Norwegian refugees crossing the border to neutral Sweden. The help of resistance men and grenseloser was required to find a way through the thick woods lining the border. Since Børli lived near the border and spent a lot of time felling trees in the area, it was but natural that he would function as a grenselos.
Source: Sverre Eier
A document thanking Hans Børli for his part in the defence of Norway against the German invasion signed by the Norwegian king Haakon 7. Børli fought by Vardal right after mobilization of the troops was declared in April 1940. Later he had to be persuaded by his family to come and collect this document as well as a financial sum connected to it. He did not consider his war deeds to be something notable, believing he only did what was necessary when it was necessary.
Source: Sverre Eier
Børheim, a house in which Hans Børli lived from 1962 to his death. Inside the famous little blue table can be found, a table on which most of his is poetry was written. Visiting this place was a magical experience. It was just an ordinary house without any hint that there had been a poet living inside. The view from the windows into the surrounding area was all but magical, and I have realised what sort of a magical vision he must have had to be able to see this place as he had seen it.
Photo by Jitka Peloušková
By the prison camp in Jørstadmoen close to Lillehammer. Børli was imprisoned there after the short-lived defense fightings in Vardal. Later during the war, the camp housed mainly Russian prisoners. They were worked to death or killed by disease to and now rest in a mass graveyard with over 900 bodies, which lies right next to the camp. Now, the camp serves as a training camp of the Norwegian army, Forsvaret.
Photo by Jitka Peloušková
A photo from my visit to the Eidskog area where Børli lived. Thanks to the great willingness and generosity of Sverre Eier, the leader of the Hans Børli fellowship, I was able to visit many places connected to Børli, among those also his grave located by the Eidskog church.
Photo by Jitka Peloušková
A bust of Hans Børli decorating the Børli's square in Skotterud, a village in which he lived most of his life. In the year 2018 when the 100th anniversary of the poet‘s birth was celebrated, a wooden shed was built in the square inspired by his poems, in which each hour an audio recording of the poet reciting his verses is played. Opposite the bust, there is a library with a Børli room inside, where an exhibition of various prizes and memorabilia connected to the poet are displayed.
Photo by Jitka Peloušková
