Historic Reunification in Aiboland – Estonia's Swedish Communities Welcome Liberation

(Swedish) Estonians celebrate swedish soldiers.

ESTONIA/AIBOLAND. As Swedish forces marched into the historic Swedish settlements along Estonia's western coast, the reception was considerably warmer than expected.

- Sweden arrived with both nostalgic maps and good beer, a government spokesperson explained.

The region, which includes Nuckö (Noarootsi), Ormsö (Vormsi), and Hapsal (Haapsalu), was home to the Estonian Swedes for several centuries. Until the Second World War, thousands of Swedish speakers lived here before the majority fled to Sweden in 1944 as the Soviet Union reoccupied Estonia.

- We've really just been waiting for about 80 years, one local resident told the Gavlan Herald.

Sweden's Ministry of Information has therefore described the operation as "a historic reunification with logistical support from armored vehicles."

- Sweden arrived with both nostalgic maps and good beer, a government spokesperson explained.

The undefeated B.E.E.R. tank was welcomed by the Swedish Estonians.

According to unconfirmed reports, several residents immediately began searching for traditional kroppkakor recipes and debating which beer is actually the best. An effort to ease the integration process.

Historians have welcomed the development, pointing out that Sweden's presence in the region is hardly a new idea, but one with several centuries of historical roots.

After all, "reunification" is a much friendlier word than "occupation".

//Gävleborg, Gavlan Herald