Stockholms UFO-Nytt - 1999 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: Stockholms UFO-nytt
Issue: 1/1999
Publisher: Stockholms UFO-förening
Date: 1999

This issue of Stockholms UFO-nytt serves as an informational bulletin for the members of the Stockholms UFO-förening. It announces upcoming events, details organizational matters, and recaps past activities.

Welcome to 1999 with Stockholms UFO-förening!

The editorial welcomes members to 1999, highlighting the upcoming national meeting (Riksstämma) in early May as a major event. The editor expresses gratitude for the financial support received for this event, which is scheduled to take place at Långholmens Folkhögskola on May 8-9. The article details the various volunteer opportunities available for the event, ranging from assisting in the cafeteria and with sales to guiding visitors and managing tickets. It also mentions that the event will feature discussions on UFOs from the Stockholm region, the nature of IFOs (Identified Flying Objects), and common misinterpretations.

The editorial also reflects on the recent annual meeting, noting changes in the board. Conny Ljung and Jenny have stepped down, and their contributions are acknowledged with thanks. The full board is presented within the magazine. A recurring article series, sourced from the internet, concludes in this issue. This series explores how interpretations are made and the influence of modern culture on the human mind and imagination. The editor encourages readers to continue observing the skies, suggesting that answers to the question 'What is a UFO?' may still be found.

Table of Contents

The table of contents lists the following articles and sections:

• Presentation of the 1999 Board (Page 4)
• Minutes of the Annual Meeting (Page 5)
• Activity Report for 1998 (Page 6)
• Statutes of Stockholms UFO-förening (Page 7)
• Science Fiction and UFO - A Connection? (Page 11)
• The Soviet UFO Files (Page 12)
• Stockholm Reports November-December 1998 (Page 14)
• Press Clippings (Page 15)

Presentation of Stockholms UFO-förening's Board 1999

The annual meeting held on February 9, 1999, elected the following board members:

• Chairman: Lars Amnestål (Former high school teacher, now taxi driver trainer, previously chairman of a UFO association as a student).
• Treasurer: Bernd Bartosch (Works as a property caretaker).
• Board Members: Gunilla Andersson (New to the board, former lab assistant, now a disability pensioner), Andreas Ohlsson (Vice Chairman of UFO-Sverige, responsible for UFO-Sverige's research council), Mikael Sjöberg (Chairman of Uppsala UFO-förening, responsible for UFO-Sverige's website).
• Deputies (Suppleanter): Bernt Berglund (Former chairman of UFO-Sverige), Stefan Roslund (Freelance subtitler/translator, also works on UFO-Aktuellt).

The section also mentions that the minutes of the annual meeting will be published on subsequent pages.

Stockholms UFO-förening's Annual Meeting

The ordinary annual meeting of Stockholms UFO-förening took place on February 9, 1999. The minutes record the following proceedings:

1. Opening of the meeting.
2. The meeting was duly announced via mail on January 22, 1999.
3. The agenda was approved.
4. Lars Amnestål was elected chairman and C Göran Norlén was elected secretary for the meeting.
5. Andreas Ohlsson and Stefan Roslund were elected to review the minutes.
6. The board's activity report and financial report for the past year were presented. The financial report showed a surplus of 294.61 SEK for 1998.
7. The auditors' report was read, and the board was proposed to be granted discharge for the past year.
8. The board was granted discharge.
9. Lars Amnestål was elected chairman for 1999.
10. Bernd Bartosh was elected treasurer for 1999.
11. Andreas Ohlsson, Mikael Sjöberg, and Gunilla Andersson were elected as board members for 1999.
12. Stefan Roslund and Bernt Berglund were elected as deputy board members for 1999.
13. C Göran Norlén was elected auditor, with no deputy elected due to lack of candidates.
14. C Göran Norlén was elected to the nomination committee for 2000, with Kersti Andersson as deputy.
15. Stefan Roslund was elected as the representative for the UFO-Sverige national meeting in 1999, with Lars Amnestål as his deputy.
16. No written motions or proposals were submitted.
17. No statute changes were proposed.
18. The membership fee for 2000 was set at the same level as 1999: 130 SEK for full members and 90 SEK for pensioners and students.

Activity Report for 1998

Stockholms UFO-förening organized eleven events and meetings in 1998:

• February 10: Annual meeting in Solna (low attendance).
• February 21 - March 12: UFO exhibition at the library in Salem, organized in collaboration with UFO-Sverige and Salems Kulturråd. Approximately 100 people visited, and the library began subscribing to UFO-Aktuellt.
• March 3: First member meeting of the year, featuring a video screening and discussion on UFOs.
• May 14: Lecture by Per Ahlin from Stockholms Folkobservatorium on planetary appearances and the Milky Way.
• June 3: Term end gathering in Solna, with some preparation for the Vasasta'n festival.
• June 6-7: Vasasta'n festival, with moderate interest from members and the public. The organization had a book and magazine stand.
• September 21: Member meeting focusing on Swedish UFO cases.
• October 14: Lecture by Clas Svahn, chairman of UFO-Sverige, on his book 'UFO-Mysteriet'. Five new members attended.
• November 19: Visit to Cosmonova (low attendance).
• December 10: Year-end celebration in Solna, including a presentation on the UFO-Sverige national meeting and discussions on future activities. Several members offered support for organizing the meeting.

The report concludes with a thank you for 1998 and a welcome to the activities of the new year.

Statutes of Stockholms UFO-förening

The statutes outline the organization's purpose, structure, and membership:

• § 1. Objective: The association is non-political and aims to increase interest and information about UFOs. It is affiliated with UFO-Sverige and is responsible for investigating and documenting UFO incidents in the Stockholm region.
• § 2. Organization: The association is led by a board of an odd number of members, elected at the annual meeting. The board consists of a chairman, vice chairman, secretary, treasurer, and an odd number of board members. Board meetings should occur at least quarterly.
• § 3. Membership: Membership is obtained by paying the annual fee. Students, conscripts, and pensioners pay a reduced fee. The board may grant fee reductions under special circumstances. The age limit for membership is 14 years, with exceptions possible.
• § 4. Fiscal Year: The fiscal year is the calendar year. The board is responsible for the activity report and financial statements at the end of the fiscal year.
• § 5. Treasurer's Activities: The treasurer is responsible for bookkeeping and managing the association's accounts, including the postgiro account.
• § 6. Accounts: The association's accounts are audited by two auditors elected at the annual meeting.
• § 7. Statute Amendments: Statute amendments require approval from a board meeting and then from a subsequent annual meeting.
• § 8. Annual Meeting: The annual meeting is the highest authority and must be held before the end of February. Members must be notified at least 8 days prior.
• § 9. Dissolution of the Association: Dissolution requires a 2/3 majority vote at two consecutive meetings, with at least two months between them, one of which must be the annual meeting. Remaining assets will be used to further the association's objectives.

UFO-Expo '99

This section details the 'UFO-Expo '99' event, organized by Stockholms UFO-förening, held at Långholmens Folkhögskola on Sunday, May 9, 1999. The event ran from 10:00 to 18:30 and featured:

• UFO-Expo (10:00-18:30): The largest UFO exhibition in the Nordic region, with 20 screens covering the history of the UFO phenomenon. It includes an interactive database of 12,000 cases, multimedia presentations, and eyewitness accounts. Observers will be present, and guides will be available.
• **Lectures (Föredrag):
• 13:00-13:15:** Andreas Ohlsson (Stockholms UFO-förening) welcomes attendees and presents UFO-Sverige's research council.
• 13:15-14:15:** Clas Svahn (Chairman of UFO-Sverige) discusses "100 Years of UFO Phenomenon," summarizing the most remarkable UFO cases of the 20th century.
• 14:15-15:00:** PAUSE. Coffee and sandwiches available.
• 15:00-16:00:** Richard Svensson discusses "UFO in Film and TV," exploring UFOs in popular culture with examples from science fiction films and TV series.
• 16:00-16:45:** PAUSE.
• 16:45-17:30:** Ulf Sjödin (Professor of Religious History) presents findings from his research on "What do Swedes Believe About UFOs and the Supernatural?"
• 17:40-18:30:** Open Q&A session with the speakers.

Directions: The nearest subway station is Hornstull. Bus numbers 4, 40, and 66 also stop nearby. Detailed walking directions from the subway and bus stops to Långholmens Folkhögskola are provided.

Accommodation: Overnight stays are available at Zinkensdamms vandrarhem for 190 SEK per night, including breakfast. Registration for accommodation should be made with Lars Amnestål.

Sales: Magazines and books will be sold throughout the day.

Admission: Full day: 120 SEK (60 SEK for under 16s). Exhibition only: 60 SEK (30 SEK for under 16s). Single lecture: 50 SEK (25 SEK for under 16s).

Getting to Långholmen

Detailed instructions are provided for reaching Långholmen via:

• Subway: Take the subway south from T-centralen to Hornstull station. Follow Långholmsgatan towards Västerbron, then turn left onto Högalidsgatan and right at Långholmsbron.
• Bus: Bus 4 stops at various subway stations between Radiohuset and Hornstull. Bus 4 and 66 can be taken from Hornstull station.
• Commuter Train: All commuter trains stop at Södra station. From there, take bus 4 or 66.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the organization's activities, particularly the upcoming national meeting and the annual general meeting. There is a strong emphasis on membership engagement, volunteerism, and the dissemination of information about UFO phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and encouragement for continued investigation into the UFO subject, as evidenced by the concluding remark to "keep looking up."

Title: Stockholms UFO-nytt
Issue: 1/1999
Date: January 1999
Content Focus: UFO phenomena, science fiction, space exploration, and UFO reports from Sweden.

Science Fiction and UFOs: Is There a Connection?

The lead article by Mark Pilkington explores the intricate relationship between science fiction films and UFO mythology. Pilkington's extensive research, published online, suggests that many UFO narratives are influenced by science fiction themes and visuals. He argues against dismissing UFO discussions as mere fantasies generated by the human psyche, instead highlighting the complexity of the UFO phenomenon. Pilkington notes that modern technology and media trends, such as 'flying saucers' and 'grays,' are often reflected in UFO reports. He points out that the classic abduction scenario, initially an attempt to explain reports, has become media-friendly and standardized. While US and British reports often feature 'grays,' reports from other regions show a wider variety of beings influenced by local culture. Pilkington believes that individuals experiencing these events are genuinely encountering something unusual, and that their categorizations are human attempts to process the unknown, heavily influenced by popular literature.

He discusses how people seek explanations from 'experts' and often find themselves in support groups where their experiences are reinforced and reshaped, turning myth into reality. The article touches upon the 'Majestic 12' conspiracy, suggesting that documents related to it were fabricated to spread disinformation and distract from real secrets. This mistrust in authority has fueled conspiracy theories, with some militant groups incorporating UFO conspiracies into their anti-government platforms. The article mentions Timothy McVeigh, who blamed his actions on an alleged UFO abduction experience.

The success of the TV series 'Arkiv X' (The X-Files) is presented as evidence of public interest in uncovering the truth, with its mottos reflecting hope, trust, and paranoia driving the UFO industry. The article concludes that as more planets are discovered and the possibility of extraterrestrial life becomes more plausible, aliens are unlikely to disappear from public imagination.

The article also notes the coincidence of 1996 marking 100 years for both cinema and UFO reports, as both touch upon the boundaries of fantasy and reality and engage the human mind. A quote from a 'wise man' defines a UFO expert as someone who knows everything about UFOs except what they are, who is inside them, or where they come from, suggesting that solving this mystery requires exploring both the human mind and the unknown cosmos.

The Soviet UFO Files

This section reviews Paul Stonehill's book, "The Soviet UFO Files." Stonehill, a ufologist who moved from the Soviet Union to the USA, focuses on UFO phenomena in his former homeland. The book is described as ambitious, featuring historical observations from the 10th century to 'secret' KGB documents. While it provides a good overview of Soviet and Russian ufology, the reviewer notes a lack of in-depth analysis of well-known cases. The book is praised for its presentation but criticized for its content not always matching the quality of the cover. A translated chapter details an incident from August 16, 1991, where a cadet pilot, Maxim Tjurbakov, experienced engine failure twice after encountering an orange sphere. The incident led to Tjurbakov being suspected of sabotage, but an investigation by the Russian UFO Center, supported by regression hypnosis, concluded his account was truthful. The explanation offered was ionized plasma causing electrical issues.

Another incident from October 1981 involving a fighter pilot named Korotkov and a glowing sphere is also mentioned, which caused similar engine problems and damage. The official explanation for that event was glowing plasma.

UFO Reports from Stockholm (November-December 1998)

This section compiles several UFO sightings reported in the Stockholm area during November and December 1998:

• November 3: A large ball, likely a bolide, was seen in central Stockholm.
• November 8: A blinking star, possibly Jupiter, was observed moving slowly.
• November 16: A silent fireball, identified as a meteor, was seen in Fisksätra.
• November 21: Strange light phenomena, possibly searchlights, were observed in Tyresö.
• November 22: A round object flying low and fast was sighted in central Stockholm, and pictures were taken.
• December 6: A strange sound and a circular light were reported near Kaggeholm.
• December 29: Two reports from Danderyd described a bright light that moved slowly and later appeared as a dark, hovering object.

Other News and Features

• NASA to Search for Life in Space: NASA has announced a new era in space exploration, with the primary goal being the search for life, including traces of extinct life, on planets like Mars and Jupiter's moon Europa. The new scientific field of astrobiology is highlighted.
• Mars Orbiter Maps Mars: The Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft began detailed mapping of Mars in March, having sent back numerous images since September 1997.
• Moon Fragment Found in Space: Astronomers in the USA have discovered a fragment of the moon floating in space.
• Millennium Space Fireworks: Russian scientists propose a spectacular fireworks display in space to celebrate the millennium, using a Kosmos rocket.
• NASA Plans Mars Flight: NASA aims to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first flight in 2003 with a flying probe on Mars.
• Giant Mirror on Mir Space Station: The Russian space station Mir attempted to use a large mirror to reflect sunlight towards Earth, creating the illusion of an extra moon.
• Failed Mirror Experiment: An attempt to deploy a large mirror on the Mir space station failed when it got stuck in an antenna.
• Big Bang Theory Re-evaluated: Astronomers are increasingly questioning the Big Bang as the sole origin of the universe, suggesting that the universe may be self-reproducing.

Book Review: "Möten med Rymdfolket"

This section briefly mentions a 79-page booklet titled "Möten med Rymdfolket" (Encounters with the Space People), described as a well-written religious historical study of alleged human encounters with extraterrestrial beings. It is available for 80 SEK.

Stockholm UFO Society Program 1999

The Stockholm UFO Society announced its program for 1999, including:

• February 9: Annual meeting.
• March 24: Member meeting with discussion of new UFO cases.
• April 22: Presentation by chairman Lasse Amnestål on recent Stockholm cases.
• May 8-9: Hosting the UFO-Sweden national meeting.
• June 3: End-of-term meeting to review the national meeting and the society's performance.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena with popular culture, particularly science fiction and conspiracy theories. There's an emphasis on presenting UFO reports and investigations, while also acknowledging the psychological and cultural influences that shape these narratives. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, seeking to understand the phenomenon rather than outright dismissing it, while also critically examining claims and potential disinformation. The inclusion of news from NASA and space exploration suggests an interest in the broader context of humanity's search for understanding its place in the universe.