Värmland has (had) something as extraordinary as one kingdom and two republics within the shire! One of these, situated in Sölje in the west of Värmland was the republic of Åsen. In Sölje bygdegård are many reminiscenses from this, among other things a list of presidents and ministers from 1918-78, examples of the passports and taxsheets of the republic and even an academic report about the republic. Sölje bygdegård has a collection of art made by one of the founders of the republic of Åsen, Arvid K Gustafsson, commonly known as Arvé.