During my researches for The World Out There, the sequel of Gatekeepers, I came across the concept of micronation. I thought it was a fun idea but did not have time to linger much on it. My mind was on the book and the book only. Then about 6 months later, my friend Marieluise contacted me to ask if I wanted to participate in her project of creating one. Of course, I seized the opportunity!
So what is a virtual micronation? According to Wikipedia, ‘a micronation, sometimes referred to as a model country or new country project,
is an entity that claims to be an independent nation or state but is not officially recognized by world governments or major international organizations. (…) Several micronations have issued coins, flags, postage stamps, passports, medals, and other items, which are rarely accepted outside of their own community.’
And us, do we take our micronation seriously? We do, yet we don’t. You see, we are simply very serious in all our projects of not taking life seriously! So our micronation is more a fun social project and a sharing experience than us having illusions of independence or claims over some plot of land on the British Isles.
We are new at this, or I am, and
unsure if its life expectancy will go beyond next month, or if our interest is not going to die with the summer’s heat. Whatever happens, it is another experience
that gives us an insight on what some people are up to, that gives us great moments of laughter, and that reminds us it sometimes takes very little to give a different conduit for creativity.
And now below are some details on Natantis, the virtual micronation who seriously believes in being too serious in life!
Thank you for reading,
Yours, Virginie
P.S.: Feel free to gain citizenship. Simply like the Natantis page.
Founding Day: Thursday 18th February 2016:
Governmental form: single candidate (unanimous elected) democracy
Motto: Contra Gravitatem (official motto) – She made me do it, but I like it (unofficial motto)
Anthem: I believe I can fly
National bird: Pegasus, the flying horse
National holidays: 18th of February – Founding Day, 7th of June – single candidate’s (unanimous elected) blessed day of birth
National costume – White Tie, worn whenever possible
National sport: Reeling (with only spinning and turning)
Head of Government: Marieluise Great Single Elect (unanimously!)
Minister of Art and Culture: Virginie
Minister War and Peace (because it just sounds so Tolstoy): Maxime
Minister of Resolution 4 Country (is that Internal Affairs? We are not sure but we like the title): Giles
And so on…
Minister of Art & Culture (Me!) first announcement:
[That could be of interest for you readers of the blog, there are some good London events in there]
Dear Natantis Single Candidate Elect, Fellow Ministers and Citizens,
As Minister for Art and Culture, I am delighted to inform and promote a few random events that might soon brighten your day, enlighten your mind, feed your thirst for knowledge and/or get your groove going.
Note I: I picked those totally at random among many because I just don’t feel like following any rules today. Note II: I will not go to some of them because I don’t feel like it, but do go if you wish/can and have a blast.
Note II: I will not go to some of them because I don’t feel like it, but do go if you wish/can and have a blast.
Note III: Neither Natantis as a whole nor I individually will assume any responsibility whatsoever if you don’t have fun there because you might just be in a bad mood that day and that is not in our control. Smiiiiiiiile!
There it goes, some London events to come:
– 8th April: Fun in Odd places After-School for Grown-Up and Silent Disco @ the Natural History Museum
https://www.facebook.m/events/1689048648001135/
– 12h April: Food For The Brain (and wine, of course) Widows of the Eighteenth Century: Power Over Architecture @FitzroyPlace
https://www.facebook.com/events/1045451408810819/
– 16th April: Fashion Fun Exhibition Vogue 100 After Hours @ National Portrait Gallery
https://www.facebook.com/events/1549415812042959/
– 16th May: Pure Intellectual Lecture (For People Trying To Get There… Or Used To Be There and Having Illusions Of Come-Back – like me…)
On Dostoevsky @ the LSE
https://www.facebook.com/events/951032291601387/
Contra Gravitatem to you all,
Yours, Virginie
