Meet Mr. Kod Pocztowy

People of a certain age may remember a cartoon charter by the name of Mr. ZIP, whose job was to remind people to use a correct ZIP code.  Well New Masovians, meet Mr. Kod Pocztowy!

Launched earlier this month, the Royal Post has their own mascot now, to remind citizens that letters must addressed with a proper postal code before mailing.  "In New Masovia, it's very simple.  There's only one mailbox," said Postmaster General Helena Śmietana.  "As such, when mailing to Nowy Pułtusk, use postal code 00-100.  For all other mail to the United States, use the ZIP code for your destination as usual."

Although he missed being printed on the first issue of stamps, expect to see Mr. Kod Pocztowy on future sheets of New Masovian stamps.  Like his predecesor, Mr. ZIP, the Royal Post hopes that Mr. Kod Pocztowy blocks of four will become popular collectors items.  For now, stamp sheets bear the following phrase at the bottom:  UŻYJ KODU POCZTOWEGO.  And you can find Mr. Kod Pocztowy on the Royal Post website and at the post office in Nowy Pułtusk.

First Look At New Royal Post Stamps

New Masovia's Facebook page gave the Principality a sneak peek at our very first stamps as they arrived from the printer today.  

The stamps feature the coat of arms of New Masovia and bear a face value of 1 Złoty.  The stamps are printed in full color on dry-gummed paper in sheets of 36.  The top of the sheet bears the new Royal Post emblem, and the bottom of the sheet is inscribed with a code number for the stamp design and issue, and a message in Polish, "UŻYJ KODU POCZTOWEGO,"  which translates to, "Use Postal Code".  

The official date of issue for the new stamps is yet to be announced.  

Crown Establishes New Museum by Proclamation

Prince David has signed an official proclamation which establishes a new Micronational Museum of Natural History, the first of what's expected to be in a series of museums that will be small in size but big on arts and sciences.

Marine fossils, to be among the first pieces exhibited.

Earlier this month, the official social media accounts for the Principality had posted that a new Natural History Museum was "coming soon", though the nature of the museum had not been fully revealed.  The proclamation states that the micromuseum will be virtual in nature, so that citizens near and far may enjoy the exhibits.

The Crown is estimated to hold hundreds of artifacts, including fossils, rocks, minerals, dried pressed plants, and wildflower photographs.  Most of these are expected to be transferred to the Micromuseum's collections, where they will be stored and curated into online exhibitions for the public.

Official proclamation, establishing the new museum.

Prince David Attends Little Poland Fesitval

On the 5th of June, tens of thousands of people from across the region descended upon Little Poland for New Britain's Little Poland Festival, New England's largest and most beloved celebration of Polish culture.  And among the crowd was none other than New Masovia's Prince David himself.

The Prince and the Queen Mum at the Little Poland Festival

It was the perfect day for a street festival.  After being postponed for two years due to COVID-19, New Britain's Little Poland finally got to host their annual Little Poland Festival.  Thousands of people came out to attend the festival, which stretched over five city blocks along Broad Street.  The festival features food, vendors, attractions, and live entertainment on multiple stages.

The crowd at the Little Poland Festival went as far as the eye could see!

HRH Prince David and entourage made a day of it and soaked in the rays and the sights at this year's festival.  In attendance as well were the First Consort Matthew, the Queen Mum, and others.  The Prince donned his Goral hat and embroidered vest, which apparently was a crowd pleaser.  The Royal Party enjoyed time on the back patio at the Belvedere Cafe, and the group had lunch there as well before heading back out the the festival grounds to explore more.  

If you wanted kielbasa or pierogi, there was no shortage.  Vendors showcased their wares, including pottery, amber jewelry, wooden toys, and t-shirts abound.  Some restaurants created outdoor dining experiences along the sidewalks.  Broad Street businesses opened their doors to draw in shoppers.  Folk music could be heard at various points along the thoroughfare.  It was a day not to be missed.  The Prince and his family look forward to attending again next year.

New Masovia and the Begley Commonwealth Endorse Treaty of Mutual Recognition

The Principality of New Masovia is pleased to announce a formal Treaty of Mutual Recognition and Friendship with The Begley Democratic Republic and Commonwealth.

Negotiations between New Masovia and the Begley Commonwealth began in earnest back in March after an extensive period of communication and friendship building between the two heads of state, Prince David and President Brandon Begley.  The treaty itself was signed in mid April and was announced on New Masovia's social media pages shortly thereafter.

President Begley had this to say upon the endorsement of the treaty.  "We look forward to many years of peace and prosperity with our dearest ally the Principality of New Masovia.  Long Live New Masovia our cherished friend and the voice of Micronations everywhere."

Prince David, shared similar sentiments.  "The Principality of New Masovia is pleased to have engaged the Begley Commonwealth in discussions regarding a treaty of mutual recognition and friendship.  We truly look forward to years of friendship between our two peoples."

The Begley Commonwealth, which is located within the landlocked state of Ohio, has been in existence since 2004 but has a family legacy “hearaldically” as the Begley Royal Kingdom dating back to 1604.  The Begley Commonwealth also has mutual recognition treaties with several micronations, including New Masovian friends of The Kingdom of Volletnia and The Kingdom of Unixploria. 

The treaty went into effect on the 16th of April, 2022

How Will You Celebrate Carnival?

It's high Carnival season!  The royal chefs have been making successive batches of  paczki and chrusciki, costumes have been worn, and merriment has ensued.  Traditionally, Carnival in Poland officially begins in January with the Feast of the Epiphany, and goes all the way to Shrove Tuesday, when all parties are to end at midnight upon the start of Ash Wednesday.  That's almost four months of celebrations, which reach their apex just before Lent starts.

Even as recently as the mid 20th century, Polish gentry would host a special kind of winter party called a kulig, which would involve sleigh rides going from house to house, and thereby, from party to party.  Did you host your own kulig this year?  Tell us all about it, please!

For more information about Highlander Carnival in Bukownia, click here.

Highlander Carnival has been going on in the Tatras mountains since the beginning of February.  Music, food, drink, sleigh rides, and dancing are all part of the occasion.  Radio New Masovia plans to play some Goral music from this year's Goral Highlander Carnival in an upcoming episode.

Carnival goes out with a bang as it goes into high gear in the final days before Ash Wednesday.  You've heard of Mardi Gras?  Well, the Poles get started the previous Thursday, a.k.a. "Fat Thursday" or for many, it's "Donut Day".  Bring on the pączki!  It is estimated that over 100 million pączki are eaten in Poland alone on Fat Thursday!  That's about 2.5 per person.  New Masovians are hereby notified that we have a reputation to keep up!

HRH Prince David, meanwhile, is preparing to host a Principality-wide party at the Royal Palace on the 26th of February.  Invitations have been sent out to all citizens within driving distance, and much food and drink will be consumed.  Special souvenirs for honored guests have been ordered, and Customs will be prepared to stamp passports with this sudden influx of visitors.  If you are unable to make it, we hope to hear your stories of how you celebrated Carnival this year.

Volletnia, Fristehen, New Masovia Issue Joint Statement Regarding Ukraine Crisis

In the wake of recent developements of the Ukraine Crisis, a group of three micronations has issued a joint statement today, condemning the actions taken this week by the Russian Federation.  The Kingdom of Volletnia, The Kingdom of Fristehen, and the Principality of New Masovia today signed their names to a brief but scathing rebuke of the Russian Federation's actions.  In the statement, the three micronations called out Russia's recognition of the two separatist regions of Doneskt and Luhansk as independent states as, "a clear violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, and are a violation of international law."  The statement went on to call for an immediate cease to hostilities and called upon Russia to withdraw its forces.

Other micronations have voiced solitary for the people of Ukraine in recent weeks, including the Principality of Vurmond, the Dominion of Vancouver Island, and the Empire of Guanduania, but it is rare for a block of micronations of any size to take a stand on a macronational level.  Fristehen and New Masovia are both allied with Volletnia, and it was HRH Queen Lorraine II of Volletnia herself who spearheaded this effort.  The joint statement was ratified earlier today and was posted across numerous social media outlets.

For more information on the Kingdom of Volletnia, please visit their Facebook page.

For more information on the Kingdom of Fristehen, please visit their Facebook page.

The entire text of the joint statement follows:

On February 21, 2022, Russian President Vladmir Putin signed a decree, recognizing the independence of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. Following this, President Putin ordered Russian military forces into the region, outside the borders of Russia.

These actions represent a clear violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, and are a violation of international law. We the undersigned, denounce these actions in the strongest terms possible, and call upon the Russian Federation to cease all hostilities, to withdraw its troops from Ukrainian sovereign territory and from the border regions of Ukraine, and to return to the negotiating table in order to find a diplomatic solution to this crisis.

Signed February 23rd, 2022 by

The Principality of New Masovia

The Kingdom of Fristehen

The Kingdom of Volletnia