One City in Two Countries : regional identity and cultural heritage on the HaparandaTornio border during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract: The collaborative cross-border region HaparandaTornio has been recognised as the most peaceful border in the world due to its shared history, which can be examined through the common tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The tangible cultural heritage can be investigated through four phases of HaparandaTornio's institutionalisation; (1) the motion of single projects, (2) joint local policy agreements, (3) creating a joint body and (4) continued responsibility of being defined as a Twin City. The intangible cultural heritage can be recognised through the border being a uniting seam, rather than an isolating barrier, where different languages, mentality and traditions have merged. In March 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic forced national decision-makers to close the border between HaparandaTornio. The border closing has not only restricted local habitants of moving freely in their region but also intensified the "we and them"-mentality amongst the habitants from the respective cities. This shows that collaborative regional decision-making is crucial of maintaining the common cultural heritage of HaparandaTornio, but also to cultivate the everyday life of the habitants living in the cross-border region. Yet, HaparandaTornio remains just as a concept, being identified as one city in two countries. This identification can not be legally defined which creates contradictions in the regional will and national law. If the border were to close again, communication between regional authorities and national decision-makers are necessary, to constitute reasonable measures that serves cross-border regions. The results of this thesis have been gathered through a site-visit, interviews and a survey.