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John Burrows Executive Director Center For World Indigenous Studies ()-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=() ||/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\|| ||=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|| || || || The Fourth World Documentation Project runs entirely on grants || || and private donations. If you find this information service || || useful to you in any way, please consider making a donation to || || help keep it running. CWIS is a non-profit [U.S. 501(c)(3)] || || organization. All donations are completely tax deductible. || || Donations may be made to: || || || || The Center For World Indigenous Studies || || ATTN: FWDP || || P.O. Box 2574 || || Olympia, Washington USA || || 98507-2574 || || Thank You, || || CWIS Staff || || || ||=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-|| ||\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/|| ()=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-() ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :: This file has been created under the loving care of :: :: -= THE FOURTH WORLD DOCUMENTATION PROJECT =- :: :: A service provided by :: :: The Center For World Indigenous Studies :: :: :: :: THE FOURTH WORLD DOCUMENTATION PROJECT ARCHIVES :: :: http://www.halcyon.com/FWDP/fwdp.html :: :: THE CENTER FOR WORLD INDIGENOUS STUDIES :: :: http://www.halcyon.com/FWDP/cwisinfo.html :: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: DOCUMENT: SCANIA.TXT [Ed. Note: There are many accented characters in the original text. Due to the limitations of ASCII, they have been omitted in this version.] S C A N I A -- S K A N E L A N D CULTURE REGION IN SCANDINAVIA AND IN EUROPE Skaneland (Pronounced Scon'-eh-land) Scania, or Skaneland as it is called locally, is approximately 20.000 sq. km in area. It is situated just south of the Smaland plateau and is surrounded by the Baltic sea, the Oresund and Kattegatt. The region consists mainly of open plains in the south with wooded hills along the northern border towards Smaland. About 1.5 million people live in Skaneland. The main regional city is Malmo with a population of 250.000. Other larger cities are Halmstad, Kristianstad, Helsingborg, Karlskrona and the university city of Lund. Skaneland consists of three provinces; Skane, Halland and Blekinge which belong to Sweden and the island of Bornholm which is a part Denmark. The provinces are governed by Stockholm (or Copenhagen in the case of Bornholm). There is no local administrative entity which governs the region and no official institutions with a regional view of culture and history. The Organisation Skansk Framtid was founded in order to achieve a change in this regional situation. The Organisation Skansk Framtid has branches in Skane, Halland and Blekinge and has support organisations in Copenhagen and Goteborg. Bornholm has its own independent organisation. THE ORGANISATION SKANSK FRAMTID Skansk Framtid was founded in 1989. Its purpose is to work towards the restoration of Scania's very special but rapidly diminishing culture. The final goal is to achieve a fully autonomous cultural status. The Swedish central state has since the beginning attempted to erase Scania's cultural identity and regional awareness. In spite of decades of effort by individuals and local organisations this negative situation continues to prevail. One reason is that very few channels exist today for regional organisations to enhance the Scanian public's cultural awareness or even make their opinions known. The Swedish central television and radio monopolies keep the doors locked to regional issues. The major newspapers have been very restrictive in dealing with what is sometimes been called the "Scanian problem". Official institutions disown the entire issue. No Scanian history is taught in the schools of Scania or Sweden. The Organisation Skansk Framtid (SSF) came into being in the wake of increasing evidence of frustration and general mistrust of the establishment among Scanians and people in other culturally divergent regions. SSF bases all of its activities on upholding democratic values and on international conventions and recommendations set forth by UN, Unesco, the European Council and the Helsinki Accord as well as the goals of minority organisations in Europe and worldwide. THE HISTORY The recorded history of the Scanian people dates back to the 4th century including a period of 800 years as an important part of Denmark. Scania was annexed to Sweden at the peace treaty of Roskilde in 1658. During the years immediately following the peace treaty the Scanian people suffered greatly through resistance actions and through actions on the part of the Swedish central state. Since then, using economic, political and propagandistic pressures, the Swedish state has followed a policy of "re-nationalisation" towards the people of Scania. Attempts to remodel Scanians into Swedes are still in progress. Criteria for Nationhood ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The region of Scania fits very well the criteria for the identification of a nation: a) an indigenous group of people with a common historical background b) inhabiting a well defined territory c) with a history and cultural background different from the surrounding areas and d) having or have had its own language. Chronological History ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SCANIAN PERIOD Year 380 Alaric - the first person to claim the title Rex Scaniae. 380-770 15 known Kings of Scania of which 5 use the title Rex Scaniae. About 770 Ivar Vidfamne, King of Scaniae, the first empire builder of the North. Before 800 Harald Hildetand, the great King of Scaniae. DANISH PERIOD 811-1047 Danish kings rule the land of Scaniae. SCANIAN/DANISH PERIOD 1047-1330 Sven Estridsin and sons -- Scanians on the Danish Throne. 1134-1330 Danish Kings rule the land of Scaniae. THE PERIOD OF THE HOLSTEINERS 1330-1360 Count Johan of Holstein rules the land of Scaniae. THE COMMONWEALTH PERIOD 1332-1360 Scania in Union with Sweden, Finland and Norway under the King of Magnus Eriksson Smek. He uses the title Rex Scaniae. DANISH PERIOD 1360-1376 Valdemar Atterdag rebuilds the state of Denmark and recaptures Scaniae. THE GUARDIAN PERIOD 1376-1397 Margarethe Valdemarsdotter rules over Denmark and Norway as guardian of her son Olof II and thereafter for Erich of Pommern. THE PERIOD OF THE NORDIC UNION 1397-1412 Margarethe Valdemarsdotter (for Erich of Pommern), Nordic ruler. 1412-1439 Erich of Pommern - Nordic King. 1439-1448 Christoffer of Bayern - Nordic King. DANISH PERIOD 1448-1658 Danish kings rule Scaniae. GOVERNORSHIP PERIOD 1658-1720 The period of Governorship in Skaneland (Scaniae). (Described by the Swedish government as "a domestic but foreign territory". Scaniae has its own parliament and a guarantee that it will be allowed to follow its own laws.) SWEDISH PERIOD 1720-1801 Swedish kings rule Scaniae. 1801-1809 The Governorship is reinstated in the province of Skane. 1809-Today The region of Skaneland (Skane) is divided into 3 separate provinces under Swedish rule - Skane, Halland and Blekinge. (The Island of Bornholm under Danish rule.) The 333-Year Book ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In September 1991 the Scania Framtid published a book illuminating the historical and political perspectives of the Scanian situation. It was well received both by readers and press. The following are excerpts from major newspaper reviews of "333-boken". HELSINGBORGS DAGBLAD: "...I sat and enjoyed the initiative of SSF, making more or less unobtainable texts available in this way, 333 years after the Roskilde peace treaty." BLEKINGE LANS TIDNINGAR: "Reading the book, you can't avoid feeling shocked over the malicious deeds carried out by the Swedes and the methodical policy to wipe out the historical roots and self-esteem of an entire province." KRISTIANSTADSBLADET: "A special task is slowly emerging for Scania through the creation of the European Common Market. This positive thought is also included in the "333 year book", which nobody will put down unaffected." SKANSKA DAGBLADET: "The Scanian book of all times... I am critical to parts of this explosively vital and beautifully printed book but most of it I take to my Scanian heart!" BYAHORNET: "The book is very important for our region and calls for contemplation on the part of all of us." THE DEMANDS 1. The indigenous minorities within the present borders of Sweden must be officially recognized by the State. 2. The Swedish State must accept that citizenship and nationality are not the same thing. 3. The Peoples of the regions must be permitted to regain a truthful and complete view of their history and cultural background. 4. Sweden must come to terms with its past by satisfying a regional need for a true historical information process in schools and the like. 5. The State must actively promote cultural relations over the state borders in Scandinavia. 6. The State must cease to deny the existence of the Scanian language. 7. Regional symbols, heraldry and ceremonial objects associated with the various regions must be given official status and acceptance as important cultural objects and given the same respect shown Swedish cultural objects. 8. The historical institution at the University of Lund must be given an assignment and financial resources for research and publication of the complete and chronological history and cultural background of the people of Scania. 9. The region of Scania must be released from the burden of being referred to as "Southern Gotaland". Gotaland is a very specific cultural and historical region in itself, which was allowed to "expand" for the sake of the swedenization program. It has culturally and historically nothing to do with Scania. 10. The State must, with reference to the concept of nationality and citizenship under point 2 above, reverse its recent decision to introduce an official "Swedish National Day" celebration on the 6th of June, to replace the Swedish "Flag Day" formerly on the same date. 11. The State shall encourage the people in Scania to erect statues and other official symbols to commemorate Scanian and Danish persons and events important to Scanian history. 12. A recovery program must immediately be put into effect which will replace and return important Scanian and Danish cultural and historical works of art, heirlooms and relics from Sweden to a Danish/Scanian cultural sphere of influence. 13. The Government and government institutions should act in accordance with the Swedish Constitution, 1st chapter, 2nd clause, 4th paragraph, which states: "Opportunities for ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities to maintain and develop their own cultural and community life should be encouraged." THE ACTIVITIES The organisation has carried out a number of activities during its existence. Some of the major achievements are listed below. 1. Public opinion analysis of the present cultural relations between Scania and Sweden. 2. A major campaign to persuade the Swedish Government to return heirlooms, relics and works of art to Denmark. All were stolen from the Scanian/Danish region by the Swedes between 1657 and 1660 and stored in large quantities in various castles and museums in and around Stockholm. 3. Demands have been made to politicians and the teaching profession to reinstate instruction in Scanian history into the Scanian schools. 4. Demands to the Discrimination Ombudsman that his offices must begin to properly deal with the Scanian problem in accordance with the international conventions on cultural rights. 5. The publishing of the 333-year book" to commemorate the 333rd year of the invasion of Scania by the Swedish armed forces. 6. Legal registration of the Scanian flag and panther symbol. 7. A major campaign to reestablish historical regions in Sweden pursued on Government and local levels and in accordance with EC's directives. 8. Participation in seminars, public events and information meetings on all levels. 9. Participation in campaigns to spread information about Skaneland on an international level. 10. Establishing support organisations in other parts of the country and abroad. FLAG AND SHIELD FLAG: Red background with yellow cross. Proportions 3-1-3 in height and 3-1-4.5 in length. SVR 431/92 The origin of this flag can be traced to the banner used by the Nordic church when it was headed by the archbishop of Lund. The diocese included Skane (Scania), Halland, Blekinge and the island of Bornholm and was identical with the Skaneland wherein Scanian law was valid. The ecclesiastical flag, which was red with a yellow cross, had its secular equivalent in the union flag of 1430 instituted by Erik of Pommern. This flag was yellow with a red cross, the twin of the church flag but with colours in reverse. In the more recent 1870's the Skaneland flag was reintroduced in Lund as a home region flag. Since then it has been in use in connection with sport, culture, commerce, advertising, etc. The Skaneland flag rests firmly on historical ground and can be associated with the Scanian historical situation. Design and dimensions as shown here are derived from the original Danish flag from the period when Skaneland was a part of the Danish kingdom. The "Danebrog" has since this time gone through several changes in proportions. The Skaneland flag, like the "panther" symbol is registered as a regional and cultural symbol by the Foundation for Scanias Future. SHIELD: A heraldic, Skaneland panther, yellow on red field. SVR 432/92 South Scandinavian symbol from Viking and early middle age runic monuments found in Tullstorp and Hunnestad. Similar to other Germanic animal symbols from early migration period. The animal on these stones has much in common with the fabled creature called "panther" in heraldic terminology. Panthers often spit fire from mouth and nostrils, have horns, hind legs similar to a lion and front legs similar to an eagle. Many variations occur, but the Skaneland panther is unique. A certain continuity in Skaneland's image traditions can be seen in the use of a shield showing a panther by a Scanian family during the middle ages. In the year 1285 the family seal of Magnus Scanong de Scania showed a panther-like animal. It is unclear whether there is any connection to a later Danish family which used a panther in its coat of arms, however this family lived at different times in Scania and married into Scanian families. The Skaneland panther has its roots in runic stones, was later heraldized, and is still a symbol for culturally and historically aware Scanians. Recently it has been more officially reinstituted and has since 1975 been used, among other things, in the symbol of The Scanian Academy. C O N T A C T S The Foundation STIFTELSEN SKANSK FRAMTID, SSF Box 93, S240 30 Marieholm, Sweden Telephone: +46-413-706 92 Telefax: +46-413-707 65 Postgiro: 38 76 77 - 8 E-mail: Skframtid.gha@helsingborg.se Org.number: 842000-8743 Chairman: Goran Hansson, Master Mariner, Marieholm Boardmembers: Peter Broberg, Architect, Landskrona Holger Fornstedt, Civil Engineer, Helsingborg Uno Rondahl, Chief of Police, retired, Nasum Franz Lenz, Patent Attorney, Vellinge Werner Persson, History teacher, Lund Sven Olle Olsson, Ph.D, Malm The Membership Organisation FORENINGEN SKANELANDS FRAMTID - FSF Box 93, S240 30 Marieholm, Sweden Telephone: +46-413-555 798 Telefax +46-413-117 98 Postgiro: 79 02 79 - 4 Secretariat: Gert Bjork Skomakargatan 25 S-241 38 Eslov, Sweden The Support Organisations: FORENINGEN SKANSK FREMTID, Denmark Secretariat: Jorgen Kopp, Solicitor Telephone: +45-33 121 812 FORENINGEN ORESUNDSREGIONEN, Denmark Secretariat: Peter Jessen, Chairman Telephone: +45-31 56 51 30 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- To have a current Center For World Indigenous Studies Publication Catalogue sent to you via e-mail, send a request to jburrows@halcyon.com http://www.halcyon.com/FWDP/cwiscat.html Center For World Indigenous Studies P.O. 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