicapped people with their amateur lisence.
Contact person NORWAY: NRRL NORSK RADIO RELÆ LIGA
postadress: NRRL Box 20, Haugenstua, 0915 OSLO
E-mail nrrl@online.no
Sweden provides several levels of the citizen certificate.
Contact person SWEDEN: SSA Foereningen Sveriges Saendaramatoerer
postadress: Box 2021, 12326 Farsta”
http://www.sj9wl-lg5lg.com/text1_2.html
Here’s a Morokulien red cross stamp
Morokulien postcard with cancellations from Norway and Sweden!
Weather in Morokulien
A Video from Morokulien
On his website, Jan Krogh another fan, describes Morokulien as “The “neutral zone” on the map is referring to a demilitarized zone between Norway and Sweden established in 1905. Until 1993 it was in Norway not allowed to carry any weapon closer to the Swedish border than 1000 metres”