UFO Lokal Information - 1988 2

Magazine Overview

This issue, Nr. 2 of "LOKAL INFORMATION" from 1988, is published by Enköpings UFO-för. and is written in Swedish. The cover features a stylized map of Sweden and a starburst symbol, with the main headline announcing a report from Enköpings UFO-förening about a UFO sighting near Barkan.

Editorial Content

From Enköpings UFO-förening

The editorial section begins with a message from Arnold Idebring, the editor, who encourages readers to submit their thoughts and news. He notes the approaching summer and the need for more contributions from local UFO groups. The issue covers the recent national UFO meeting (Riksstämma), which had a lower-than-expected turnout, suggesting a decline in public interest. The article also mentions a board course held in Björsjö, organized by Västerbergslagens UFO, and thanks Bernt Berglund for his efforts as a course leader, lamenting the low attendance. The social aspect of these meetings, particularly the "Lersäter spirit," is highlighted. A planned informational video film is mentioned, with Terra Vision Göteborg tasked with its production. The editor wishes readers a pleasant summer and announces the next issue is expected in September.

UFO - GÄVLEBORG

This section provides insights from the Gävleborg UFO-förening following a board course. They emphasize the importance of knowledge in meeting techniques, planning, and budgeting for effective organization management. They believe that a well-run organization retains members and may even increase its membership. The group advocates for more similar courses to be organized, quoting "Knowledge is not heavy to carry." They also express positive experiences from the course in Björsjö and wish readers a good summer.

Mellersta UFO Distriktet & Västerbergslagens UFO-förening

This section contains an invitation to a board course (Styrelsekurs 2) to be held on November 19-20, 1988, at Räfsnäs Fritidsgård, Ludvika. The course program includes a review of basic meeting techniques, bookkeeping, and organizing planning conferences and information meetings. The application deadline is October 15, 1988. Contact information for Västerbergslagens UFO-förening in Ludvika is provided.

Board Meeting Minutes (UFO-Sverige)

This section presents the minutes from a board meeting of the national organization UFO-Sverige held in Enköping on April 17, 1988. Key attendees are listed, including Christer Nordin (Chairman), Roland Östlund (Vice Chairman), Roger Ersson (Secretary), and Mats Nilsson (Vice Secretary). Nadia Roguljic from Gothenburg expressed interest in producing a UFO video film. The agenda included discussions on the "videofilm" project, previous meeting minutes, and the national meeting's minutes (which were postponed). The board discussed contact persons for various groups, with Jörgen Granlie appointed as the main contact for local groups and Håkan Ekstrand as PR manager. Nadia Roguljic offered to assist with the organization's activities. The minutes also detail decisions regarding the location of the next planning conference (Sundsvall in 1989), the importance of adhering to UFO-Sverige's official policy in media appearances, and the role of the rapportcentral. Financial matters were discussed, including a decrease in subscriptions, the need to purchase a computer, and the allocation of funds for a UFO video film. The issue of a Rikslotteri (national lottery) was also raised. The board decided to pay 500 SEK to Enköpings UFO-förening to cover costs from the national meeting. They also discussed printing costs for the magazine and the possibility of sending out a questionnaire to subscribers, which was ultimately deemed unlikely to yield significant results. A proposal to form an interest group and join the national organization was received and supported. UFO-Sverige was invited to participate in a fair in Tierp free of charge. Dates for future board meetings were set.

Internal Communication

This section includes a letter from CG Norlén, Chairman of STOCKHOLMS UFO-FÖRENING, regarding a proposal for the planning conference to be held in Nyhammar. He expresses disappointment with the rejection of the proposal, attributing it to egoism and narrow-mindedness within the Swedish UFO community, and reiterates the call for a discussion day.

UFO Sighting Report: Barkan

This article details a UFO sighting that occurred on Friday, May 13, 1988, near Barkan. Ten people in a car observed a disk-like object that hovered, then jumped over a ditch and a pole before disappearing. Subsequent investigation by Enköpings UFO-förening on Sunday revealed that the object was approximately 45-50 centimeters in size and remained visible for about three minutes. Tire tracks and dust were found at the landing site. The article also mentions that the object made a smaller jump before its final disappearance. The weather conditions were noted as windy with 22 degrees Celsius.

Enköpings UFO-förening Vårfest

Enköpings UFO-förening held its annual spring festival on May 14, concluding their study season. The event included entertainment by troubadour and singer Stefan Demert, followed by a potluck dinner, auction, music, and dancing. The article notes that while organized activities cease for the summer, Wednesday evenings will remain meeting times for tasks like weeding and lawn mowing. They anticipate an autumn kickoff party in late August.

Ufologi - den missförstådda vetenskapen

This article explores ufology as a misunderstood science. It features interviews with ufologists Owe Lewitzki and Mats Carlsson. Lewitzki states he has never seen a UFO and doesn't believe in extraterrestrial craft without proof. Carlsson, however, believes it's highly probable that extraterrestrials have visited Earth, citing numerous consistent UFO reports from around the world. The article includes a photograph of a UFO taken at Picado Peak, New Mexico, in 1967. It also briefly mentions the mysterious phenomena in Hessdalen, Norway, where ufologists and researchers have conducted studies using advanced equipment to measure seismic changes and analyze magnetic fields.

Radio Astronomy and UFOs

This section features Jan Ahl, who believes a radio astronomer will be the first to find evidence of extraterrestrial life. Ahl, who conducts radio astronomy from his home in Karlskoga, explains how radio waves from celestial bodies can be analyzed to understand stars and chemical compositions. He discusses the detection of supernovae and the vastness of galaxies. The article touches upon the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe due to the uniform chemical composition of matter. It mentions the Pioneer spacecraft's signals and the long communication delays with potential extraterrestrial civilizations (30 years for a signal, 60 years for a round trip). The article also speculates about the Soviet Union's silence on their space research after receiving advanced equipment from the USA, suggesting they might have detected intelligent signals. It emphasizes the need to understand natural phenomena to distinguish them from unusual events, citing examples like bolides and ball lightning. The article concludes by mentioning the research in Hessdalen, Norway, involving seismic and magnetic field measurements.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include UFO sightings, the scientific approach to ufology, the organizational activities of Swedish UFO groups, and the potential for radio astronomy to detect extraterrestrial intelligence. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging scientific inquiry, promoting collaboration among UFO organizations, and advocating for a more evidence-based approach to the study of UFO phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on the need for more contributions from local groups and a desire to professionalize the field of ufology.

This issue of Länstidningen, dated Wednesday, April 13, 1988, features a prominent cover story titled "Vad var det Birgitta såg lysa över Gällö?" (What was it Birgitta saw shining over Gällö?). The magazine also includes a report on the annual meeting of UFO Sverige and discussions surrounding ufology.

Article: Birgitta's UFO Sighting Over Gällö

The main article details an encounter by Birgitta Olofsson and her husband in Gällö. On the night of Friday, April 8, 1988, they observed a strange light phenomenon in the sky for approximately 20 minutes. Birgitta managed to photograph the event. She describes seeing a strong light in the sky, with a weaker shadow underneath. The phenomenon appeared ten minutes after midnight and disappeared around 00:30. Birgitta's photographs indicate that the object moved in a northwesterly direction over the mountain. The couple is left wondering about the nature of what they witnessed.

Article: Ufologists' Perspectives and Challenges

Another section discusses the work and challenges faced by ufologists. Jan and Owe, identified as ufologists, express their disappointment with how UFO phenomena are often ridiculed in the media, particularly on television. They feel that instead of consulting experts, the media often interviews eccentric individuals, portraying ufologists as gullible.

Despite these challenges, there is a perceived slow shift towards a more serious view of UFO research globally. The article posits that if humans can travel in space, other civilizations might have done so for a long time, potentially visiting Earth and leaving behind eyewitness accounts.

Owe Lewitzki is quoted as saying that much in ancient texts suggests contact with technologically advanced civilizations. He wonders if ancient peoples knew about other civilizations in the universe or if UFOs are extraterrestrial craft that have always visited Earth. Alternatively, these advanced civilizations mentioned in ancient texts might have existed on Earth long before recorded history.

The article also touches upon the anonymity sought by some scientists who assist ufologists, fearing reputational damage.

UFO-Center Karlskoga and Recommended Reading

The issue provides contact information for UFO-Center Karlskoga for those seeking more information. It also lists several recommended books on the topic of UFOs, including works by Boris Jungkvist, Jean-Claude Bourret, Juri Lina, J F Blumrich, and Sven Magnusson.

Photograph of Comet 'West'

A photograph is included, identified as the comet "West" taken outside Karlskoga on March 6, 1976, at 4:30 AM with a two-minute exposure. The caption notes that many strange phenomena in the sky have natural explanations.

Protocol of UFO Sverige's Annual Meeting

The majority of the magazine consists of the minutes from the annual meeting of UFO Sverige, held in Enköping on March 26, 1988. Key points from the protocol include:

• Opening: Arnold Idebring, chairman of Enköping UFO-förening, welcomed attendees.
• Representation: Fourteen local associations were represented.
• Leadership Elections: Ulla Hellgren was elected chairman, and Gunnar Thorén was elected secretary. Ing-Marie Strömberg and Bernt Berglund were chosen as auditors.
• Activity Report: The activity report was approved with some criticism regarding the print quality and a call for better planning and cooperation within the board.
• Financials: The organization's financial statements and budget for 1988 were approved. Discussions included telephone costs, investigation costs, and press support.
• Membership: A motion regarding member recruitment from Gävleborgs UFO-förening was approved.
• Criticism: A letter from Gudrun Andersson of Västerbergslagens UFO-förening expressed criticism of the board's work. Gudrun Andersson resigned her position on the board.
• Statute Changes: Proposals for changes to the statutes were approved, including requirements for board meetings, notice periods for the annual meeting, and the timing of the meeting.
• Membership Fees: Local groups' membership fees for 1989 were set at 160 SEK plus 1 SEK per member.
• Future Meetings: The 1989 annual meeting will be held in Stockholm. Planning conferences for autumn 1988 are scheduled for Östersund and Sala.
• Contact Person: Bertil Kuhleman AFU resigned as contact person between UFO Sverige and ICUR, and the board was tasked with appointing a successor.
• Closing: Arnold Idebring was presented with a UFO statuette as thanks for organizing the meeting.

L-information Nr. 2 and Summer Wishes

A section titled "L-information Nr. 2" invites readers to submit suggestions or contributions for the next issue, with a deadline of September 9. It also mentions that additional copies can be purchased for ten kronor each.

The magazine concludes with a wish for a "pleasant SUMMER" to all UFO friends.

Exhibition Information

An advertisement for UFO Sverige's exhibition services is included. The exhibition can be rented for 100 SEK per week or 15 SEK per day, plus shipping costs. Payment is made to Enköpings UFO-förening. The organization also offers three models of known UFO cases for discussion. The exhibition is currently available in Enköping.

Additionally, there are advertisements for lamps and custom-made emblems, with a portion of the proceeds going to the UFO support fund.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine reflects a strong interest in UFO phenomena, presenting both eyewitness accounts and the organizational activities of UFO Sverige. There's an underlying theme of the challenges ufologists face in gaining public and scientific acceptance, contrasted with a growing global interest in the subject. The editorial stance appears to be supportive of UFO research, providing a platform for discussion, reporting on organizational matters, and offering resources for further inquiry. The inclusion of the comet 'West' photograph serves as a reminder that not all aerial phenomena are unexplained.