Principality of Wy
Encyclopedia
The Principality of Wy is an Australian micronation
based in the Sydney
suburb of Mosman.
Established in 2004 in response to a lengthy dispute with the local council, 'Prince Paul' Delprat
also describes it as 'the Artists' Principality', and the website includes selected artworks by artists connected with the principality and commentary supporting aspects of the visual arts from fine art to manga
.
Since its formation the principality has been covered by international and local news outlets, including Sky News, The Telegraph UK, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Daily Telegraph, The National Abu Dhabi and the Kuwait Times.
Due to the media interest, in 2010 Prince Paul was invited by Dr. Judy Lattas, of the Sociology Department of Macquarie University
, to address and give a paper at a seminar held on Dangar Island
as part of a study on micronations. The paper 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.
, and has claimed approximately 700 square metres (7,534.7 sq ft) as its territory. 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 and produce. The date of secession, 13 November 2004, was declared 'Wy Day.'
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.
and manga
series Hetalia: Axis Powers
was named after the Principality of Wy. 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.
Micronation
Micronations, sometimes also referred to as model countries and new country projects, are entities that claim to be independent nations or states but which are not recognized by world governments or major international organizations...
based in the Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
suburb of Mosman.
Established in 2004 in response to a lengthy dispute with the local council, 'Prince Paul' Delprat
Paul Delprat
Paul Ashton Delprat is an Australian artist and the Principal of The Julian Ashton Art School, Sydney, Australia's oldest continuous fine art school...
also describes it as 'the Artists' Principality', and the website includes selected artworks by artists connected with the principality and commentary supporting aspects of the visual arts from fine art to manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
.
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, 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, titled the Decree of Secession, to the Mayor of Mosman.Since its formation the principality has been covered by international and local news outlets, including Sky News, The Telegraph UK, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Daily Telegraph, The National Abu Dhabi and the Kuwait Times.
Due to the media interest, in 2010 Prince Paul was invited by Dr. Judy Lattas, of the Sociology Department of Macquarie University
Macquarie University
Macquarie University is an Australian public teaching and research university located in Sydney, with its main campus situated in Macquarie Park. Founded in 1964 by the New South Wales Government, it was the third university to be established in the metropolitan area of Sydney...
, to address and give a paper at a seminar held on Dangar Island
Dangar Island
Dangar Island is a small forested island in the Hawkesbury River, just north of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It has a permanent population of about 250, which swells dramatically during holiday seasons. The island is serviced regularly by the Dangar Island Ferry service that departs from...
as part of a study on micronations. The paper 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.
Statistics
The principality is located in the municipality of Mosman, New South WalesNew South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, and has claimed approximately 700 square metres (7,534.7 sq ft) as its territory. An embassy for the principality is located in the suburb of Georges Heights, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. Exports include paintings, etchings and sculptures by the residents and produce. The date of secession, 13 November 2004, was declared 'Wy Day.'
Contribution to the arts
The principality is an active patron of art and sponsors an art prize. Representatives from the principality have also been invited to open exhibitions and give talks in the local community and throughout the state. Art reviews and articles have appeared in art society newsletters and are published on the Principality of Wy website in support of local and renowned artists.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 animeAnime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
and manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series Hetalia: Axis Powers
Hetalia: Axis Powers
is a Japanese webcomic, later adapted as a manga and an anime series, by . The series presents an allegorical trivialisation of political and historic events, particularly of the World War II era, in which the various countries are represented by stereotyped anthropomorphic characters...
was named after the Principality of Wy. 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
Doc Neeson
Bernard "Doc" Neeson is an Australian rock singer. Neeson is known as the lead singer and frontman for Australian hard rock band The Angels.-Early life:...
has written original compositions about the principality.
Commercial activity
On Monday, 21 February 2011, a U.S. federal trademark registration was filed for PRINCIPALITY OF WY. On 1 September 2010 a similar trademark registration was filed in Australia by Prince Paul (or Paul Delprat) from his address of 22B Burran Avenue, Mosman and accepted on 6 January 2011.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