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Talossa
View on WikipediaTalossa, also known as the Kingdom of Talossa (Talossan: Regipäts Talossan [ˈred͡ʒipæt͡s tɐɫɔˈsan]), is one of the earliest micronations – founded in 1979 by then-14-year-old Robert Ben Madison of Milwaukee and at first confined to his bedroom; he adopted the name after discovering that the word means "inside the house" in Finnish. Among the first such projects still maintained, it has kept up a web presence since 1995.[1][2] Its internet and media exposure since the late 1990s contributed to the appearance of other subsequent internet micronations.
Key Information
Talossa claims several places on Earth as its territory, especially a portion of Milwaukee, calling it the "Greater Talossan Area"; no such claim, however, is recognized by the United Nations or by any sovereign nation. As of August 5, 2023, the number of active citizens is said to be 157.[3] Including those who are no longer citizens for various reasons, those who are under the age of 14 and so are not yet citizens, and those from the ESB Affair[4] there are 564 total registered individuals. The current King of Talossa is Sir Txec Róibeard dal Nordselvá,[5] who in December 2024 succeeded John I. The successors to the throne are the children of the Present King (Prince Patrick, Prince Peter, Princess Daniele).[6] Kings of Talossa: Robert I (1979–1987), Robert II (1987), Florence I (1987–1988), Robert I (1988–2005), Louis (Regent, 2005–2006), John I (2006–2024), Txec I (2024–present)
Culture
[edit]Talossan culture has been developed over the years by Robert Madison and other fans. The Talossan language, also created by Madison in 1980,[7] claims a vocabulary of 35,000 root words and 121,000 derived words[8] – including fieschada, meaning "love at first sight".[9][10]
History and growth
[edit]Talossa was founded as a kingdom on December 26, 1979,[11] by Madison, shortly after the death of his mother. Madison maintained Talossa throughout his adolescence, publishing a handwritten newspaper and designing a flag and emblem. During this time its only other members were about a dozen relatives and acquaintances. This changed in the mid-1990s, when a series of stories in the New York Times[12][13] and Wired,[10] subsequently republished elsewhere, drew his website to popular attention. Several new "citizens" joined Talossa as a result, and Madison began to claim that he was the inventor of the term "micronation".[citation needed]
In April 1996, Madison reestablished the dormant League of Secessionist States—an intermicronational organisation originally founded by him and two friends in 1980—and launched a website for it.[14] Between 1997 and at least 2000, it was the most prominent intermicronational organisation on the Internet.[12][15]
Madison disestablished the "kingdom" in late 2005, but Talossa is still active today despite the lack of involvement of the original founder.[16]
Madison registered "Talossa"[17] as a service mark in 2005 and created Talossa, Inc., a Wisconsin not-for-profit corporation. By 2013 the service mark had been cancelled and the corporation had been administratively dissolved.[18]
Talossan language
[edit]| Talossan | |
|---|---|
| Talossan | |
| Pronunciation | [tɐɫɔˈsan] |
| Created by | Robert Ben Madison |
| Date | 1980 |
| Setting and usage | Talossa |
| Purpose | |
| Latin (Talossan alphabet) | |
| Sources | a posteriori language (Romance) |
| Official status | |
| Regulated by | Comità per l'Útzil del Glheþ |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | tzl |
tzl | |
| Glottolog | talo1253 |
Madison invented Talossan ([tɐɫɔˈsan] or el glheþ Talossan [ɛɫ ʎeθ tɐɫɔˈsan]) as a constructed language for his micronation. With its relatively large vocabulary, which is mostly French-based, it has been described at least once as one of the most detailed fictional languages ever invented.[10] The former Association of Talossan Language Organisations (ATLO) maintained a website describing the language for new learners, providing language information, research and online translation to and from English.[19] The ISO 639 designation is "tzl".[20] That website is now deprecated, and new resources will[when?] be created with the formation of la Società per l'Ilesnaziun del Glheþ Naziunal (Society for the Facilitation of the National Language, SIGN).
The language is overseen by the Comità per l'Útzil del Glheþ ("Committee for the Use of the Language," CÚG), a group formed by Madison which periodically issued both Arestadas (decrees) to describe and document changes in language usage of the language and Pienamaintschen (supplements), to update the vocabulary list. The CÚG maintained a multi-lingual website providing access to the recent recommendations of the Committee.[21]
See also
[edit]- Constructed language (conlang)
- List of micronations
Literature
[edit]- Clemens J. Setz: Die Bienen und das Unsichtbare, Suhrkamp Verlag, Berlin 2020, pp. 174–184.[ISBN missing]
References
[edit]Constructs such as ibid., loc. cit. and idem are discouraged by Wikipedia's style guide for footnotes, as they are easily broken. Please improve this article by replacing them with named references (quick guide), or an abbreviated title. (July 2025) |
- ^ "Castles in the air." The Economist, 20 December 2005.
- ^ "Shortcuts: Starting your own country" CNN.com, 27 September 2006.
- ^ "Talossan Database".
- ^ "Talossa Entry".
- ^ https://talossa.com/
- ^ Laitinen, Kai; Salama, Hannu (1968). "Kenttäläinen käy talossa". Books Abroad. 42 (4): 624. doi:10.2307/40123029. ISSN 0006-7431. JSTOR 40123029.
- ^ talossan.com. History Archived 2023-07-06 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ^ "The CÚG and Its Mission Archived 2023-07-06 at the Wayback Machine," El Glheþ Talossan, 2012. Accessed 2 June 2016.
- ^ "L'Översteir" (Translator), El Glheþ Talossan, 2012. Accessed 2 June 2016.
- ^ a b c Alex Blumberg, "It's good to be king". Wired, March 2000, 8.03.
- ^ R. Ben Madison (2008), "Ár Päts: Classic History of the Kingdom of Talossa" accessed on 2020-03-18.
- ^ a b Stephen Mimh (2000) Utopian rulers and spoofs stake out territory online. New York Times, May 25, 2000
- ^ Roberta Smith, "Art in Review: We could have invited everybody". New York Times July 15, 2005.
- ^ O'Driscoll, Fabrice (2000). Ils ne siègent pas à l'ONU: revue de quelques micro-Etats, micro-nations et autres entités éphémères (in French). Presses du Midi. p. 258. ISBN 978-2-87867-251-0.
- ^ Fuligni, Bruno (1997). L'État c'est moi: Histoire des monarchies privées, principautés de fantaisie et autres républiques pirates (in French). Editions de Paris. p. 221. ISBN 978-2-90529-169-1 – via Google Books.
- ^ Ryan, John; Dunford, George; Sellars, Simon (September 2006). Micronations: The Lonely Planet Guide to Home-Made Nations. Lonely Planet. p. 101. ISBN 1-74104-730-7.
- ^ Talossa entry Archived 2022-07-09 at the Wayback Machine, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Accessed June 2, 2016
- ^ Talossa entry in Wisconsin Financial Institutions register. Accessed on 2010-01-01.
- ^ "El Glheþ Talossan | Information and Resources for the Student and User of the Talossan Language". Archived from the original on 2021-02-12. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
- ^ Documentation for ISO 639 identifier: tzl, 2013-01-23. Accessed 2 June 2016.
- ^ Comità per l'Útzil del Glheþ, CÚG
External links
[edit]- Talossa website
- Talossa wiki
- Talossan language information and translation resource Archived 2021-02-12 at the Wayback Machine
- Committee for the Use of Talossan Language
- L'Översteir, bidirectional Talossan-English translator
- 2010 Arestada newsletter
- "R. Ben Madison's Talossan Language Page". 25 January 1999. Archived from the original on 5 February 2006. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
- Kingdom of Talossa on Atlas Obscura
Talossa
View on GrokipediaHistory
Founding and Early Development
Talossa was founded on December 26, 1979, by 14-year-old Robert Ben Madison in his bedroom on Milwaukee's East Side, Wisconsin, shortly after the death of his mother, which served as a personal coping mechanism.[5][6] Initially structured as a one-person "democratic dictatorship," the micronation's territory was limited to Madison's apartment, reflecting its origins as a youthful imaginative project.[7] Madison proclaimed himself King Robert I and issued an Initial Declaration outlining the basic framework of the new entity.[5] In its early years, Talossa expanded modestly beyond the founder's living space through fictional and symbolic claims, including the addition of Cézembre—a small island off the coast of Saint-Malo, France—as a colony in 1982, following Madison's visit to the site.[8] This marked the micronation's first extraterritorial assertion, blending real geography with imaginative sovereignty. By 1981, Madison began admitting other individuals as citizens and introduced democratic elements, such as the first elections, to formalize participation.[5] Key foundational symbols and institutions emerged in the early 1980s, including the adoption of the national flag—a horizontal bicolour of green over red—on March 2, 1981, and the development of a basic coat of arms featuring the Chinese glyph for "Ben" (Madison's middle name) alongside the founding date.[9] In December 1980, Madison created the Talossan language as the official tongue to distinguish the nation culturally.[10] By 1985, Talossa transitioned to a constitutional monarchy with the enactment of the Organic Law, which granted the king veto powers while establishing legislative structures.[11] Early media coverage appeared in local outlets, such as a 1984 article in the Milwaukee Sentinel portraying Talossa as a creative teenage endeavor.[7]Growth, Schisms, and Reunification
During the 1990s, Talossa experienced significant expansion facilitated by the advent of the internet, transitioning from a localized entity in Milwaukee to an international community. In 1995, the nation acquired its first email address, enabling broader communication, followed by the naturalization of the first "cybercits"—online citizens—in June 1996, which marked a surge in membership as individuals from outside the United States joined. This digital outreach more than doubled the citizenry in 1996 alone compared to all previous years combined, driven by the micronational "boom" on the web. A key milestone was the reestablishment of the League of Secessionist States (LOSS) in April 1996 by founder Robert Ben Madison, originally created in 1980; this intermicronational alliance fostered collaboration among similar entities and elevated Talossa's profile within the emerging online micronational scene.[7][12][13] Media exposure further accelerated growth, exemplified by a prominent feature in Wired magazine's March 2000 issue, which highlighted Talossa's unique blend of fantasy and governance, attracting several dozen new citizens in a brief immigration wave. By May 2000, the population had reached approximately 60 active members, predominantly cybercits from countries including Sweden and the United Kingdom, reflecting recruitment through the official website and structured naturalization processes. Online platforms allowed Talossa to sustain this expansion into the early 2000s, growing from a handful of citizens in the 1980s—mostly local friends and family—to over 200 active participants by the mid-2000s, though internal conflicts began to temper this momentum.[13][14][7] Tensions over governance and the monarchy culminated in major schisms during the early 2000s, fracturing the community into competing factions. In June 2004, leaders from four of Talossa's seven provinces—Florenciâ, Maricopa, Maritiimi-Maxhestic, and Cézembre—seceded to form the Republic of Talossa, citing perceived tyrannical abuses by King Robert I (Madison), including arbitrary decisions and favoritism. Madison himself supported this republican movement, driven by his own dissatisfaction with the monarchical structure he had established, leading to a brief but divisive period where the Republic operated independently with its own provisional council and constitution ratified in 2005. This split resulted in multiple factions, including a rump Kingdom loyal to the monarchy and the Republic's democratic experiment, which at its peak claimed around 40 citizens and further splintered the overall Talossan population.[15][16][17] The schisms deepened with Madison's abdication on August 15, 2005, when he and his wife renounced their citizenship amid ongoing disputes, including legal challenges over new citizen approvals and the evolution of the Talossan language. This left the Kingdom in an interregnum, with brief successions—such as to Louis I, Madison's nephew—deemed invalid, paving the way for John Woolley to ascend as King John I in 2007 via parliamentary act and referendum. The Republic persisted separately, emphasizing republican ideals and distrust of monarchical legacies, while the Kingdom navigated instability through elected governance. The monarchy under King John I played a stabilizing role post-schism by providing ceremonial continuity amid these factional divides.[16][5][7] Reunification efforts culminated in 2012, healing the decade-long divide through diplomatic negotiation and legal reforms. In December 2011, Republic President Miestră Schivă proposed reconciliation to King John I and Kingdom leaders, leading to the Republic's dissolution on April 19, 2012, and the reintegration of its approximately 15 remaining citizens into the Kingdom via special legislation that created the new province of Fiôvă to honor republican traditions. Disputes were resolved through amendments to the Organic Law, including provisions for a non-hereditary monarchy selected by the Ziu (parliament) and shifts in prime ministerial selection to the Cosă (lower house), ratified via referendums during the 55th Cosă elections. This process restored unity, with the combined population exceeding 200 active members and setting the stage for collaborative governance.[16][15][7]Contemporary Era
Following the reunification of the Kingdom of Talossa and the Republic of Talossa on 19 April 2012, the Organic Law of 2012 was implemented to standardize the government structure, establishing a constitutional framework that limited monarchical powers and reinforced democratic institutions.[18] This period, often referred to as the "Era of Good Feelings," marked a phase of post-reunification stability characterized by minimal political strife and dominant governance by the Moderate Radical Party of Talossa (RUMP) until the mid-2010s.[7] Regular general elections have been held consistently since 2012, typically every three to seven months, ensuring ongoing citizen participation in the Ziu (parliament) and provincial assemblies.[19] Cultural vitality has been sustained through annual events such as TalossaFest, a summer festival in the Greater Talossan Area that fosters community gatherings, language immersion, and celebrations of Talossan heritage.[20] Significant leadership transitions have defined Talossa's recent trajectory. On 30 November 2024, King John I abdicated the throne after a 17-year reign, paving the way for the ascension of Sir Txec Róibeard dal Nordselvä, UrB, as King Txec I from the House of Nordselva; he had been appointed heir apparent by King John on 20 August 2024.[7] This smooth handover underscored the monarchy's apolitical role under the Organic Law. In 2025, political activity remained robust, exemplified by King Txec's dissolution of the 61st Cosa on 26 October, triggering writs for a new general election to form the 62nd Cosa.[21][22] The general election for the 62nd Cosă began on 15 November 2025 and is ongoing as of 20 November 2025, reflecting continued multipartisan competition.[23] Talossa has navigated modern challenges by adapting to global contexts while emphasizing its sovereignty over the "micronation" label historically applied by outsiders. Official descriptions now highlight Talossa as an independent nation with a worldwide citizenry, rejecting diminutive characterizations to affirm its self-perceived status.[2] The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated reliance on online platforms for governance and engagement, leveraging Talossa's pre-existing digital infrastructure—such as Wittenberg forums and virtual Ziu sessions—to maintain activity among its dispersed, global citizens without physical gatherings.[24] Prime Minister Daphne Lawless noted in 2020 that Talossans were "pioneers at social distancing" due to this online focus, which sustained legislative output and community bonds during lockdowns.[24] These adaptations have bolstered Talossa's resilience, with citizenship applications and virtual events continuing to drive vitality into 2025.Government and Politics
Monarchy
Talossa operates as a constitutional monarchy, with the King serving as an apolitical head of state bound by the Organic Law of 2017.[25] The monarch's role is primarily ceremonial, encompassing duties such as granting titles of nobility, awards, and oversight of the Officers of the Royal Household, while maintaining a strict non-partisan stance that prohibits the King, consort, or regent from holding seats in the Ziu.[25] Although vested with veto power over legislation passed by the Ziu, this authority is rarely exercised to preserve democratic governance and avoid undermining the elected branches.[26][27] Succession to the throne follows principles outlined in the Organic Law, prioritizing an appointed Heir Presumptive nominated by the King and approved by the Ziu and a public referendum; in the absence of such an heir, a convocation elects a successor subject to similar ratification.[25] The monarchy has seen several transitions since Talossa's founding, often involving abdications or elections rather than hereditary lines. Key monarchs include:- Robert I (Róibeard Pirmalaiset): Reigned from 26 December 1979 to 1987, abdicated briefly, then restored from 27 February 1988 to 16 August 2005.[5]
- Robert II (Róibeard Secund): Reigned for 47 days in early 1987 following Robert I's initial abdication, ending via referendum.[5]
- Florence I (Fiorença Pirmalaiset): Reigned from 24 August 1987 to 27 February 1988, renouncing the throne to facilitate Robert I's restoration.[5]
- Louis I (Luïç Pirmalaiset): Reigned from 16 August 2005 to 29 November 2006 as a minor under the regency of G. Rajala, abdicating through legal guardianship.[5]
- John I (Ian Pirmalaiset): Reigned from 14 March 2007 to 30 November 2024, elected by the Ziu and ratified by referendum, focusing on cultural preservation during his tenure.[5][28]
- Txec I (Txec Róibeard dal Nordselvă): Ascended on 30 November 2024 following John I's abdication, marking the start of the House of Nordselvă as a new royal dynasty proclaimed on 12 June 2025.[29]
