- Pontus and Ola?
Of course I know them.
They are local celebrities, says Jaana Eriksson who has a restaurant by the Svinesund Bridge.
The twins became nationally known in both Sweden and Norway when in April 2020 they celebrated their 72nd birthday with coffee and cake in the middle of the Svinesund Bridge.
No packages were handed out and each one brought his own coffee because contact across the border was forbidden.
Pontus lives his life in the forests east of Hogdal and Ola in Halden, Norway, but they have daily contact.
- Yes.
And we meet often, Pontus says and Ola agrees.
They almost always do, agree with each other.
- We are very similar, Pontus states.
Yes, we are, says Ola.
Fascination for the 18th century
They also share a burning interest in the 18th century.
Both have elegantly sewn 18th century clothes and they are active in the theatrical life in Halden, especially when it comes to plays with a theme from the favorite century.
And it often does because Halden is dominated by Fredriksten's fortress with its dramatic 18th century history.
- There was the trench where Charles XII was shot, says Pontus and points away to the outer fortifications.
Yes, it does, Ola states.
Local celebrities in Norway and Sweden
They love to attract attention in the city by strolling around in their outfits, or having a cup of coffee at one of Halden's cafés, just to see the reaction.
- Was it you who shot the king, a passer-by asks.
No, but they have their theories, and Pontus is convinced that it was not a Norwegian who fired.
When the "criminal twins" Pontus and Ola are seen, they like to put on 18th century clothes.
They share the fascination with that era.
Photo: SVT / Rebecka Adin
- But you do not want to hear that here in Halden, he notes.
Here one wants to believe that it was a Norwegian bullet that ended the intruder's life.
That's exactly how it is, Ola states and agrees.
Just like they usually do.