Hope – August to December 2024

At the beginning of the year, the Empire focused its efforts and expenditures on creations. It made history in Latin American micronationalism by creating the physical version of the first ever honor, the Order of the Three Golden Fleece, founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1809 and restored by Oscar I at the end of 2022, eventually becoming the highest honor in the Empire. In the following month, the Imperial House had replicas of the Order of the Edelweiss made to be bestowed upon members of the imperial delegation to MicroCon.

But the imperial accomplishments were not limited to honors alone: still in January, Karnia-Ruthenia presented the Conference of Santiago with the first physical copy of the Vetrolin Almanac, a directory of the genealogy of royalty and nobility from the most important micronations in the world, equivalent to the Almanach de Gotha. The luxurious printing was announced by Oscar I, who sent it to be archived by the main patron of the publication, Lucas VIII, Stadtholder of the United Provinces of Mauritia. This was also a historic moment – for the first time in history, a book exclusively about micronations received a hardcover edition.

The first month of the year concluded with the announcement of the signing of the Treaty of Usgarn between the Empire, the United Kingdom of Greater Islip, and the Community of Cheskgariya-Litvania. To help stabilize the micronational sector of Long Island, a new member state of the Empire, the Kingdom of Temeswaria, was created. This member state is administered by the Sixth Army and was formed in a territorial claim previously occupied by Cheskgariya-Litvania, representing a moment of immense prestige in the practice of micronationalism in the United States of America.

This moment of immense international prestige coincided with another very significant event in the foreign relations of the Empire – the first Cultural Exchange with United Republic of Obscurium, a major European micronation. The event, apart from being enjoyable, established a strong friendship between the heads of state and promoted the exchange of currencies, letters, postcards, and even works of art. Some months later, Oscar I would delivery a short speech during the celebrations of the V Anniversary of Foundation of Obscurium.

In addition to Obscurium, ties were strengthened with the Federal Republic of Forestia, a Brazilian micronation with great potential that eventually joined the Conference of Santiago. It even participated in the voting that determined the succession of the Duke of Frag in the leadership of the organization, which currently has its fourth Secretary-General as Queen Maria of Sildavia and Borduria.

In March, while K.R.O.S.A. organized the Empire’s participation in the “Orion Mission” conducted by NASA, the celebration of Archduke Ari’s birthday, the Emperor’s father and King of Pannonia, included the first bestowal of the Order of the Three Golden Fleece to someone outside the Imperial Family.

In the Imperial Court, Prince Hochbach and Count Szentmária continued to be the greatest hosts of social events, and the Imperial Collection received a kind letter and the famous ribbons of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim from their cousin and friend, Prince Lucas VIII of Woestein. Simultaneously, despite the cultural effervescence at the Court, politically, the Emperor suffered his first defeat in the parliament in the entire history of his reign – a bill authored by him proposing the title of his ancestor Rudolf of Rheinfelden – Rex Romanorum, King of the Romans, to the Emperor of Karnia, was rejected by the majority of the members of the Imperial Diet. The idea was to strengthen the Crown’s legitimacy and its ties with the Holy Roman Empire. With the defeat, part of this cultural movement lost momentum.

At the end of March, a series of significant dates began to be observed: the announcement that the Empire would attend MicroCon 2023, marking a year since the passing of the famous micronationalist Prince João de Noronha and three years since the foundation of the Conference of Santiago. During this period, among other things, a flourishing of cultural elements focused on imperial nationalism was observed, with an unprecedented production of artistic works from various genres, including idealized images of the Emperor and the creation of the “Imperial Creed,” a pledge of alliance between the people and the monarch in the form of a simple prayer.

In the second half of April, with the consent of the Imperial Diet, the remaining members of Lehmark were invited to continue their micronational activities within the Empire. Also in this month, the Diet concluded its work on the creation of a quality seal for products exported by the Empire.

On May 5th, the Emperor and thousands of others attended the coronation of King Charles III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Less than two weeks later, another foreign monarch was honored in a much closer capacity. Oscar I met with Grand Duke Travis of Westarctica for a dinner at Terraço Itália in São Paulo. Together with Prince Hochbach, the famous American micronationalist was bestowed with the Order of the Three Golden Fleece, becoming the first foreign head of state to receive this honor, while the Emperor received the Order of the Snowflake in return.

In the following week, the State of Delvera celebrated its Tenth Anniversary in grand style, with Delveran Heritage Day and the establishment of a museum to proudly showcase the history of this titan of American micronationalism, which is one of the driving forces behind the Empire.

In early June, the Imperial Diet approved the creation of the Imperial Meteorological Service, an agency to be administered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which would analyze weather and seismic conditions within the Empire. However, the work in this month was of lesser intensity, as on June 30th, MicroCon 2023 began.

Hosted in Chicago, MicroCon, the most important exclusively micronational event in the world – and its largest edition to date – featured various recreational, cultural, social, and political activities. Beyond reaping rewards in foreign policy, the Imperial and Royal Delegation captured the attention of participants with their dignified demeanor and professional and opulent presentation, marking one of the greatest political victories in national history and justifying the heroic reception of the Empire’s representatives upon their return.

As the Empire approaches another Empire Day, the nation envisions the strengthening of its image as a strong, dignified, and grand nation.

The Emperors’ New Year’s Eve at Steinplatte Palais will take place in the rain, as will that of the Kings of Pannonia in Antonvilla, city of Arigrade. The imperial and royal family, separated by thousands of kilometers, will be reunited with their close members and reflections on the past year will be illuminated by the lightning that cuts through the skies during the storm, and by the loud sound of recent memories, very similar to thunder.

While Villa Alicia bestowed the Emperor-King with honorary citizenship and negotiations with Rivalia transformed Ameroslavia into Pannonia, there were no clouds in the skies. Even when Luiz Saboya, a middling former Brazilian micronationalist, bought a domain with the aim of disrupting the Empire, there was no sign of concern.

In fact, the representation of the Conference of Santiago at MICROCON 2023, marking the first participation of South America in the history of the event, was the harbinger of the progress that would be achieved not only by the Empire, but by its allies in the said organization.

But the first clouds came in, with the Empire coming under attack on its online assets, though rays of sunlight still permeated those first clouds during the birthday celebrations of the Sovereign of Karnia-Ruthenia. Plots would spring up everywhere, such as a famous and notorious coup forger trying to get back to the Empire under false pretenses.

Despite the approaching storm, it was through GISH 2022 that the philanthropic organization recognized Oscar I, through his activities, as a de facto aristocratic sovereign – marked with the contribution of His Imperial Majesty in favor of Ukrainian refugees.

Already traditional in the Empire, personal meetings also took place on the social agenda of the Court. On two occasions, the Emperor encountered Prince von und zu Hochbach, Palatine of the Court of Justice and his companion, Count Szentmária, Minister of Culture and Hofballmusikdirektor. On the second occasion, the King of Taslavia accidentally made himself present.

While August ended its days with the strengthening of friendships between its citizens, externally their friendships were also strengthened since the beginning of September, with the Emperor being invited to be the godfather of Princess Adda of Quinta Velha. The ruling families of Karnia-Ruthenia and Quinta Velha deepened their bonds of friendship throughout 2022.

Diplomatic disasters involving xenophobia against Brazilians permeated the month of October, leading to a new restructuring of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and suspending for the first time in history the recognition of new micronations for an indefinite period.

At the end of this tumultuous month, the proposal presented by the Empire to hold micronational governments accountable for prejudiced speeches to the members of the Conference of Santiago, while internally, after the longest term in the history of the head of government, Margrave Callahan assumed the second most important political post in the Nation, the second American-born to take office.

Reforms that brought in greater elements from Delvera and Occidia also took place, strengthened by the rise of Dylan Callahan to the head of the imperial government. And by all accounts, this is just the beginning of a strong Pan-American movement conceived jointly by the heads of government and state of Karnia-Ruthenia.

In November, the Queen of Pannonia visited the Emperor at Hofbau for a few days in time for the Foundation Day celebrations. During this period, family events took the imperial agenda, but there was room for the creation not only of new diplomatic channels, but also of productive friendships.

This attention to the people and political groups closest to the imperial power also led to the Treaty of Mazza, which established the Goëtzën Monarchy, a political association for joint action by the monarchs of the Imperial House on foreign thrones, namely, Karnia-Ruthenia, Taslavia and Pannonia. In addition to the political issue, they reinstituted the Order of the Three Golden Fleeces founded by Napoleon in 1809 and resolved dynastic issues that resulted in the recognition of dozens of new archdukes – without inheritance rights.

In the second half of the year, the Empire would leave behind its representation in Asia with the extinction of the State of Guwati and the transfer of Cardonia. However, the Empire’s manifest destiny is evolution, so negotiations with Cheskgariya-Litvania and Greater Islip produced the Treaty of Usgarn, which once passed – presumably in January 2023 – will yield Oscar I a new throne, in a new way. new micronation in the United States, in addition to the prediction of expansion of the Empire in the Italian Peninsula.

With the government in recess and the Christmas Message released, the end of the year is slowly approaching, a little eclipsed by the death of Benedict XVI and by the rain, which now covers the lands of Persenburg, capital of the Karno-Ruthenian Empire.

While it recognized Dracul and fought against the negative campaigns headed by supposed micronationalists in Brazil, the Empire entered the month of February armed with activity. The Imperial Diet continued with the necessary adjustments to accommodate the new members of the nation, while the Empire was considered extravagant by the specialized media, something considered very adequate by the Karno-Ruthenians.

Glowing decorations from Taslavia, Vishwamitra, Achsen, Queensland, Columbia and Sildavia were received by members of the Imperial Family and other distinguished citizens. The state became less self-referential to dynasties with the elimination of royal birthdays as holidays while discussing the continuation of the Imperial Circle as a tool of outside influence, which would later be abolished.

Lucas Othonsen, the Hofpfalzgraf perfected the execution of the “official portraits” – montages of illustrious figures in typical clothing and uniforms, yielding good laughs and true works of art that have the affection of the nation. But not everything would be reduced to art and laughter: the Ukrainian War would begin and citizens of the Empire would find themselves on opposite sides. As of the date of this writing (01 August 2022), it has not been possible to contact Ukrainian and Russian citizens, wishing them to be safe and well.

The Empire did not remain silent in the face of the war, but was receptive to being a host nation. Citizens of the Empire served and risked for the good of humanity and effectively helped. Interestingly, it was two citizens of Italian origin, Baron Pillonetto di Treviso and Mr. Davide Della Lena, who work in civilian humanitarian aid forces, honored the Empire with a small but vital role in consolidating protection for the weakest in the face of the horrors of war.

In March, the Kaiserliche Reichpost was created, the Imperial Mail and the official issuing body for the first official series of postage stamps, while K.R.O.S.A., the Karno-Ruthenian Observatory and Space Agency implemented the Mission Orion, taking the name of the Empire aboard of Artemis I, the first uncrewed flight test of the Space Lunch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft.

The State of Guwati was ceded by Vishwamitra to the Empire, the Hofbau, seat of the monarchy, was left for a short period for interior renovations and in these news of several happenings, the loss: Prince João of Noronha, the notorious Brazilian micronationalist, died. The Emperor-King was one of the first to be informed and his death affected the entire micronational community. A week later, the Conference of Santiago would complete another year of existence, but the date was eclipsed by mourning. The Emperor made a speech in a solemn session of the Historical and Geographical Institute of Mauritia in honor of the deceased friend and member of the Conference.

In the days that followed, religious events were attended by the emperor, an intervention was carried out in the Duchy of Libertia and the Imperial Diet continued with its work and already in April it was one of the most active legislatures in national history. But diplomacy would claim the greatest attention: the Treaty of Ambé was signed on 18 April 2022 with the State of Xingu, which for the following months would be a protectorate of the Empire. The treaty caused strong reactions on the part of a clique of pseudo-micronationalists who claim as “micronations” almost the entire territory of Brazil – and giving rise to the Manifesto for the Truth, which ended up clarifying the situation along manifests from Quinta Velha, Sildavia and others.

For the following month, the works of the Empire would continue to be the target of recognition converted into prestige, either by granting honors to citizens of the Empire for their contributions to micronationalism, or by cataloging the Empire and its symbols by the important Micro Flag Archive, a reference in the preservation of history of the symbols of micronations.

And history, with eight years of existence, needed to organize its historiography. To this end, the Duke of Saena took over the newly created Office of the Prince-Rector of the Imperial Archives, formally assuming the post that had already been informally assigned to him: that of the greatest historian of the Empire.

In June, the Emperor attended the first micronational event in Asia in years, remotely: the inauguration of the President of the Free Rendonese State, an occasion where he could show respect and friendship to the sworn president, Mr. Rey Jr. Mancio. Along with Vishwamitra, the two micronations are exponents of the typical courtesy of Asian micronationalists, in obvious contrast to some of their peers less accustomed to the dignity expected of a head of state. In this contrast, they emerge strengthened and respected by western micronations.

With the preponderance of foreign affairs by the imperial government, it would not take long for its most immediate allies, the Kingdom of Ebenthal and the Kingdom of Quinta Velha, to envision a formal alliance: the Treaty of Altenburg. The approach, however, would come the following month in a solemn way.

But there were still tensions in the air. Several attempts to invade the Empire’s digital property were present throughout the first half of the year, with Brazilian and European micronationalists taking part in the attacks against the Empire. But not limited to that, other aggressions were verified, such as the racist statements of the Romanian micronationalist behind the “Snagovian Federation”, which had severed relations with the Empire and was expelled from the Uhlan Regiment and other honors previously conferred.

With respect for diversity and admiration for its professional conduct, the Empire would once again be a reference in foreign policy among the world’s micronations, and would receive one of its first imports of typical micronational art in June: a typical Azulejo Quintavelhense, decorated in Art Nouveau style with the imperial eagle in the center.

On 29 June, a second micronational event in Asia took place among the members of the Conference of Santiago organized in Vishwamitra and representing a great triumph of the Rashtradhyaksh of Vishwamitra, uniting micronationalists from three continents in favor of the good micronational practice.

July would begin with the Empire adopting a new currency, the Vereinsmark – the Union Mark, backed by copper and relying on the expertise developed in Delvera and Occidia to manage the national economy.

But imperial expertise would still be the presence in foreign affairs: Karnia-Ruthenia was represented by the Emperor at an event held at the Academy of Literature of São Paulo to welcome the president of Hungary, Mrs. Katalin Novak, in the presence of several Hugarian and Brazilian politicians. In the same week, the Emperor would attend the funeral of Dom Luiz of Orléans and Braganza, Emperor de jure of Brazil. In the solemnities in which he was accompanied by Prince von und zu Hochbach and were the sole representants of micronationalism, were presents several members of the Brazilian Imperial House and also Archduke Lorenzo of Austria-Este, Princess Maria Isabella of Savoia-Genoa and Princess Maria Cristina of Savoia-Aosta, the princes Casimiro, Alessandro, Luis and Elena of the Two Sicilies, Prince Gundakar of Liechtenstein, Prince Michel de Ligne and Duke Peter of Oldenburg, among other royalty.

On 23 July, the Empire would restore the Kingdom of Ameroslavia with Archduke Ari on the throne. The bold initiative that transformed a foreign property of the imperial family into a new micronation would only be legitimized the following week, with the recognition of the founder of Ameroslavia, Lenart of Ameroslavia. The imperial dynasty now has rulers over Ameroslavia, Karnia-Ruthenia, and Taslavia. Archduke Ari, former King of Ruthenia, once again occupy a throne.

What the future will bring to the Empire is uncertain, but known to be grandiose: Karnia-Ruthenia has never limited itself to the ordinary and has always dared to innovate with respect to traditions, being anachronistically modern, and presently nostalgic, at the same time.