Obscurium
Obscurium or the United Republic of Obscurium is a micronation whose activities take place in northern Germany, although citizens come from all around the world and no territory is claimed. It holds a libertarian view of government, and claims no actual physical territory.
Obscurium is against large useless militaries. The Non-Armed Forces merely exist to conduct parades and explorations.
History
Obscurium was founded by Zar Antonov on the 3rd of March 2018 as the "United People's Republic of Mars" (UPRoM), with the ambitious goal of establishing a communist state on Mars. However, after a year of stagnation and no advancements whatsoever, the UPRoM was renamed to the "United Republic of Obscurium" on the 29th of April 2019 and renounced its claims to Mars. During the same month, the Green Garden Territory was acquired, providing Obscurium with a physical Territory which was soon referred to as "Obscurium proper." The territory received much attention in the form of land management projects (including a potato field), the construction of a chapel, several monuments and road signs. It was also the site of archaeological excavations, which unearthed ancient artefacts and sightings of the infamous Greenhouse Spectre. On the 26th of November 2021 Obscurium also relinquished all its claims over the Green Garden Territory.
On 25 June 2022, Obscurium and Ductionary hosted Micro Euro Summit 2022 in Chyše, Czechia. The summit was attended by 5 micronations with a second summit taking place on the 15th of July 2023 in the same location. It also saw the signing of the Chyše Charter, a document promoting honesty and professional conduct among micronations and the differentiation between micronations and similar but hostile entities.
During the same summer, the President also visited the micronations of Christiania, Royal Republic of Ladonia, Edristan, Duckionary, The Sohnland, New Strathclyde, held a virtual state visit to Dracul and a visited the Seborga Consulate in Munich. The last visit was conducted along with Arthur of Duckionary and marked an important moment in micronational history, as Seborga had never before conducted a meeting with other micronations.
On the 5 March 2023 Obscurium celebrated its 5th Declaration Day, with in person attendees from Duckionary, Belakray and Obscurium and digital appearances by representatives of Pibocip, the Bavarian Democratic Republic, and Atlia. Obscurium’s largest ever parade (4 people) was conducted on that day and followed by speeches by the aforementioned delegations and a diplomatic dinner.
Over the course of the year 2023, Obscurium also released 13 more stamp issues, including some joint intermicronational stamp issues, the first of which was released at the Micro Euro Summit 2023, together with Duckionary. A drawing contest in June was also used to create a new stamp design and to encourage art and creativity among the Citizens.
National symbols
The Flag of Obscurium consists of a black field (for the Night Sky and Space) with one blue stripe at the top and the bottom (for the day sky), a green stripe running through the middle (for the land) ,The (White) All Seeing Eye located over the green stripe in the left half of the flag and the big dipper located next to it. On ships of the Red Trident this flag will be used as the Naval Jack. This flag is also used as the Civil Ensign.
Many of Obscurium's national holidays celebrate significant events in the history of space exploration.
International diplomacy
The President of Obscurium, Zar Antonov, has conducted extensive diplomatic outreach. His Excellency attended MicroCon 2019 in Hamilton, Ontario, where he met and conversed with Grand Duke Travis.
President Antonov attended MicroCon EU 2023 in Ypres, Belgium. During this event, he was honored as a knight in the Order of the Polar Cross.