Principality of Wy
| Motto: Ex Municipalis Vincit | |
| Status | Current |
|---|---|
| Capital | Wy |
| Demonym(s) | Wyze |
| Membership | < 50 |
The Principality of Wy is an Australian micronation based in the Sydney suburb of Mosman. Established in 2004[1] in response to a lengthy dispute with the local council, 'Prince Paul' Delprat also describes it as 'the Artists' Principality',[2] and the website includes selected artworks by artists connected with the principality and commentary supporting aspects of the visual arts.
History
In 1993 the Delprat family applied to build a driveway over their frontage, an unbuilt road near Wyargine Reserve. Eleven years later the situation had not been resolved,[3] and a ceremony was held at Mosman Town Hall on 13 November 2004, during which the secession from Mosman council was announced. Dressed in full regalia, on behalf of the principality, the prince of Wy presented the declaration of independence,[4][5] titled the Decree of Secession, to the Mayor of Mosman.[6]
Since its formation the principality has been covered by international and local news outlets, including Sky News,[7] The Daily Telegraph UK,[8] The Sydney Morning Herald,[9] The Daily Telegraph (Australia),[10] The National (Abu Dhabi)[11] and the Kuwait Times.[12]
Due to the media interest, in 2010 Prince Paul was invited by Dr. Judy Lattas,[13] of the Sociology Department of Macquarie University, to address and give a paper at a seminar[14] held on Dangar Island as part of a study on micronations. The paper[15] presented by the principality outlined the perceived value of micronations and thanked the wider Australian community for being tolerant of such independent perspectives. In May 2011, the local studies department of Mosman council released an interview with Prince Paul as part of the ‘Mosman Faces’ project.[16][17]
Statistics
The principality is located in the municipality of Mosman, New South Wales, and has claimed approximately 700 square metres (7,500 sq ft) as its territory[citation needed]. An embassy for the principality is located in the suburb of Georges Heights, New South Wales. Exports include paintings, etchings and sculptures by the residents[18] and produce. The date of secession, 13 November 2004, was declared 'Wy Day.'[19]
Contribution to the arts
The principality is an active patron of art and sponsors an art prize.[20] Representatives from the principality have also been invited to open exhibitions[21][22][23] and give talks[24] in the local community and throughout the state. Art reviews and articles have appeared in art society newsletters[25] and are published on the Principality of Wy website in support of local and renowned artists.[26] Private exhibitions are held within the principality by invitation and public exhibitions are open at the embassy in Georges Heights, featuring works by new and emerging artists.
Interpretation in popular culture
A minor character in the anime and manga series Hetalia: Axis Powers was named after the Principality of Wy.[27] Depicted as a young girl and usually drawn with a large paintbrush and palette, her personality traits and interests incorporate the artistic philosophy of the Principality.
Singer Doc Neeson has written original compositions about the principality.[28]
Commercial activity
On Monday, 21 February 2011, a U.S. federal trademark registration was filed for PRINCIPALITY OF WY. [29] On 1 September 2010 a similar trademark registration[30] was filed in Australia by Prince Paul (or Paul Delprat). The application was accepted on 6 January 2011 and on 2 June 2011 Australian Trade Mark No. 1381350 (Principality of Wy) became a registered and protected trademark.
References
- ^ History of Mosman Council – from the Mosman Council official website, which lists the year of secession as 2004.
- ^ Principality of Wy website
- ^ Sydney Morning Herald – article from January, 2004. Retrieved 10-10-2010
- ^ Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 10-10-2010.
- ^ Principality of Wy official homepage
- ^ Decree of Secession – full wording of the document available on the Principality of Wy homepage
- ^ Sky News article
- ^ Telegraph UK Article about micronations from around the world
- ^ Sydney Morning Herald Article from Sydney Morning Herald about the micronation meeting in 2010
- ^ The Daily Telegraph
- ^ The National Article about the recent summit of micronations held on Dangar Island in Sydney, Australia
- ^ Kuwait Times
- ^ Macquarie University Website Link to micronation conference information organised by Dr. Lattas, which the Principality of Wy was involved in (as documented in other articles already referenced)
- ^ Macquarie University website Agenda of the micronations seminar at Dangar Island
- ^ Principality of Wy website Wording of the paper presented at the Macquarie University seminar
- ^ Mosman Daily
- ^ Mosman Faces website Link to Mosman Faces project, detailing notable people in the Mosman area
- ^ Principality of Wy website galleries for the resident's art and associated artists' works
- ^ Principality of Wy website noting Wy Day's date
- ^ Principality of Wy website Archy Wyld Art Prize
- ^ Principality of Wy website
- ^ Eva Breuer Website Prince Paul opening an exhibition for Samuel Wade
- ^ Portrait Artists Australia website Prince Paul opened the annual exhibition in 2007
- ^ City of Sydney website Event description for a presentation on William Dobell
- ^ D H Lawrence Society of Australia newsletter Article written by Prince Paul for the D H Lawrence Society of Australia
- ^ Principality of Wy website
- ^ Hetalia: Axis Powers Webcomic first appearance of the character Principality of Wy (Japanese)
- ^ Sky News In the video attached to the article at 2:15 Doc Neeson is performing his 'Wy Anthem.'
- ^ Retrieve Trademark documents United States Patent and trademark Office
- ^ Australian trademark registration
Additional sources
- Harris, Talek (July 25, 2010). "Australia hosts independent micronations". The China Post. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
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External links
- Principality of Wy official website
- Julian Ashton Art School
- Mosman Council website
- Paul Ashton Delprat official website
- Telegraph UK article on micronations
- Sydney Morning Herald
- Sky News article
