MicroCon#MicroCon 2019, 2022 and 2023

MicroCon is a biennial convention for micronationalists held since 2015. The event was created by Kevin Baugh, President of the Republic of Molossia.{{sfn|Hobbs|Williams|2021|pp=102, 155}} Micronations are political entities that claim independence and mimic acts of sovereignty as if they were a sovereign state, but lack any legal recognition.{{cite web|last=Sawe|first=Benjamin Elisha|date=25 April 2017|url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-a-micronation.html|title=What Is A Micronation?|series=World Facts|work=World Atlas|access-date=7 July 2023}} Many exist "only on the internet or within the private property of [their] members"{{cite dictionary|title=micronation|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/micronation|dictionary=Collins English Dictionary|publisher=HarperCollins|access-date=7 July 2023}} and seek to simulate a state rather than to achieve international recognition; their activities are almost always trivial enough to be ignored rather than challenged by the established nations whose territory they claim.{{cite web|last=Oeuillet|first=Julien|date=7 December 2015|url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/35805/springtime-of-micronations-spearheaded-by-belgian-grand-duke-niels|title=Springtime of micronations spearheaded by Belgian "Grand-Duke" Niels|work=The Brussels Times|archive-date=13 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113080229/http://www.brusselstimes.com/magazine2/4653/springtime-of-micronations-spearheaded-by-belgian-grand-duke-niels|url-status=live|access-date=7 July 2023}}{{cite thesis|url=https://pure.royalholloway.ac.uk/portal/files/22951152/moreau_thesis_finalsubmission.pdf|last=Moreau|first=Terri Ann|year=2014|title=Subversive Sovereignty: Parodic Representations of Micropatrias Enclaved by the United Kingdom|publisher=University of London|page=138|access-date=7 July 2023}} MicroCon is a significant event in the micronational community.{{sfn|Hobbs|Williams|2021|p=214}} A venue for exchanging ideas between micronationalists, MicroCon has been compared to a summit and dubbed the micronational equivalent of a session of the assembly of the United Nations.{{cite news|last=Simon|first=Johnny|date=31 March 2018|url=https://qz.com/1196022/photos-the-leaders-control-some-of-the-small-nations-in-the-world|title=Meet the leaders of the world's imaginary nations|work=Quartz|access-date=7 July 2023}}

The first edition of MicroCon commenced on April 11, 2015 at the Anaheim Central Library in Anaheim, California. The event was organised and hosted by Baugh.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/molossia-and-vikesland-leaders-of-fake-nations-gather-in-l-a/|title=Molossia and Vikesland? Leaders of (fake) nations gather in L.A.|date=10 April 2015|work=CBS News|access-date=7 July 2023}}{{cite news|last=Neuman|first=Scott|date=10 April 2015|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/04/10/398757610/molossia-heads-up-big-micronation-summit-in-california|title=Tiny Territories Mingle At MicroCon; Passports Optional|work=NPR|access-date=7 July 2023}} Ongoings at the convention included presentations by attendees, a formal ball, and a trip to the nearby Disneyland.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/microcon-2015-dictators-of-the-world-unite-at-world-summit-of-micronations--countries-too-small-to-count-10174346.html|last=Usborne|first=Simon|date=13 April 2015|title=MicroCon 2015: Dictators of the world unite at world summit of micronations - countries too small to count|work=The Independent|url-access=subscription|access-date=7 July 2023}} Various tables in the public rec room at the library displayed micronational regalia. Attendees were allowed to host presentations between 10–15 minutes long on their micronation or any micronational topic of their choosing; a laptop was provided and attendees hosting presentations were allowed to bring a compact disc or flash drive with their presentation material. One presentation included a choreographed battle performed by the nonprofit Lamia Knights of the Kingdom of Shiloh. A keynote address by micropatriologist Steven F. Scharff was delivered to the conference via YouTube.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-30/the-weird-wild-world-of-micronations-where-anybody-can-be-king|last=Parker|first=Jennifer|date=30 April 2015|title=The Weird, Wild World of Micro-Nations Where Anybody Can Be King|work=Bloomberg News|access-date=7 July 2023}} The ball held at the end of the convention, the MicroCon Cotillion, was semi-formal and commenced at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Anaheim.{{cite web|url=http://www.molossia.org/microcon/microcon2015.html|title=MicroCon 2015|type=Official website|website=Republic of Molossia|access-date=7 July 2023}} Sources for the number of attendees varies;{{efn|The Independent reports an attendance of "more than 50 delegates".}} though Bloomberg News, citing MicroCon 2015's official website, lists 36 attendees representing 17 micronations.

MicroCon 2017 commenced between June 23–25 in Reid H. Cofer Library at Tucker, DeKalb County, Georgia, and was attended by "more than 70 delegates"{{cite news|last=Buckner|first=Heather|date=30 June 2017|url=https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/probably-didnt-know-leaders-26-micronations-just-gathered-atlanta/|title=You probably didn't know, but leaders from 26 micronations just gathered in Atlanta|work=Atlanta|access-date=7 July 2023}} representing 26 micronations.{{efn|MicroCon 2017's official website and Atlanta state 26 micronations,{{cite web|url=http://www.molossia.org/microcon/microcon2017.html|title=MicroCon 2017|type=Official website|website=Republic of Molossia|access-date=7 July 2023}} whereas Georgia Public Broadcasting and Vice News report 27 micronations.}} Hosted by Queen Anastasia von Rubenroth of the Kingdom of Ruritania, events included sightseeing in Atlanta, bowling, a gala dinner, diplomatic conference, exchanging of micronational awards and presentations on micronationalism.{{cite AV media|url=https://video.vice.com/en_us/video/the-gathering-of-micronations/594af9bf1cb432a106c430ed|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925040208/https://video.vice.com/en_us/video/the-gathering-of-micronations/594af9bf1cb432a106c430ed|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 25, 2017|title=The gathering of micronations|type=Documentary|work=Vice News Tonight|publisher=Vice News|date=3 August 2017|access-date=7 July 2023}} Much of June 24 was spent on these presentations hosted on PowerPoint, ranging from jocular to academic in focus. Attendees dressed in full royal and military regalia: "in pearls and kitten heels, electric blue sailor suits, glitter-coated boots, and capes." Vice News produced a short documentary on the convention.{{cite news|url=https://www.gpb.org/news/2017/08/28/on-second-thought-for-monday-august-28-2017|last=Headlee|first=Celeste|date=28 August 2017|title=On Second Thought For Monday, August 28, 2017|publisher=Georgia Public Broadcasting|access-date=7 July 2023}}

File:MicroWiki at MicroCon 2023 in Ypres.jpg and Westarctica]]

MicroCon 2019 commenced between July 19–21 in Hamilton, Canada, and included a gala dinner and laser tag tournament. It was hosted by the United Slabovian Empire.{{sfn|Hobbs|Williams|2021|p=155}}{{cite web|url=https://www.microcon2019.com/schedule.html|title=Schedule|type=Official website|website=MicroCon 2019|publisher=United Slabovian Empire|access-date=7 July 2023}} The summit had 113 attendees representing 43 micronations, including two unaffiliated with any micronation.{{cite web|url=https://www.microcon2019.com/attendees.html|title=Attendees|type=Official website|website=MicroCon 2019|publisher=United Slabovian Empire|access-date=7 July 2023}} MicroCon 2022, delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, took place between 4–7 August in Las Vegas, Nevada and saw 100 attendees representing 30 micronations.{{cite web|url=https://www.microcon2022.com/|title=MicroCon 2022|type=Official website|website=MicroCon 2022|publisher=Westarctica|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129013949/https://www.microcon2022.com/|archive-date=29 November 2022|url-status=dead|access-date=7 July 2023}} It was hosted by the Grand Duchy of Westarctica.{{cite web|url=https://www.microcon2022.com/host|title=Host|type=Official website|website=MicroCon 2022|publisher=Westarctica|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209224535/https://www.microcon2022.com/host|archive-date=9 December 2022|url-status=dead|access-date=7 July 2023}}

MicroCon 2023 consisted of two separate events; the first American summit occurred between June 30–July 2 in Joliet, Illinois, and received 110 delegates from 42 micronations, 132 attendees in total.{{cite web|url=https://microcon2023.com/microcon-chicago/registered-delegations-chicago/|title=MicroCon 2023 Registered Delegations|type=Official website|website=MicroCon 2023|publisher=Royal Republic of Ladonia|access-date=27 May 2024}} The second event commenced on August 12 in Ypres, Belgium, and received 68 attendees from 25 micronations. The Royal Republic of Ladonia hosted both summits, the second alongside the Grand Duchy of Flandrensis.{{cite web|first=John|last=Landecker|url=https://wgnradio.com/john-landecker/microcon-comes-to-joliet-hosted-by-the-queen-of-ladonia/|date=22 June 2023|title=MicroCon comes to Joliet hosted by the Queen of Ladonia|publisher=WGN Radio|access-date=7 July 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://microcon2023.com/microcon-chicago/|title=MicroCon 2023|type=Official website|website=MicroCon 2023|publisher=Royal Republic of Ladonia|access-date=7 July 2023}} The conference in Joliet featured another formal gala, diplomatic reception, a questions and answers session and a micronation show and tell.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jul/23/slowjamastan-micronation-california-desert|last=Ulrich|first=Amanda|date=23 July 2023|title=Welcome to Slowjamastan! The desert micronation with no Crocs and no taxes|work=The Guardian|access-date=3 October 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/08/30/opinion/micronations-microcon/|last=Motum|first=Robert|date=30 August 2023|title=Westarctica, Sancratosia, Slowjamastan, and other fake nations may have some things to teach real ones|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=3 October 2023}}

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{{Location map many |North America

|caption = Location of North American MicroCon summits

| width = 280

| float = right

| label = 2015

| marksize =

| pos = left

| coordinates = {{coord|33|50|10|N|117|53|23|W}}

| label2 = 2017

| mark2size =

| pos2 = right

| coordinates2 = {{coord|33|51|6|N|84|13|17|W}}

| label3 = 2019

| mark3size =

| pos3 = top

| coordinates3 = {{coord|43|15|24|N|79|52|09|W}}

| label4 = 2022

| mark4size =

| pos4 = top

| coordinates4 = {{coord|36|10|30|N|115|08|11|W}}

| label5 = 2023

| mark5size =

| pos5 = left

| coordinates5 = {{coord|41|31|47|N|88|04|22|W}}

| label6 = 2025

| mark6size =

| pos6 = left

| coordinates6 = {{coord|45|30|32|N|73|33|15|W}}

}}

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{{Location map many |Europe

|caption = Location of European MicroCon summits

| width = 280

| float = right

| label = 2023

| marksize =

| pos = top

| mark = Purple_pog.svg

| coordinates = {{coord|50|51|03|N|02|53|06|E}}

}}

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• PoliNation – another recurring micronational summit

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References that are cited to the official websites of MicroCon:

{{reflist|group=MC}}

• {{cite book|first1=Harry|last1=Hobbs|last2=Williams|first2=George|author1-link=Harry Hobbs|author2-link=George Williams (lawyer)|title=Micronations and the Search for Sovereignty|year=2021|series=Cambridge Studies in Constitutional Law|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-00915-0-125|doi=10.1017/9781009150132.001|s2cid=245459675}}

• {{official}}
• [https://microconcom.com/ MicroCon Committee website]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMqYItBftto MicroCon 2022 Presentations] at YouTube

{{Micronations}}

Category:Micronational culture

Category:Biennial events

Category:Recurring events established in 2015