Laplandica

…has always been a special geographical highlight for me. From growing up in Ohio and reading about northern explorations by strong minded people who were engaged with discovering the northern polar icecap, developing visions of open spaces and miles of white rugged ice or imagining a harsh and challenging environment with unprecedented opportunities for adventure I would have shaken my head in disbelief that I would one day have the fortune of actually living near the Arctic Circle.

This is why it is difficult to explain the total disappointment I have with an individual who I’ve had a disgusting distant connection with these past few years.

The Arctic Circle along the Inland Railway

This individual, whose name will not be hung-out in cyberspace by me, comes to a part of the Arctic Circle on a nearby graveled back road during the summer. He arranges his house trailer some ten meters north of the circle, erects a crude, ugly and unattractive calamity of a selling booth and literally squats the summer selling appallingly low-quality reindeer horn and “souvenirs” to tourists that jump off the Inland Railway train on its way northwards. This year, he tried to arrange fishing and “bear observation” trips. He comes from Morjärv and does not have permission from the land owner to carry-out his enterprise…here, for most visitors, a geographically significant place.

The Morjärv Clown leaves his calling card…again!

Now, it’s important to note that Sweden is one of few countries in the world having a Right To Public Access. Another great country is Scotland. This right allows everyone to use, with responsibility, the land area of the nation. But, there are some points in this law that are interesting and should be noted by everyone visiting the north… especially in regards to the Morjärv Clown.

Firstly, when using the natural surroundings, it is expected that everyone takes home scrap and waste! Secondly, people using the land for commercial enterprise, in other words tour operators, guides or salesmen that are gaining profits from their businesses, must have the landowner’s written permission to do so. This includes overnight stays by the tour operators, salesmen etc.

The Morjärv Clown has openly and nonchalantly disregarded these laws for many years. I have reported him to the police but the manner of which Swedish laws are formulated or the work load of the local police have allowed the Morjärv Clown to continue getting away with breaking the law.

I would like to suggest a solution here. The man makes money from the train passengers. If the Inland Railway passengers would refuse to get off at the Arctic Circle or the Inland Railway itself would process against this man, then he could probably be stopped? If more people would report this man to the police, then perhaps something positive would turn out from this action?

I’m sure other incidents and examples of this nature can be shared, but I’d like to see the Arctic Circle continue having the adventuresome significance it has for everyone in the future without it being blemished by a clown and a joker.