UFO-Malmos nyhetsbrev - 1998 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-Malmös nyhetsbrev
Issue: No. 2
Date: April 1998
Publisher: UFO-Malmö
Language: Swedish

This issue of UFO-Malmö's newsletter provides updates on UFO sightings, investigations, and organizational activities within the Swedish UFO community.

UFO-Händelser (UFO Events)

The newsletter begins by detailing a sighting reported by Anette Ekberg and her sister on January 19, 1998, near Oxie, Sweden. They described an oval, large object that blinked, hovered, and emitted a strong pulsing light before disappearing rapidly upwards like a projectile. Anette Ekberg expressed certainty it was a UFO, recalling a similar experience ten years prior. Solveig Lehorst from Limhamn corroborated seeing a similar strange light near Oxie on the same evening, initially mistaking it for a bright star but realizing its intense brightness. The report notes that SMHI in Malmö had not received any inquiries about unusual lights. Journalist Niklas Holm, who received these reports, was unable to contact the witnesses directly, and Olle Nilsson of UFO-Malmö also had difficulty reaching them. Ronnie Andersson is mentioned as investigating a UFO case and seeking assistance.

Rapportcentralen, UFO-Sverige (Reporting Center, UFO-Sweden)

UFO-Sverige reported receiving 323 reports in 1997, with 262 occurring at night and 61 during the day. A video from Vänersborg, taken on August 23, 1997, shows a passenger plane and two unidentified objects. UFO-Trestad is involved, and the military plans to analyze the film. UFO-Malmö has also received a document from the Reporting Center concerning a potential contact case in Malmö, seeking volunteers to investigate.

Annat nytt från UFO-Sverige (Other News from UFO-Sweden)

UFO-Sverige's annual meeting (Riksstämman) was scheduled for April 25-26 in Björsjö Skogshem, with an external part in Ludvika. UFO-Sverige was invited to the 'Place of Miracles' fair in Malmö on the same dates, declining participation in the fair itself but planning two lectures. Håkan Blomqvist has reportedly shifted from being a UFO believer to a skeptic.

Nytt från UFO-Malmö (News from UFO-Malmö)

The new board for UFO-Malmö was announced: Tora Greve (Chairperson, 1 year), Ingvar Nilsson (Secretary, 2 years), Olle Nilsson (Treasurer, 2 years), Jimmy Wideheim (Board Member, 2 years), and Siamak Molaie (Board Member, 2 years). Linus Lindell is a deputy (1 year), and Karin Tjellquist is an auditor (1 year), with Ulf Engberg as deputy auditor (1 year). Ulf Engberg was also appointed delegate to the annual meeting.

Tora Greve's Presentations and Activities

Tora Greve was invited to speak at an event in Malmö, which turned out to be a play where she participated, blurring the lines between reality and performance for the audience. Lund Student-TV made a reportage about UFO-Malmö at Tora Greve's studio, featuring images from UFO-Sverige. UFO-Malmö contributed images to the Lund Carnival film 'Blinka lilla stjärna,' and Tora Greve was invited to its opening gala. Greve pondered the future direction of UFO-Malmö, asking members if the focus should be on investigating reports or on larger events like inviting speakers from UFO-Sweden and holding public open houses.

Kupp i MIS (Coup in MIS)

Members of UFO-Malmö participated in a 'coup' at the annual meeting of MIS (another UFO organization), where UFO-Malmö's chairperson became a member and was offered a board position, accepting only as a deputy. It seemed many MIS members were tired of 'fluff' in their organization.

Rapport från Sydostträffen den 28/2-1998 (Report from the Southeast Meeting Feb 28, 1998)

Two members from UFO-Malmö, Tora Greve and Siamak Molaie, attended a meeting in Helsingborg, organized by UFO-NVS. The meeting took place in Björkshult, Småland, in snowy conditions. Jennie Svensson opened the meeting. Irre Bredin spoke about the national organization UFO-Sverige. Rickard Svensson presented on similarities between alien abductions and 'bergtagningar' (being taken by trolls/mountain spirits), showing images of spaceships and raised mountains. A mysterious liquid that causes memory loss during abductions was mentioned. The discussion touched upon the 'trollsten' at Trolle Ljungby and the widespread story of a farmhand taking a drinking horn and troll pipe. UFO-ethnology was described as an archetype in the human brain, referencing Jacques Vallée's book 'Passport to Magonia.' Michael G. Petersson lectured on UFO cults and religious psychology, noting the strong New Age influence in the Småland region. The lecture explored parallels between religious experiences and UFO encounters, where the contact person faces a powerful, alien reality causing fear and awe. UFOs are seen as modern angels, and UFO phenomena have become a technologically adapted religion, with Jesus sometimes appearing as an alien savior.

Hessdalen and Marteboljusen

Håkan Ekstrand presented on the Hessdalen phenomena, with Irre Bredin adding information. The first Hessdalen report was from 1811, and the Hessdalen Project was established in 1983. Researchers from UFO-Norway, UFO-Sweden, and universities agreed to avoid the term 'UFO,' calling the events 'phenomena.' An international advisory committee was formed, and instruments were used to study solar magnetic radiation. In January-February 1984, 188 phenomena were recorded, one at 29,829 km/h. One phenomenon extinguished lights as an inland plane passed, and a red orb was observed. Seven phenomena remain unexplained. After 1985, the frequency decreased. Possible explanations included solid objects, cold gas, or plasma. Metallic craft that locals could throw stones at were reported, including a rusty cigar-shaped object. Recent reports mention landings with beings, but these are not yet investigated by UFO-Sweden. Irre registered loud noises in a Hessdalen valley, described as a diesel truck, with vibrations in the ground and panicked lemmings appearing. A dense fog formed and dissipated. Tora Greve and her husband experienced a similar phenomenon in Hessdalen in 1984. The NATO base at Gråkallen has orders to report to the Hessdalen project. A film from Trollhättan, being investigated by military intelligence, was shown. The program concluded with a panel discussion.

Marteboljusen (Martebo Lights)

Ingalill Wallin gave a presentation on Marteboljusen, phenomena observed on Gotland. While 98% could be explained as car lights, a small percentage remained unexplained. Interviews with elderly residents from a time before cars were common revealed numerous ghost stories, possibly based on real events. 'Lykteman' (will-o'-the-wisp) stories were also present. One case involved an exploding ball of light that flew over a car and disappeared. Ingalill has written a book on the subject.

Rapport från SUFOIs årsmöte, föredragsdagen (Report from SUFOI's Annual Meeting, Lecture Day)

Tora Greve traveled to Copenhagen for the SUFOI annual meeting. Ole Henningsen from SUFOI gave a presentation on 'Meteorite Hunting in Greenland,' detailing a meteorite that fell near Nuuk on December 9, 1997. The event was compared to a meteorite in the book 'Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow.' An explosion was heard, and a washing line shook. A surveillance camera captured the event. Holger Pedersen from the Tycho Brahe Planetarium attempted to find the meteorite on a 16-day expedition but was unsuccessful. The meteorite is estimated to be 5-10 meters in diameter.

Following this, Torben Birkeholm from SUFOI presented on a UFO encounter near Gandrup, Denmark, on February 16, 1998. A woman driving home saw a luminous sphere, larger than the full moon, appear, hover, and then explode in a flash of light. She described the object as having a veined pattern. She panicked and drove home, experiencing tremors. She has since been too scared to drive alone to work. The local newspaper received 20 responses, with 17 identifying known celestial objects. Other witnesses reported seeing a rocket-like object or a light illuminating the horizon.

After the presentations, a discussion led to a private tour of Rundetårn. The group, a mix of SUFOI members and locals, engaged in lively conversation. The newsletter concludes with Tora Greve's return journey by bus.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on UFO sightings, investigations, and the broader UFO community in Sweden and Denmark. It highlights the efforts of organizations like UFO-Malmö, UFO-Sverige, and SUFOI in documenting and analyzing these phenomena. A recurring theme is the intersection of UFO experiences with religious and psychological interpretations, suggesting that UFO encounters can be seen as modern spiritual experiences. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging member participation in investigations and discussions, while also acknowledging the challenges of unexplained phenomena and the varying perspectives within the UFO field, from believers to skeptics.