We continue our series on the pioneers of contemporary micronationalism by heading to Australia where the Atlantium Empire founded by Emperor George Cruickshank is located.
George Cruickshank was just 14 years old in 1981 when he created his famous micronation with two of his cousins. Throughout its history, its Empire of Atlantium has followed a progressive and humanist policy. Indeed, in the lands of Emperor George, we advocate international freedom of movement, the right to abortion and assisted suicide, as well as the reform of the decimal calendar.
Suffice it to say that he has not always made friends among certain micronations founded on religious or ultra-liberal principles. It matters little to him, George Cruickshank with his strong character and faithful to his convictions fears no one. Whether these ideas like it or not, the fact remains that his Empire today has more than 3,000 citizens from more than 90 countries. Many would dream of being able to bring together so many under their banners.
The man is especially respected and appreciated in the micro-world for being the organizer of the “Polination” in Sydney in 2010, then in London in 2012 before delegating the hosting of the last “Polination” which took place in 2015 to Gubbio in Italy. These early gatherings were considered the first true academic conferences on micronationalism. Indeed, Polination sought to change the public's vision of micronations, because often perceived as utopian and eccentric, this conference made it possible to provide serious content on their societal potential. Since then, the Americans have taken over with the MicroCon under the leadership of Kevin Baugh. In Europe, the Microfrancophonie and the Germanic Micro-Euro-Summit occupied the space.
George Cruickshank's contribution to micronationalism is therefore significant. Unfortunately, he found himself forced to cancel a revival of "Polination" which was planned with a return near Sydney in 2024. His Facebook group brings together a large number of micronationalists and remains "a place to be" despite competition growing among young people with the development of new networks such as Discord and Instagram.
You can visit the Atlantium Empire located in South Wales, a four-hour drive from Sydney. The place is now offered as an r’bnb. There you will discover the one and only pyramid ever built in Oceania. Who knows if in two thousand years, the monument will experience the same success as those in Egypt to make him the first great pharaoh of micronationalism.
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