Baron Dave Romm ([info]barondave) wrote,
@ 2006-02-06 06:53:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Yes, I'm a real baron of a fake country
[info]brithistorian asked about Our Noble rank. We've moved the response here since many of our Friends may be interested; if not, please feign import and perhaps delight. We are pleased.

The country of Ladonia is a small (1 km sq) at the southern tip of Sweden. Short story of a micro-country: Sweden wouldn't let Lars Vilks, an artist, build his large pieces in their country. Too late, they were built, and rather than take them down he declared the area a sovereign country. They are still engaged in legal battles going back to 1980. Interestingly, one of the crew on the Endeavour, the ship We engaged to Antarctica, lives just a few miles from there. He was amazed We even heard of the place, and was further croggled to find out We were a Noble. He invited Our Royal Self to visit. We shall check Our schedule.

We first found out about Ladonia when most people did: A few months after 9/11, when several thousand Pakistanis applies for citizenship to escape the Afghan war (failing to read the part about no immigration or jobs), the story made CNN. I applied for "citizenship" and went so far as to become a Baron, allowing Us to use the royal "We". We're listed in the Nobles of Ladonia. We have a certificate and everything. Framed.

The proper address for a Noble of Our rank is "Sir" or "Your Lordship", but since none of you reside in Our barony, you are excused from the formal greeting. We produced a tract that was handed out at Marscon 2004, containing a more detailed history and pictures.

The motto that will grace our herald: Ad Astra, Per Aspera!

Anyone is invited to apply for citizenship of Ladonia. Citizenship is free and easy. Becoming a Noble is harder, but not much.


(Post a new comment)


[info]supergee
2006-02-06 02:18 pm UTC (link)
My doctor of divinity degree cost $25. Is your title comparably pricey?

(Reply to this)(Thread)


[info]barondave
2006-02-06 05:23 pm UTC (link)
$12, though We also send Lars a Shockwave CD. He sent back the certificate plus a pin, which We have around here someplace...

(Reply to this)(Parent)


[info]skylarker
2006-02-06 04:15 pm UTC (link)
Ladonia sounds like a fun country. Have you ever actually been there?

(Reply to this)(Thread)


[info]barondave
2006-02-06 05:30 pm UTC (link)
No, but We were close once, in 1973. The place is a major tourist attraction (the park, not necessarily Ladonia or Lars' huge sculptures) and gets about 50,000 visitors a year. Might be fun to visit Magnus (Our Friend from Antarctica) and see the country. But our Duties are pressing here...

(Reply to this)(Parent)

Ladonia
(Anonymous)
2007-01-22 12:30 pm UTC (link)
Greetings, your Lordship, from a fellow citizen of Ladonia! I recently "immigrated" to the fine country, becoming the Minister of Italian Cooking to Her Majesty. Good to know I'm in good company.

Sir Michael

(Reply to this)


Create an Account
Forgot your login?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…