Kingdom of Hortusland
Kingdom of Hortusland Королевство Хортслендъ | |
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 Flag
 Coat of arms
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| Motto: Long live Hortusland! | |
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| Capital | Fedropol |
| Largest city | Prudov |
| Official languages | Russian, Ukrainian, Horts |
| Government | Parliamentary monarchy |
• Monarch | Anna I |
• Prime Minister | Vasily Kormiltsiev |
| Establishment | February 7, 2021 |
| Population | |
• Census | 9 people (October 2023) |
| Currency | hortusland fedr (special status) |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2, UTC+3) |
Hortusland (Horts: Хортслендъ), officially known as the Kingdom of Hortusland, is a virtual state occupying a small territory in Kharkiv region (Ukraine).
Hortusland is a parliamentary monarchy primarily governed by the parliament, which convenes once a year based on the results of parliamentary elections. The actions of the Prime Minister, a lifelong representative of the executive authority personally appointed by the monarch, depend on the decisions of the parliament. Since November 12, 2022, it has been a member of the Convention of Micronational Rights. It is also a micronation within the so-called Horto-Brenz Circle.
Etymology
Hortusland received its name from the merger of two words – Garden (Latin Hortus) and Land (English land) – Hortusland. This version continues to be used in English or in international documents in English. However, in the Russian variant and among the Horts, the letter u was dropped from the word, resulting in the word Hortsland (Хортсленд). The name of the ethnicity and language emerged during the work on the first constitution of Hortland (March 2021). The words simply sounded similar and local.
Geography
Hortusland is a relatively small micronation with a total area of just 650m². The majority of its territories are occupied by various gardens, plantings, flower beds, and so on. In the historical land of Gardenhort (all three western cantons), there has been a large protected area called "Horts" since 2021. The rest of the country consists of inhabited territory and the surrounding infrastructure. The second-largest city, Prudov, is located on the shore of a small decorative pond in the center of Canton Prudov. It appeared there artificially in the spring of 2021, after the creation of Hortland. In general, the geography of Hortland is interesting and very diverse.
History
Foundation and Era of Traditionalism (2021)
Hortusland was established on February 7, 2021, as the Empire of Hortusland, under the rule of Vasiliy Kormiltsev, who established a Constitutional Monarchy. Later, the Empire was transformed into a Kingdom. Additionally, diplomatic relations were established with the neighboring Republic of Brenz. Throughout 2021, the country underwent various reforms, including the Civil Reform and the introduction of a national currency. In September, a referendum was held to create a parliament.
Onset of the Ukraine War and Subsequent Crisis (March - April 2022)
On February 24, 2022, the armed forces of Russia invaded Ukraine. In response to this, a state of emergency was declared in Hortusland, and the government left the country, temporarily relocating to Slovakia. Brenz's politicians also evacuated, establishing a temporary government in Germany.
Subsequent Period, Horto-Brenzian Crisis, and Foreign Policy (April 2022 - March 2023)
On April 23, a conference took place between Hortusland and Brenz, where they agreed to document each other's oral directives. In the summer, the Horto-Brenzian crisis began, leading to a radical revolution in Brenza, with the rise of the radical organization, the Right Shield. All of this had an impact on the relationship between Hortusland and Brenz, but eventually, they normalized. In September, Hortusland and Brenza united to create the Protectorate of Tribuzonia, which became a land corridor between them. An official Representation of the Kingdom of Hortusland in Slovakia was also established. In November, work began on the Convention of Micronational Rights, which was adopted in the middle of that month. However, in early 2023, relations between Hortusland and Brenza became strained again due to disagreements in Tribuzonia's legislation.
Stagnation (March - August 2023)
During this period, the founders of Brenza and Hortusland decided to create a new project called Tamahion, which would replace both micronations. On August 5, the Declaration of Independence of Tamahion was adopted, but over time, they lost interest in the project and returned to their previous arrangements.
Parliamentary Elections in Brenza (August 2023)
On August 16, the first round of parliamentary elections took place in Brenz, where the National Alliance and the Centrist Party received the majority of votes. The second round between them was scheduled for September 1. It's worth noting that the pre-election campaign in Brenza was highly intense and generated conflicts between various political forces in Brenza.
Political Crisis in Hortusland (August 28 - 31, 2023)
The political crisis in Hortusland began when, after strong criticism related to a constitutional violation, Prime Minister Vasiliy Kormiltsev from the Hortusland Democratic Party resigned. In the morning, the acting Prime Minister dissolved the Parliament, and the Countess of Hortusland renounced her title, which was immediately assumed by the former Prime Minister, who declared the independence of the Hortusland Republic. From her, the Duchies of Cheraland and Gardenhort seceded, remaining loyal to the central and legitimate government. The intervention of Brenz's government temporarily froze the conflict. Later, after a military counter-coup, Hortusland regained control over part of the republic by military means, and then reestablished full control over it, thanks to joint diplomatic efforts by Hortusland and Brenza. The conflict came to an end, and Cheraland and Gardenhort returned to the Kingdom of Hortusland. During the same period, the second round of elections took place in Brenz, and the National Alliance party emerged victorious. [Animation on map]
Current Time (Since September 2023)
Following these events, reforms began in Hortusland, including a new administrative and territorial division, a shift towards a socialist economy, and other changes. The Kingdom of Hortusland continues to develop and pursue an active domestic and foreign policy.
Internal Structure
Administrative-Territorial Division
According to the Constitution of the Kingdom of Hortusland, in terms of administrative-territorial planning, the territory of Hortusland is divided into cantons, which are self-governing administrative units at the first level. There are a total of 4 cantons in Hortusland, which are:
- Prudov
- Vishgorod
- Grushev
- Podol
The cantons were established with a new administrative-territorial division adopted under the leadership of the Party of Subjects after parliamentary elections in Hortusland. Cantons have self-governance and possess cantonal councils, which are governmental bodies led by parties elected by the population of the cantons in parliamentary elections. Internally, the cantons are divided into municipalities, which include all inhabited (or uninhabited) areas in Hortusland. At the federal level, there is the capital district, a unique administrative unit formed around the capital of Hortusland, the city of Fedropol, although it de facto is part of the city. Hortusland also has its official representation (the government's workplace) in the Slovak Republic under its jurisdiction.
National Royal Guard
The security of the country is the responsibility of only one body, the National Royal Guard of the Kingdom of Hortusland, which is a conglomerate of various agencies. Its rights and responsibilities are more detailed in the NRGKH Charter.
The National Guard is responsible for both the military and the police, as well as special forces units, and the enforcement of law and order. The NRGKH was established in December 2021 but was reformed with the arrival of the new government in October 2023.
It has two platoons within Hortusland and on the territory of the military base in Slovakia.
Since October 16, 2023, the national (and second state) flag of Hortusland 
can be used in military affairs. The National Royal Guard of Hortusland also operates under the Convention of Micronational Rights, but its special-purpose agency can carry out its work beyond Hortusland and the territories governed by its legislation.
Department of Internal Affairs (DI-VI-DI)
A security structure that emerged in Hortusland on October 29, 2023. It is responsible for various aspects of Hortusland's statehood, foreign policy, intelligence, and more. Internally, it is divided into the following departments (excluding staff):
- P - The police division of the Department responsible for law enforcement agencies and state security (without violating the National Royal Guard Charter). In simpler terms, it is the internal troops of the Department of Internal Affairs.
- S - The division responsible for state integrity and sovereignty preservation (including legal matters).
- C - The division responsible for citizenship issuance and other processes related to it.
- U - Responsible for municipal management (in accordance with decisions of local cantonal councils).
- R - Responsible for registering certain civil legal acts (according to legislation).
- T - The department responsible for foreign intelligence.
- L - The department responsible for Hortusland's foreign policy.
- E - The department responsible for facilitating national referendums (parliamentary elections or referendums).
Legislation
Hortusland's legislation has existed almost since its inception. The first compilation of laws was the constitution, which appeared quite modest. It was also handwritten and used an early version of Horti language, which notably differed from the subsequent version. A new constitution, based on the first, was adopted on June 17, 2022. Unlike the first version, the second one was typed in electronic format (so its amendments were no longer such a problem). It had multiple modified provisions and was written in Horti. During its existence, a sufficient number of minor amendments were made until after the political crisis in late August 2023, a third constitution was adopted. It was adopted as part of a peace conference led by the government of Brenza. Since it was written by a new reformist government, its content also changed. Firstly, departing from the traditions of 2021, many provisions related to the titular authority were altered. According to the new constitution, Hortusland recognized three official languages: Russian (as the primary language), Ukrainian (as a sign of respect for Ukrainian sovereignty and culture, and because the majority of Horti consider themselves Ukrainians), and Horti (as a sign of respect for Hortland's culture and traditions). The constitution itself was published in Russian. It's also worth noting some interesting provisions. For example, in Article 8 (Special Laws or Restrictions), it is emphasized that any initiative that could harm life, health, and public order is prohibited. Also, in respect of the culture and laws of early Hortusland, the consumption of polar walrus meat and medieval spears manufactured from 1056 to 1312 is prohibited (Article 8, Point 1 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Hortusland). Citizens born on February 29 must receive, on behalf of the state, 3 Horti feds as compensation (Article 8, Point 2 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Hortusland). In addition, the use and import of tobacco and tobacco products are restricted in Hortusland (Article 8, Point 3 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Hortusland). Article 36 states: Citizens of Hortusland must comply with the laws:
A). Prescribed by civilized society.
B). Of the state in which the person has official citizenship.
There are also many other interesting provisions.
Economy
Hortusland has a socialist economy. It was approved on October 3, 2023, when the majority of the parliament voted for the bill proposed by the Union of Leftists party. The first attempts to establish an economy in Hortusland were made in the early summer of 2021. At that time, wooden blanks for coins were ordered, on which the denomination and national symbols were burnt in Hortusland. With the introduction of the Horti fedra, the National Bank of Hortusland was established, which operated until the capitalist economic system was abolished. Later, in December of the same year, the Ministry of Economics was formed, and it was financial machinations around this currency that led to a protracted Horto-Brenza crisis. At that time, the first and only private business in Hortusland was created - the "Provision Store," where basic items and products were sold. However, it did not enjoy demand, and eventually its owner sold all private property. In the winter of 2021-2022, the leaders of Hortusland and Brenza jointly discussed the possibility of creating an electronic payment system, but it never went beyond discussions. In the years 2022-2023, the government already understood that the Fedr had lost its relevance and was used as a souvenir. With the arrival of reformists after the political crisis in late August 2023 and the allocation of parliamentary seats to the left-wing democratic socialists, a new socialist economic system was adopted and legalized. It stated that the working class earns money abroad in Hortusland and then supplies the country with all necessary resources using that money, for which citizens of level 1 have equal rights. The only exception here is private property. The Hortusland Fedr still retains its status as the national currency, used among other things in souvenir production, but it has been withdrawn from circulation.
Culture
National Language (Horti)
The national language of Hortusland is a somewhat controversial topic. Before the reformists came to power in the early autumn of 2023, Horti was the only national and state language, but it took a back seat and even a third place, giving priority to Russian, the language spoken by the absolute majority of Hortusland residents. Nevertheless, until August 31, 2023, all documents and the Constitution were issued in Horti.
But what kind of language is it? Horti was first mentioned during the writing of the first version of the Hortusland Constitution, and its spelling was slightly different from what we see today. Although there is no exact information, it is known, for example, that the Latin letter Š (and others) was used to emphasize the gender of nouns. Over time, Horti gained a consistent spelling: the Russian И was replaced with the Ukrainian І (і), and at the end of words ending in a consonant, a hard sign (Ъ) was added. In addition, Horti had a few dialectic features that were characteristic of the founder of Hortusland, Vasiliy Kormilts, and his surroundings.
Memorable Dates for Hortuslanders
Multiple holidays and memorable dates associated with family and cultural traditions of Hortuslanders (not an exhaustive list).
- December 31 - January 1 - New Year
- January 7 - Orthodox Christmas
- January 14 - Old New Year
- February 7 - Independence Day
- Orthodox Easter (without a specific date, usually in April-May)
- May 8 - Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Second World War
- May 9 - Victory Day over Nazism
- June 1 - Children's Day
- August 31 - Constitution Day
- September 1 - Knowledge Day
- September 10 - Hortusland Democracy Day
- December 1 - Armed Forces Day
And others. Note: The list is not exhaustive, and many of these holidays are not celebrated at the national level, but they are de facto celebrated on an equal footing with others.
Horto-Brenzian Circle
Definition
The Horto-Brenzian Circle is a conditional designation for three micronations with shared borders located in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. It consists of the Kingdom of Hortusland, the Republic of Brenz, and the Protectorate of Tribunia. The term began to be widely used in Hortusland's media in 2022-2023. In addition to geography, all three micronations are also united by the Convention on Micronational Rights, a treaty signed by Hortusland, Brenz, and Tribunia, outlining their rights.
Convention on Micronational Rights
The Convention on Micronational Rights, as mentioned above, is an international treaty that defines the rights of micronations, at least for the Horto-Brenzian Circle. It was adopted on November 12, 2022, when Hortusland and Threebuzonia entered into it. A little later, on February 1, 2023, Brenz also joined the convention.
Protectorate of Threebuzonia
The Protectorate of Threebuzonia is a territory (comprising several streets and alleys) that forms a land corridor connecting the borders of Hortusland and Brenz. It emerged on November 3, 2022, after the adoption of the Declaration of Virtual Sovereignty of the Protectorate of Threebuzonia. It is divided into three zones (hence its name) - Hortusland's, Brenz's, and a neutral zone. On the first two, each of the micronations has the right to deploy its troops, while on the neutral zone (and in the neighbor's zone), only with mutual consent. Threebuzonia is governed by two equal consuls appointed from both sides.
Author's Note
Unfortunately, I do not have sufficient knowledge of the English language, so the translation from Russian turned out to be quite mediocre. I apologize to the readers for that. I really hope that someone among you will make the page more readable.