UFO Mail - No 260 - 2018

Magazine Overview

This issue of UFO-Mail, number 260, published on April 17, 2018, by Skandinavisk UFO Information (Danmarks UFO Forening), focuses on two main topics: the extensive archives of 'Archives for the Unexplained' (AFU) and a retrospective on the Apollo moon missions.

AFU - Archives for the Unexplained

The lead article introduces AFU, described as the world's largest collection of UFO literature and other relevant historical effects, located in Norrköping, Sweden. Clas Svahn, former leader of UFO-Sverige, serves as its chairman. AFU boasts 2,200 shelf meters filled with books, magazines, images, videos, tape recordings, newspaper articles, and correspondence related to the unexplained.

AFU was founded in Södertälje in 1973 by Håkan Blomqvist, Kjell Jonsson, and Anders Liljegren with the goal of preserving UFO research information and building a specialized library. In 1980, it moved to its current location in Norrköping and is affiliated with the national organization UFO-Sverige, housing its archives and libraries. The daily operations are managed by permanent staff and rely entirely on volunteer work and financial contributions from private sponsors worldwide.

The article emphasizes the voluntary nature of AFU's work, with numerous volunteers scanning, sorting, and maintaining the archive. Approximately 30 individuals contribute financially each month to cover the costs of 12 rented rooms totaling 500 square meters, as well as electricity and other necessities.

Clas Svahn recounts his personal involvement since the early 1980s, donating 15 kronor for book purchases in 1981. He highlights the growing recognition of the value of a comprehensive archive for UFOs, the paranormal, and Forteana.

Danish Archives at AFU

AFU actively works to rescue UFO archives from various countries, including Denmark. Svahn mentions collecting archives from Willy Wegner, Per Andersen, and SUFOI founder H. C. Petersen. Most of SUFOI's extensive report archive has also been deposited with AFU. The issue features a photograph of SUFOI's report archive, containing approximately 12,000 Danish UFO reports organized chronologically in 120 binders.

Recently, UFO-Norway's significant report archive was transferred to AFU, and most major Swedish UFO groups have deposited their documents there. Material from the late Knut Aasheim of Norway has also been acquired.

The scale of material collection is illustrated by a photo of 313 moving boxes packed with UFO archive material in London in May 2012, involving individuals like Håkan Ekstrand, Bob Rickard, Carl-Anton Mattsson, Anders Persson, and Clas Svahn.

Since 2000, Svahn has made 16 trips to the UK, resulting in the donation of 100 to 350 boxes of material from organizations like BUFORA, Contact Internationals, and Flying Saucer Reviews. A trip to California also led to the rescue of materials from the Borderland Sciences Research Association. A recent 9-day trip in March 2018 covered 5,200 kilometers in England to collect archives from Eileen Lloyd, Peter Rogerson, John Rimmer, Peter Hough, and Bob Rickard. Additionally, hundreds of kilos of UFO material recently arrived from New Zealand by ship, as shown in a photo of Håkan Blomqvist with boxes.

The Need to Save Material

The article stresses the urgency of rescuing materials, which are often stored in poor conditions like damp basements and garages, risking loss or destruction. A 2008 UFO-Mail article mentioned AFU needing space for 10,000 books; ten years later, the requirement is three times that, with three libraries growing and a dedicated librarian, Ingrid Collberg.

There appears to be no end to the material collection. In May 2017, Clas Svahn and his son Niklas flew to London to transfer 75 boxes of books and magazines, which were then shipped to Sweden via container.

Nigel Watson's archive of 'airship' observations from the UK was donated in September 2016, though the transport was delayed due to a car breakdown. Despite challenges, Svahn notes the great willingness to donate materials when he explains AFU's project.

Larger Premises Needed for Consolidated AFU

AFU faces two major problems: space shortage and the need for consolidation. While they have expanded by renting adjacent rooms in Norrköping, they now need a single location of at least 700 square meters. This requires significant funding, which is currently lacking.

Clas Svahn appeals for support to help AFU become a first-class archive, emphasizing that all activities cost money and welcoming direct contact for donations.

AFU-Shop

AFU sells duplicate books and magazines to raise extra funds. Interested collectors or libraries can visit the AFU-Shop at http://afushop.hemsida24.se/store.

Visit AFU in Norrköping

Visitors are welcome to explore AFU's premises in Norrköping to view a large portion of the archive for curiosity or study. A small selection is also available on their website, www.afu.se. AFU assists researchers worldwide with scanning and copying relevant materials.

Other Links

Links are provided to previous UFO-Mail issues from 2008 and 2012.

Foredrag om rejsen til Månen (Lecture on the Journey to the Moon)

This section announces a free lecture titled "Rejsen til Månen" (The Journey to the Moon) by space experts Helle and Henrik Stub, scheduled for April 25th at the Geological Museum in Copenhagen. The lecture covers the history of manned spaceflight, the Apollo program, and future possibilities for returning to the Moon and establishing a colony.

The lecture's first part details how the space race led to the Moon landings, highlighting Apollo 11's 1969 landing and subsequent missions. It emphasizes that while Apollo was a political program, it also achieved significant scientific goals.

The second part focuses on the political and technical prospects of returning to the Moon by 2030 and the long-term potential for building a lunar colony. Recent discoveries, such as subsurface ice, have renewed interest in lunar exploration.

Helle and Henrik Stub are described as long-time media figures and authors on space travel. A review of their book "Rejsen ud i rummet -de første 50 år" (The Journey into Space - The First 50 Years) is included.

The lecture is organized by the Dansk Selskab for Rumfartsforskning (Danish Society for Space Research), founded in 1949 and an IAF member since 1951. Information about the society and its publications is provided.

Read UFO reports on www.ufo.dk

Readers are directed to www.ufo.dk under 'Observationer' to read recent UFO reports submitted to SUFOI.

Become a Member of SUFOI's Support Circle in 2019

This section encourages readers to become members of SUFOI's support circle for 2019 by making a financial contribution. Skandinavisk UFO Information operates on volunteer labor, aiming to provide serious information about the UFO phenomenon through ufo.dk and register observations. Contributions of 250 DKK or more help sustain ufo.dk and UFO investigations. Members can choose one of four free books as a thank you: 'Ildkugler over Danmark' (Fireballs over Denmark), 'UFOer - Myter og viden' (UFOs - Myths and Knowledge), 'Mysteriet om UFO'er' (The Mystery of UFOs), and 'Firestorm'. Payment details are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the preservation and accessibility of UFO-related historical data through archives like AFU, and the historical and future aspects of space exploration, specifically the Moon. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting serious, well-researched information about UFO phenomena and related scientific endeavors, emphasizing the importance of volunteerism and community support for such initiatives. The magazine also actively promotes its own activities and resources, such as its website and membership programs.

Title: UFO-Mail
Issue: 260
Volume/Year: 2018
Publisher: Skandinavisk UFO Information (SUFOI)
Type: Free newsletter
Language: Danish
Country: Denmark

Content and Copyright Information

This issue of UFO-Mail, number 260, from 2018, is published by Skandinavisk UFO Information (SUFOI). The publication clarifies its copyright policy, stating that news media are permitted to quote from signed articles provided they clearly indicate the source. However, the full text of any article may only be reproduced with prior written consent from Skandinavisk UFO Information - SUFOI. Furthermore, the newsletter notes that printing and photocopying of its content are subject to fees collected by Copydan.

Contact Information

The newsletter provides contact details for Skandinavisk UFO Information - SUFOI, including their website and a physical address: Eilekiersvej 14, 4100 Ringsted, Denmark.

Navigation and Technical Information

Links are provided for the homepage, sending UFO-Mail to a friend, subscribing, and unsubscribing. The page also displays W3C HTML 4.01 validation information. The URL indicates the document is from the SUFOI website and was accessed on April 24, 2019.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary focus of this document is the administrative and legal aspects of publishing the UFO-Mail newsletter. It emphasizes copyright, attribution, and the terms of use for its content. There is no specific UFO sighting or case presented in this particular page, but rather information about the organization and its publication.