Culture Still Growing

Issue 24

Talk of the Square

The Kingdom Library continues to grow in size and amount of works contained. Tasneem Chowdhury and Carson Smith of Lavalon have both submitted essay collections to the Library. After years of a phantom existance due to technological limitations, the Natopabet, has been redesigned for computer and widespread usage and a pamphlet including a history of its development and a full translation from the Latin alphabet to the Natopian alphabet, including a supplement including a translation of Natopian numerals from the Arabic. Following in the wake of the Poetry Corner, the Sherry Lochhaas Fine Arts Center has opened as a subdivision of the Kingdom Library system. Current works include a sculpture-in-the-round of Baroness Sherry's sister, by the Baroness; and studies in graphic design by the King and Count Joel in the form of logos and banners of their band, Social Outcasts.

The King will soon be broadcasting a radio show once he can secure a podcasting host. The Natopian News Network has been set up as a subsidiary company of the King's personal business, Dingo Enterprises. NNN will broadcast the show "Eye on Natopia" hosted by the King and it intended to focus on a single issue per program or to shed light on more intimate aspects of Natopia. Further programs are in development including simple music shows with DJs and a radio talk show for macronational issues.

Also in business news, widgets have begun production again. The odd, chief-Natopian-export and novelty, have not been sold in Natopia for months. Widgets have no purpose, but they are hot sellers because some Natopians believe them to be a show of power and wealth.

Vista del Chisme

A Royal Decree (RD 43) was issued by the King on September 11 that codified the official Natopian Weekend to include Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and to the surprise of some, Thursday as well.

In foreign affairs, Natopia has opened relations and signed a treaty with the new nation of the Free State of Mabon. Chief Relations Officer Olorix of Antica also inquired about a treaty between Natopia and the Republic of Antica which is expected to be ratified by both sides very soon. Natopia was granted its largest MCS map expansion ever by successfully claiming the Island of Negril off the coast of Tasneemia. Negril will remain under direct Imperial control as a land reserve for any future Demesnes of Natopia.

King Nathan established the Ministry of Silly Walks on September 13. The Ministry will, at certain times, allocate government grants to those who can describe exceptional silly walks, or demonstrate a desperate need for funding to develop theirs further. According to the ever-amusing word scuttlebut, this Ministry is simply intended to hand money out to citizens so that they have start-up money to, in the very least, buy widgets.

The Grand Consul's Chair

The following Bills have been added to the Royal Code:
Royal Code Distribution: Mandates electronic and physical distribution and display of the Royal Code in actual territory claimed by Natopia.
Adoption Rights: Ensures same-sex and non-married couples are given the same treatment as "traditional" families when applying for adoption. Codifies ethical procedures in the adoption agency industry.

The following Bills are still in debate:
Holiday Bill: Establishes national holidays and dates of importance.
Amendment to Section 16: Raising quorum from 4 to 5 nobles. Bills will now enter debate when proposed rather than requiring a second.
Ambassadorial Compensation Bill: To pay ambassadors when they file a diplomatic report and to reward ambassadors who can maintain posts to muliple nations.

Natopian Renaissance

Talk of the Square

On September 1, the Kingdom Library was transformed from the stuffy archives of Natopia to the proposed center of Natopian culture. The King donated a large number of personal essays to the Library to stimulate culture and literature. A Poetry Corner has been established within the Library by Lord Joel of Punkrock to display poems and songs by Natopians. The King has plans that have not been made public that include an art gallery where he intends to scan drawings of his own and other Natopians, or take photographs of three dimensional pieces and display these works in an official gallery. It is hoped that the establishment of this "cultural infrastructure," as well as known and assumed insterest of Natopians, that these acts will be seen by posterity as a Natopian Renaissance of sorts.

Two foreign businesses have set up in Natopia in the same week. Followed by the Anthelian Alternative Media Company, the Gotzborg Konigreich Reichlau Shiffbau was established. This is the first foreign branch to be established outside of Gotzborg and will greatly expand KRS's production with a large shipyard under construction in Lindstrom City, and a smaller shipyard in construction at Hazelwood. The government has publically expressed interest in purchasing KRS's newest model, a customizable yacht. Privatly, the government is considering utilizing KRS to fill out the Imperial Natopian Navy.

Vista del Chisme

As per the passage of the Conservation Bill, a new Ministry has been established and put to use immediatly, though not for the purpose it was meant to be created. The Ministry of Natural Resources was established yesterday with Lady Sherry of Lochhaatonia as its Minister. The Imperial Parks Service was immediatly transferred from direct Crown control to Ministry administration. The Imperial Cartography Society, which is responsible for internal actual and virtual maps of the Kingdom, was relocated from its makeshift offices in Kingdom Library to new offices in the Ministry of Natural Resources, though the King will remain the unofficial Cartographer of the Society.

The Grand Consul's Chair

The Conservation Bill, as mentioned aboved, was passed by the Royal Frenzy in what may be a record for any legislative body: 3 minutes. According to forum time, the motion to vote was seconded at 5:57PM and the final vote was cast at 6:00PM, when quorum was met.