On 06 April 2023, a group of citizens and friends of the United Republic of Obscurium and the Parliamentary Monarchy of Duckionary set off for Furth im Wald. The town is located in the Bavarian Oberpfalz in Germany and is known far beyond its borders for the annual folk spectacle "Drachenstich". Over the centuries, many dragon replicas have been in use. The current dragon is called "Tradinno", which is a walking robot over 15 metres long, weighing eleven tonnes and costing 2.3 million euros - and the world's largest free walking robot. In the festival, the dragon is slain by a knight, hence the name "Drachenstich".
The event took place under the banner of Obscurium's 5th Declaration Day. With a total of nine participants, the town of Furth and its dracological sights were visited. The early morning started with a guided tour of the Further rock tunnels, which stretch for several kilometres under the town. The tunnels were built in the Middle Ages and served as cellars, hiding places and air-raid shelters over the years. Afterwards, we went to the Flederwisch world of adventure which is located on an old Reichbahn site. The Erlebniswelt Flederwisch has mysterious and unusual things to offer, including an adventure workshop, a steam engine and a mysterious garden. On a kind of throne in the Flederwisch, Zar Antonov, President of Obscurium, read out the recipients of Obscurium's Grand Cultural Award. Afterwards, the participants fortified themselves with meals and refreshments in a small restaurant. The next item on the programme was a visit to the old Further Dragon, which was in operation until 2009. Afterwards, the participants climbed up the Further city tower and enjoyed the view into the distance. Photos were also taken on the tower with the flags of the two participating micronations. The highlight of the day was the dragon show in the dragon cave, where the dragon "Tradinno" showed all his tricks and skills. After the visit to the dragon cave, which exhibited all kinds of interesting facts about the oldest folk show in Germany, the Obscurian delegation presented gifts to the dragon team present. These included artwork from an Italian school, a Cultural Award plaque and a dragon painting by Obscurian artists. After the successful ceremony, the participants of this extraordinary event travelled to nearby Domažlice in the Czech Republic. There they had a Czech dinner, exchanged gifts, debated micronational issues and finalised the planning work for the Micro Euro Summit 2023, as all three members of the planning committee were present.
Overall, it was a more than successful event that was well received by all participants and generated great interest.
by Arthur C. de Tourneau, 07 April 2023
