Today, the 30th of November, is the 1-year anniversary of Balkania. One year ago today Spongesuds first settled the city of New Serbia within Senntisten territory, and out of the fires of the Independence War with Senntisten and the vicious Rape of New Serbia, the Independent State of Balkania was born.
While it remained obscure to most and internationally isolated even in the -,- quadrant, Balkania was for myself and many others our first and only real home on this server. In it's time Balkania built a city, a small (if pretty unprofitable and practically useless) colonial empire, genuinely one of the best communities I've found on Civcraft, and made some experiences that I really will never forget.

But time takes it's toll, and as Balkania gradually became inactive and the core remaining group of players became burned out and frustrated, we decided we had to make a change. So, on the second of August, four months ago now, I and the rest of the Balkanian old guard, the last few people still faithfully clinging on to a persistently stagnant and immobile nation, decided to leave and seek greener pastures elsewhere.
From there, we wandered from place to place, trying our luck at a new start in Mount Augusta, then Icenia, and eventually Grundeswald and Eterna. In the end others found new homes, or just quit Civcraft entirely. However I myself still feel something pulling me back to the only place I've really considered home on Civcraft - and with it's one year anniversary looming, I feel it would be wrong of me to not take this opportunity to try and restart my old home.

At my request, the inactive Spongesuds has abdicated as monarch and passed the throne to me. As my first and last act as King Ipslore I of Balkania, I hereby abolish the monarchy and declare us a National Republic under a new Constitution. The abolition of the monarchy and establishment of a democratic system in Balkania is just one of a number of reforms I intend to implement:

The historic capital of New Serbia, sentimental value aside, has proven to be poorly designed and badly planned out to serve as the nation's capital, so a new city, "Istria" is under construction in the southwest of the Greater Balkania region to serve as a new capital city. New Serbia is to be designated a historic site and not to undergo any further improvements or development beyond the restoration of historic buildings. However, commercial XP production by SpongeCorp will continue in the city with existing infrastructure.

With the end of the monarchy, former royal properties are to be divvied up - The Royal Palace in New Serbia is to be considered the personal property of Spongesuds, now as a private citizen. The three former "Crown Companies" owned and operated directly by the Balkanian Crown are also to be reorganised -
The Balkania Trading Company and it's two subsidiaries, Balkania Brand Potions and Balkania XP Exports are to be transferred to the personal property of Spongesuds, who has chosen to combine the parent company and two subsidiaries all into "SpongeCorp". The remaining two Crown Companies, Balkanian Rails and the Londinium Development Company are to be nationalised and considered "State Companies", owned and operated by the new state in a similar fashion to the old Crown Companies.

If you want to join Balkania, PM me here on reddit or message my account Ipslore_ ingame.

Long live the National Republic of Balkania!