Elgaland-Vargaland
Elgaland-Vargaland is a conceptual art project and micronation conceived and developed by Swedish artists Carl Michael von Hausswolff and Leif Elggren in 1992. It is also known by its acronym "KREV" (KonungaRikena Elgaland-Vargaland). Origins Von Hausswolff and Elggren formed the name out of their own names and define the country as being the borders of other countries. The decision to found the country and name themselves kings was in reaction to Sweden still having a monarchy. The country was announced in an advert in Dagens Nyheter newspaper. It was announced on May 27, 1992. Other Scandinavian artists have had micronations, such as Lars Vilks' Ladonia. Operations Elgaland-Vargaland has a flag and national anthem, issues passports and stamps on request, and has had a number of "embassies" (art exhibitions). Elggren often invokes "the image of a street-corner lunatic with a paper crown who declares himself King". In March 1994, they opened a "general consulate" at Thomas Nordanstad Gallery in New York and applied for membership of the United Nations. In 2002, on the tenth anniversary, a group of 10 travelled from Sweden to Estonia carrying only Elgaland-Vargaland passports - they were detained and their passports confiscated, and they were returned to