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Difference between revisions of "Grand Duke Nicholas of Flandrensis"
Grand Duke Nicholas of Flandrensis (view source)
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'''Nicholas of Flandrensis''' (aka '''Niels de Saint Gilliens''' and '''Niels Vermeersch''') is the founder and the head of state of the [[Grand Duchy of Flandrensis]]. He is one of the co-founders of the [[Antarctic Micronational Union]] and was elected as its first Secretary-General on 15 January 2010. Well-known for his disapproval toward micronational conflicts and the foundation of the "Union Against Micronational War" he was awarded with three micronational peace-awards. He was known as '''Niels I of Flandrensis''' until August of 2020, when he took the regnal name '''Nicholas'''. | '''Nicholas of Flandrensis''' (aka '''Niels de Saint Gilliens''' and '''Niels Vermeersch''') is the founder and the head of state of the [[Grand Duchy of Flandrensis]]. He is one of the co-founders of the [[Antarctic Micronational Union]] and was elected as its first Secretary-General on 15 January 2010. Well-known for his disapproval toward micronational conflicts and the foundation of the "Union Against Micronational War" he was awarded with three micronational peace-awards. He was known as '''Niels I of Flandrensis''' until August of 2020, when he took the regnal name '''Nicholas'''. | ||
After transforming his micronation, Flandrensis, from a temporary hobby into a serious project, he has been interviewed by (and mentioned in) several international newspapers about Flandrensis and [[micronation]]s in general. | After transforming his micronation, Flandrensis, from a temporary hobby into a serious project, he has been interviewed by (and mentioned in) several international newspapers about Flandrensis and [[micronation]]s in general. In 2022, Grand Duke Nicholas was inducted into the [[Micronational Hall of Excellence]]. | ||
In Westarctica, he holds the [[Peerage of Westarctica|peerage title]] '''Prince of Siple'''. | In Westarctica, he holds the [[Peerage of Westarctica|peerage title]] '''Prince of Siple'''. | ||
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==Micronational influence== | ==Micronational influence== | ||
===Contributions to micronationalism=== | ===Contributions to micronationalism=== | ||
[[File:Flandrensis-stcharlie.jpg|thumb|Grand Duke Neils (bottom left), meeting with members of the Republic of St. Charlie during the 2012 Polination event in London]] | [[File:Flandrensis-stcharlie.jpg|400px|thumb|Grand Duke Neils (bottom left), meeting with members of the Republic of St. Charlie during the 2012 Polination event in London]] | ||
Nicholas is considered an expert of [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] micronationalism and an innovator in Belgian micronationalism. As one of the three founding fathers of the first Antarctic micronational organization; GAMA (''Grupo Del Acuerdo Micronational Antartico'') and being its first Secretary-General, he helped transform GAMA into the [[Antarctic Micronational Union]]. During his tenure as Secretary-General, the concept of Antarctic micronationalism and the AMU has been heavily criticized, but he defended the concept and his belief in Antarctic micronationalism. | Nicholas is considered an expert of [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] micronationalism and an innovator in Belgian micronationalism. As one of the three founding fathers of the first Antarctic micronational organization; GAMA (''Grupo Del Acuerdo Micronational Antartico'') and being its first Secretary-General, he helped transform GAMA into the [[Antarctic Micronational Union]]. During his tenure as Secretary-General, the concept of Antarctic micronationalism and the AMU has been heavily criticized, but he defended the concept and his belief in Antarctic micronationalism. | ||
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Learning from his mistakes, Nicholas changed the Flandrensisian policy toward micronational conflicts, resulting in the permanent neutrality of the country. Considering that all wars are a failure of diplomacy, he founded the Union Against Micronational War on 10 July 2009. For his attitude toward micronational conflicts he was awarded with five micronational peace-awards. | Learning from his mistakes, Nicholas changed the Flandrensisian policy toward micronational conflicts, resulting in the permanent neutrality of the country. Considering that all wars are a failure of diplomacy, he founded the Union Against Micronational War on 10 July 2009. For his attitude toward micronational conflicts he was awarded with five micronational peace-awards. | ||
In 2014 the French newspaper ''Le Journal du Dimanche'' called him the “Woodrow Wilson of | In 2014 the French newspaper ''Le Journal du Dimanche'' called him the “Woodrow Wilson of micronationalism." | ||
===Relationship with Westarctica=== | |||
In 2023, at [[MicroCon EU 2023]], Grand Duke Niels met with Grand Duke Travis in Ypres, Belgium. They had the opportunity to exchange awards and enjoy face to face diplomatic talks for the first time after fifteen years of communicating online or through intermediaries. The event was considered a major success and great step forward in the pursuit of micronational peace. | |||
==Personal life== | ==Personal life== | ||
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==Prince of Siple== | ==Prince of Siple== | ||
[[File:Niels Receiving Orca.jpg|400px|thumb|Grand Duke Nicholas receiving the Order of the Orca at MicroCon EU 2023.]] | |||
In 2012, as part of the effort to maintain peace throughout [[Marie Byrd Land|Western Antarctica]], [[Grand Duke Travis]] granted Niels the title Prince of Siple. This gives him authority over [[Siple Island]] and makes him a royal prince in the [[Peerage of Westarctica]]. | In 2012, as part of the effort to maintain peace throughout [[Marie Byrd Land|Western Antarctica]], [[Grand Duke Travis]] granted Niels the title Prince of Siple. This gives him authority over [[Siple Island]] and makes him a royal prince in the [[Peerage of Westarctica]]. | ||