Sword finder Saga hailed as 'new ruler of the earth'
The news that an eight-year-old Swedish-American girl discovered a pre-Viking sword in a lake has caused excitement around the world, with many naming her the new Queen of Sweden.
In Sweden, many online followers wondered if this was a way to break Sweden's political deadlock (the country is in the process of trying to form a government after an inconclusive September 9th election).
Ah, finally an end to our post-election limbo. Tell the political parties someone else has been chosen by fate to form a government. #Sweden https://t.co/RIlNZwjd2t
— Carl Fridh Kleberg (@FridhKleberg) October 4, 2018
Some went further and suggested she should rule the whole planet.
Well that’s it then, she’s the new ruler of earth. We all must pledge our fealty https://t.co/HOaRgUcqtr
— David Teicher (@Aerocles) October 4, 2018
READ ALSO: Eight-year-old Swedish-American girl pulls pre-Viking era sword from lake
Saga and her sword. Photos: Andrew Vanecek
In general, people seemed quite happy to accept Saga Vanecek as their leader.
Eight-year-old Swedish girl Saga Vanecek is our queen and ruler now, and just in goddamn time. https://t.co/wz0w7SevGk
— Angus Johnston (@studentactivism) October 4, 2018
It was a good opportunity for a Monty Python reference...
'Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.' https://t.co/T9Ns4wXuzE
— Wikimedia UK (@wikimediauk) October 4, 2018
... as well as Harry Potter
Be honest @jk_rowling: This is the Sword of Gryffindor, isn’t it? https://t.co/Xa5Gygy11g
— Emma Löfgren (@ekjlofgren) October 4, 2018
Tweeters marvelled at Saga's name, which means 'the seeing one' in Norse, and is used to refer to epic legends about heroic struggles in both Swedish and English.
She will get a saga written about her, The saga of Saga.
— Jonathan (@ZabaJonarr) October 4, 2018
Some commenters said it was an extremely 'Swedish' tale (here's the herring and elk story referred to).
Ok, this story may be even more quintessentially Swedish than the herring and elk story. #Sweden https://t.co/gW1Q8QFS1Y
— Ron Morrison (@kentuckyron) October 4, 2018
Others drew comparisons with a seven-year-old schoolgirl who found a sword in a lake in Cornwall, England last year. In that case, the sword was believed to be a toy or film prop, whereas the relic discovered by Saga is estimated by museum experts who spoke to The Local to date back to the 5th or 6th century AD:
She and the British girl who pulled a sword out of a pond in the UK a while back need to have a summit meeting post-haste.
— CaffieneKitty (@Caffienekitty) October 4, 2018
As for Saga herself, when The Local asked her how she felt about the huge reaction to her discovery, she said it was "cool", but that she hopes to become a doctor, vet, or actress.
Read The Local's interview with Saga and her dad HERE
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In Sweden, many online followers wondered if this was a way to break Sweden's political deadlock (the country is in the process of trying to form a government after an inconclusive September 9th election).
Ah, finally an end to our post-election limbo. Tell the political parties someone else has been chosen by fate to form a government. #Sweden https://t.co/RIlNZwjd2t
— Carl Fridh Kleberg (@FridhKleberg) October 4, 2018
Some went further and suggested she should rule the whole planet.
Well that’s it then, she’s the new ruler of earth. We all must pledge our fealty https://t.co/HOaRgUcqtr
— David Teicher (@Aerocles) October 4, 2018
READ ALSO: Eight-year-old Swedish-American girl pulls pre-Viking era sword from lake
Saga and her sword. Photos: Andrew Vanecek
In general, people seemed quite happy to accept Saga Vanecek as their leader.
Eight-year-old Swedish girl Saga Vanecek is our queen and ruler now, and just in goddamn time. https://t.co/wz0w7SevGk
— Angus Johnston (@studentactivism) October 4, 2018
It was a good opportunity for a Monty Python reference...
'Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.' https://t.co/T9Ns4wXuzE
— Wikimedia UK (@wikimediauk) October 4, 2018
... as well as Harry Potter
Be honest @jk_rowling: This is the Sword of Gryffindor, isn’t it? https://t.co/Xa5Gygy11g
— Emma Löfgren (@ekjlofgren) October 4, 2018
Tweeters marvelled at Saga's name, which means 'the seeing one' in Norse, and is used to refer to epic legends about heroic struggles in both Swedish and English.
She will get a saga written about her, The saga of Saga.
— Jonathan (@ZabaJonarr) October 4, 2018
Some commenters said it was an extremely 'Swedish' tale (here's the herring and elk story referred to).
Ok, this story may be even more quintessentially Swedish than the herring and elk story. #Sweden https://t.co/gW1Q8QFS1Y
— Ron Morrison (@kentuckyron) October 4, 2018
Others drew comparisons with a seven-year-old schoolgirl who found a sword in a lake in Cornwall, England last year. In that case, the sword was believed to be a toy or film prop, whereas the relic discovered by Saga is estimated by museum experts who spoke to The Local to date back to the 5th or 6th century AD:
She and the British girl who pulled a sword out of a pond in the UK a while back need to have a summit meeting post-haste.
— CaffieneKitty (@Caffienekitty) October 4, 2018
As for Saga herself, when The Local asked her how she felt about the huge reaction to her discovery, she said it was "cool", but that she hopes to become a doctor, vet, or actress.
Read The Local's interview with Saga and her dad HERE
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