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HISTORY

As early as the Iron Age, Jamtland had its first domiciled population, and the people lived in an independent farmers' republic for several centuries. Later, Jamtland came under Norwegian rule as a result of the battle of Andersön in 1178. Jamtland remained under Norwegian supremacy until the middle of the 16th century, when Norway became a part of Denmark. Until the Brömsebro peace treaty in 1645, the Jamts were Danish/Norwegian subjects, and from 1645, Jamtland has been under Swedish rule.

THE LIBERATION MOVEMENT

The Liberation Movement was formed in the 1960s under the name 'Frihetsrörelsen' ('The Freedom Movement'). It was a direct result of the Swedish government's plans for merging Jamtland with the län (=administrative province) of Västernorrland.

With the war-cry 'Jamtland is bleeding!,' the Freedom Movement protested loudly against the impoverishment of our region. Tens of thousands of Jamts sent postcards to the government saying 'Shame on you!,' and the Movement recruited thousands of members. As a grande finale, Jamtland was declared a sovereign republic, with its own government and president. The fantastic Yngve Gamlin was elected President.

President Gamlin made a number of great achievements during his time as President. Among other things, he had summit talks at Harpsund with the former Swedish Prime Minister, Mr. Tage Erlander. During one of these meetings, he presented Mr. Erlander with the result of that year's elk-hunting, namely a smoked shoulder of venison! With the purpose of putting the chauvinistic Swedes out of the running, he was also successful in the hazardous task of stealing the sea-valve from the famous rowing-boat at Harpsund.

When the Jamtlandic freedom festival, Storsjöyran, died out at the beginning of the 1970s, the Freedom Movement lost its most important channel to the people of Jamtland, and the organization led a languishing life until the beginning of the 80s. Then Storsjöyran was revived, and so was the Freedom Movement, but now under the name 'Befrielserörelsen' ('The Liberation Movement').

In 1983, Mr. Jan "Moltas" Eriksson was elected new President of the Republic, which he ruled with a firm hand until his tragic demise in 1983. He was a colourful profile, who easily earned people's appreciation, perhaps mostly because of his ability to mix seriousness and fun. Whenever someone asked him how serious the Liberation Movement really was, he usually answered: "Let's just say it's 51% seriousness and 49% fun." Another of his famous utterances was coined during one of his traditional Presidential Speeches:

Jamts, tower like pines above the common shrubbery!

In the summer of 1989, following a long period of disease, President Eriksson handed over the presidential office to Mr. Ewert Ljusberg, a singer and performer from Herjeådalen.

Today, the Liberation Movement is a rapidly growing organization, and its full, impressive name is: Föreningen Republiken Jamtland, Befrielserörelsen (The Society of the Republic of Jamtland, the Liberation Movement). Its members work to preserve and promote the Jamtlandic culture, language and way of life. In the long run, the purpose is also to restore Jamtland's ancient freedom and independence.

THE JAMTLANDIC BANNER - HISTORY

As early as 1525, when Vincens Lunge, the Danish lord of Jamtland, made his tour of the country, he had the Jamtlandic banner carried before him in the procession. Unfortunately, that banner is lost forever, and we have no idea of what it looked like. However, several things indicate that the ancient seal from the beginning of the 14th century was a part of it.

TODAY'S BANNER

According to the original design by Mr. Kent Backman, the banner is divided into three fields, where the colours represent aspects of our nature: the blue sky, lakes and rivers, the white mountains and the green forest. The Jamtlandic seal is placed in the white field in the middle. It symbolizes the independence Jamtland once had, even after we had recognized Norwegian superiority, thus giving the banner its appropriate historical connection.

THE SEAL

The seal shows two Jamts holding the shield with the Norwegian lion. Note that the shield is uncrowned. On either side of the shield is a Jamt with a longbow, aiming his arrow at a squirrel. In those days, the taxes were paid in 'greyskins,' which is another name for a squirrel's winter fur. The text surrounding the seal is in Latin and reads: SIGILLUM COMMUNITATIS DE IEMTHALANDIA ('the seal of the common people in Jamtland').

THE THREE-FIELDED DESIGN

Dividing the banner into three fields is the most ingenious part of its design. The lack of a cross does not imply a rejection of the church; it merely symbolizes the fact that the Republic is older than Christendom, which came to this area around the 11th century. Other provinces, like Skåne (Scania), have tried to produce hybrids of the Nordic national banners by using a cross, whereas we have a unique and independently designed banner, where the three fields also represent the three sub-republics of Jamtland, Herjeådalen and Ravund!

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS

Jamtland's commemoration day is March 12th. That is the date when the Althing Jamtamot was held every year until the 17th century, when it was outlawed by the Swedes. The official flag-flying days are March 12 and June 16 (the latter commemorating the Summer Thing). Other flag-flying days are customary Swedish ones.

THE JRA

The JRA is a slightly legal organization, believed to be loosely connected with the Liberation Movement. Despite the similarity of the abbreviations, it is NOT to be confused with the IRA, the Irish Republican Army. As you will see below, our army's methods and objectives are vastly different.

'JRA' stands for 'Jamtland Republican Army,' and they are the fellows who make the most noise. So-called 'hi-jackings,' road tolls, passport and visa checkpoints and other mischief aimed towards the chauvinistic Swedish superiority, is JRA's special cup of tea. All JRA members are extremely secret, and they operate under assumed names to avoid Swedish infiltration. They are often so secret that they don't know who the other members of the unit are, and some are even so secret they don't know who they are themselves!

The actions performed by the JRA usually result in chaos and bewilderment, which effectively prevents the "victims" from leaving any reliable descriptions. Normally, all they can remember is that the members were wearing grey, army-like coats, sunglasses, slouch-hats and that they were armed with all kinds of farming implements.

The defence of the Republic is also JRA's responsibility. At its disposal is the Air Force (in the shape of an environment-friendly sailplane called FOS Grepen; no dangerous emissions except perhaps those of the pilot!). There is also the Navy (the steamers Thomée and Storsjön) and the Army. The armed forces are well organized, and each year in September, a large manoeuvre is held in the forests. Thousands of Jamts dress up in green clothes and red hatbands, leave for the forest with their rifles, and for three weeks, they shoot at everything that moves. This is also referred to as 'elk-hunting'.

Of course, the Liberation Movement cannot openly express its support to the JRA, but the two groups are well aware of each other, and they are believed to communicate through secret channels. One known example of this is a hollow tree-trunk just outside Brunflo, which some people believe to be a secret 'mailbox'.

MEMBERSHIP

By now, you must be wondering how to become a member of such an illustrious society. Don't worry, it's really simple. All you have to do is to go here and fill out the form. The Liberation Movement is a politically and religiously independent, non-profit organization that welcomes anyone with an interest in Jamtland.

Some key words:

Jamt

A male inhabitant of the Republic of Jamtland.

Jamtstårs

A female inhabitant. Usually refers to girls and younger women.

Ravund

The Swedish spelling is 'Ragunda'. It is the province just east of Jamtland.

Herjeådalen

The Swedish spelling is 'Härjedalen'. It is the province just south of Jamtland.

Hi-jackings

It is not as dangerous as it sounds. What usually happens is that a JRA squad takes command of your bus, ship, or whatever you happen to be traveling in. Then, if you're lucky, they will let you have a taste of the typical Jamtlandic beverage called 'lyngbersdricka,' which is prepared of cranberries and a few secret ingredients. Whilst you are sipping this, the soldiers will entertain, inform, astonish and amuse you in their own inimitable manner. Be advised: just about anything may happen!

Jamtamot

The word (in ancient Jamtlandic) means 'meeting of Jamts'. Every male Jamt was entitled to be present at the Jamtamot. A chieftain ('gode') was appointed to preside, and he consulted his advisors before passing sentence in criminal matters or settled disputes. In short, the Jamtamot can be described as a combined court of law and a legislative assembly, quite similar to Iceland's Viking-age Althing. It was held on or around March 12 every year from about 935 A.D. to the mid-17th century, when it was banned by the Swedes.

The rowing-boat at Harpsund

The Swedish Prime Minister between 1946 and 1969, Mr. Tage Erlander, often used this boat in connection with state visits, when he took the foreign dignitaries for a little boat ride just before important summit talks. This proved a brilliant strategy to create a relaxed and unforced atmosphere.

This unique picture shows President Gamlin (left) on a state visit
with Swedish Prime Minister Tage Erlander in 1967.