MicroCon 2023

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Knights and dames of the Ladonian Order of the Hesperides at MicroCon 2023 gala ball.

MicroCon 2023 was an intermicronational event hosted by the Royal Republic of Ladonia during the summer of 2023. It was the fifth event to occur under the MicroCon banner. The main conference was held in Joliet, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, during the weekend of July 1st.

MicroCon 2023 was attended by 133 delegates representing 42 countries, making this the largest gathering of micronationalists ever held in the entire world.

A companion event, MicroCon EU 2023, was held during the weekend of August 11 in Ypres, Belgium, co-hosted by the Grand Duchy of Flandrensis.

Background

During the presentation portion of MicroCon 2022, Queen Carolyn of Ladonia announced that she had won the bid to host the next MicroCon and that some of the planning had already begun. The decision was made by the MicroCon Committee to adjust the date of the conference to 2023 to return to odd-numbered years. MicroCon 2021 was delayed for one year due to the impact of Covid-19.

On 27 September 2022, Emperor Andrew of the Empire of Stomaria released a video criticizing the attendees of MicroCon and stating he had no intention of attending MicroCon 2023 because it's beneath his dignity.

Westarctica's participation

Westarctica's delegation to MicroCon 2023

Westarctica sent a five person delegation led by Grand Duke Travis to MicroCon 2023 in Joliet. Additionally, His Royal Highness is scheduled to give a speech on interactions with the press with President Kevin Baugh of Molossia during the conference in Ypres, Belgium.

The full Joliet delegation consisted of:

Pre-conference activities

On Thursday night before the conference, there was a casual welcome reception for the delegates at Burger Theory restaurant inside the event venue. Attendees enjoyed food and drinks while participating in a Micronational Trivia game hosted by Commodore Jonathan Miller of Molossia. The team from Molossia won first place in the event while Westarctica's team took second place.

The following morning, around 20 delegates competed in the Nemean Games, hosted by the Micronational Olympic Federation and led by Matthew Salzer from Ladonia. The Count of Faulkender swept the senior's division, winning every event in his class. Once again, the team from Molossia won the bulk of the gold medals at the games.

That evening, Queen Carolyn of Ladonia hosted a formal diplomatic reception at her residence. Attendees had the opportunity to mingle with one another and discuss diplomacy, politics, and the future of micronationalism.

Main conference

Display table of the Empire of Karnia-Ruthenia at MicroCon 2023.

On Saturday, 1 July 2023, at 9:00am, the main conference began. Delegations had their table displays set up in a hallway outside the conference room, while over 100 micronationalists and members of the press listened to speeches on various topics of micronational importance. In between the featured speakers, delegate leaders had the opportunity to give a short five minute presentation about their own micronation. During this time, Grand Duke Travis shared a brief history of Westarctica and explained its mission as a nonprofit organization as well as its status as a new country project.

At 4:00pm, the main conference was concluded and attendees began to distribute awards to one another before the room was converted to a banquet hall at 4:30pm.

Gala ball

In the evening following the conference, the delegations dressed in their most formal attire and attended a gala ball complete with a three course meal. During the gala, several major awards were handed out, including two inductees to the Micronational Hall of Excellence: Queen Carolyn of Ladonia and Queen Anastasia of Ruritania. Also, King George II of Slabovia bestowed a special honorary patch upon the few micronational leaders who have attended very MicroCon to date.

During the gala, it was announced that MicroCon 2025 would take place in Montreal, Canada and would be hosted by the Aerican Empire, the Principality of Sancratosia, and the Newgraviate of Saint-Castin.

The awards ceremony was followed by a night of dancing and festive celebration by the delegates.

Post-conference events

On the Sunday after the conference had concluded, delegates put on their bowling shoes and joined one another for an afternoon of fun at the bowling alley. The scores were tallied as part of the Nemean Games, but none of Westarctica's bowlers scored high enough to earn any medals or special recognition.

On 30 August 2023, two months after the conclusion of MicroCon 2023, The Boston Globe published an article about the event and its attendees. This was written by PhD candidate Robert Motum, who had attended multiple MicroCons.

Attending Nations

The event was attended by a total of 42 micronations. This is a partial list of delegations:

Nation Delegation Size
link={{{2}}} Westarctica 5
link={{{2}}} Ladonia 9
link={{{2}}} Pibocip 2
link={{{2}}} West Who 2
link={{{2}}} Beatus Cras 2
link={{{2}}} Principality of Aigues-Mortes 2
link={{{2}}} Slabovia 6
link={{{2}}} Republic of Molossia 4
link={{{2}}} Republic of Slowjamastan 9
link={{{2}}} Kingdom of Ruritania 1
link={{{2}}} Principality of Sancratosia 1
link={{{2}}} Empire of Karnia-Ruthenia 7
link={{{2}}} Grand Republic of Moontonia 3
link={{{2}}} Terra Excelsior Republic 4
link={{{2}}} Grand Republic of Cycoldia 1
link={{{2}}} Technocratic Republic of Aethodia 1
link={{{2}}} Kingdom of North Barchant 3
link={{{2}}} Republic of Soundland 2
link={{{2}}} Kingdom of Amethonia 4
link={{{2}}} Kingdom of Pontunia 3
link={{{2}}} Zaqistan 2
link={{{2}}} Aerican Empire 3
link={{{2}}} The Domain and Realms of the Shadows and the Darkness 2
Empire of Kapreburg 3
Pearson Republic 3
Kingdom of Jamestown 2
Kingdom of Eldonia 2
Duck Island 2
Democracy of Maristan 2
Republic of Potatia 2

External links

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