Free Republic of Libernesia
Free Republic of Libernesia | |
|---|---|
 Flag
 Coat of arms
| |
| Motto: "Free the People!" | |
| Anthem: Hall of Fame | |
 Territory of Libernesia | |
| Status | Active |
| Capital | Libercamp |
| Official languages | English (for all legal documents) |
| Recognised national languages | English |
| Religion | diverse |
| Demonym(s) | Libernesian |
| Government | Constitutional republic |
| Independence | |
• Established | 20 July 2022 |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.1 km2 (0.039 sq mi) |
| Currency | Bitcoin |
| Date format | mm/dd/yyyy |
| Driving side | right |
Website https://libernesia.org | |
The Free Republic of Libernesia, more commonly known as Libernesia, is a micronation claiming an uninhabited parcel of land on the western bank of the Danube, between Croatia and Serbia. It was proclaimed on July 20, 2022 by a Romanian entrepreneur.
Libernesia is founded on principles of liberty and in favor of a very limited (if any) government that deals exclusively with diplomatic issues and advocates for the development of laws under private institutions.
The micronation came into existence as a response to the rapid slide towards authoritarianism, overregulation, increasing tax burden and inflation all around the world during the coronavirus pandemic.
Etymology
From "liber" (denoting liberty) and "nesos" (Greek for island). Libernesia, therefore, metaphorically refers to a free island or a group of free islands, symbolizing islands or enclaves of freedom.
History
Libernesia was proclaimed on July 20, 2022, primarily acting as a virtual country offering e-residency for online entrepreneurs, freelancers and digital nomads. The first version of the official website was launched on the same day and allowed supporters to join the cause. The website offered a brief presentation of the country and a short constitution that only contained 7 articles, covering the rights to voluntary trade, the limited nature of the government and banning the initiation of force.
Territories
The heart of Libernesia is a small strip of land between Croatia and Serbia along the Danube. This land is part of a few small parcels that came into existence due to a border dispute between the two countries. For years, none of these areas was claimed by Croatia, Serbia, nor any other nation or private entity, effectively making them terra nullius, or a no man’s land.
On 13 April 2015, Vít Jedlička from the Czech Party of Free Citizens proclaimed the right-libertarian micronation of Liberland on Gornja Siga, raising awareness towards this unique situation and starting a race for many existing or brand new micronations to claim these territories.
Many claims exist for all of these "pockets", most of them overlapping, but none of the micronations managed to attract any significant awareness, establish recognition, nor a permanent population.
On July 20, 2022, Libernesia symbolically claimed one of the smallest of these pockets. The total surface of this parcel is just 10 hectares, making Libernesia the smallest state in the world, even smaller than Vatican, although smaller micronations do exist.
One additional farmland territory near Dolj county, Romania, was later added by the president.
Culture
"Libernesia was born on a boat", the legend goes. The water sports culture in Libernesia is one of the most vibrant and exciting feature of this country, home to some of the best small-scale river festivals in the world, which attract visitors from all over the globe.
Water Sports
Speedboating, wakeboarding, kayaking, canoeing are pretty common with Libernesian supporters.
Camping
In order to experience freedom, supporters of Libernesia often take boat trips to uninhabited lands in the Danube area that are only accessible by boat. Camping, bonfires and live acoustic music are a big part of the culture.
Foreign Relations
Since its inception, Libernesia has been building diplomatic relations with other nations around the world for mutual aid and recognition. Libernesia also pioneered the "Critical Communications Channel" between allied micronations in order to quickly raise awareness and popular support in the event of national security issues.
Libernesia's international recognition comes in two forms:
- Full recognition (where a treaty of mutual recognition was actually signed)
- De facto recognition (through membership in different alliances)
Below is a list of all nations that have directly recognized Libernesia:
| Name | Date | Current Relation | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Free State of Sabini | August, 14, 2022 | Mutual Recognition |
|
Empire of Essizia | August, 17, 2022 | Mutual Recognition |
|
Kingdom of Liliput | August, 19, 2022 | Mutual Recognition |
|
Democratic Federation Republic of Canited | August, 19, 2022 | Mutual Recognition |
|
Free Nation of New Athens | August, 20, 2022 | Mutual Recognition |
|
Great Shatidom of Aulpannian Nation | August, 23, 2022 | Mutual Recognition |
|
Grand Duchy of Scheinhafen | August, 23, 2022 | Mutual Recognition |
|
Kingdom of Ondovia | November, 15, 2022 | Mutual Recognition |
|
Governorate of Græcia | November, 16, 2022 | Mutual Recognition |
|
Dominion of Vancouver Island | November, 16, 2022 | Mutual Recognition |
|
Sovereign Municipality of Ameristralia | December, 26, 2022 | Mutual Recognition |
Libernesia also enjoys de facto recognition from all members of the following organization:
| Name | Date | Active | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Balkan League of Micronations | December, 4, 2022 | Yes |