Ave, Sandum Citizens!
Under my authority as Sôgmô, over the next month we shall observe our culture and the ways of our people. We shall listen to the music which are the cultural expression of our State and observe their sentiments. We shall analyse art that identifies with our State; we shall read literature that is synonymous with Sandus’ ways and culture. We shall mark our analysis in a Codex constructed to publish the culture, to analyse the philosophy, and to be the very embodiment of our State.
These things shall be done not only to remember our roots but also to prepare the State for the coming crisis, so to speak, when Sandus will no longer be tied to her territory in Central Maryland. This time will be one of transition for our State, which shall undoubtedly lose its home territory and gain another. However, the importance that this month intends to focus on is the Sandum culture and its expression by the Sandum people, which shall continue to live even after this “crisis” has begun.
Furthermore, as this is the last full month of the Summer Months, whereby our State is open to all, this shall take place to commemorate the end of Summer and the return to fully-dedicated and industrious work to the State. As according to the standing law on Foreign Affairs:
Article 3. This State recognises that from the period of XX to XXVII Septembrio, the State of
Sandus shall enter into a period of isolation and shall, no later than the Armilustrium, identify a
list of states the State shall continue to maintain communication with and that maintain the
State’s comprehensive guidelines decreed by the Sôgmô on Realism, professionalist decorum and
ethics, and political support for the State; as per the foreign affairs policy from September 2011.Article 4. This State recognizes that the period of XX to XXVII Martio, the State of Sandus
shall leave a period of isolation and shall, no later than the Festival of Fortuna, re-open all
communication between Sandus and states which maintain Sandus’ basic guidelines decreed by
the Sôgmô on Realism and professionalist decorum and ethics;
as per the foreign affairs policy from Martio MMXII.Article 5. This State recognizes that one-half of the year, from XX of the first month of Martio
and to XX of the seventh month of Septembro, shall be the Summer time of the State, following
in the tradition of our Native American and Mediterranean predecessors who waged wars and
opened their states during this time; this State recognizes that one-half of the year, from XX of the
seventh month of Septembro and to XX of the first month of Martio, shall be the Winter time of
the State, following the tradition of our Native American and Mediterranean predecessors who
did not wage wars and closed their states during this time.
Articles 3 through 5 from The Act on Foreign Affairs of Martio MMXII.
Already, as Sacra Flameno, I have begun reading the Iliad. I shall do what I can to encourage other cultural activities to prepare ourselves for the writing of this Codex, which shall be written during this crisis for the next few years. Our Economic Goal by 2015 stands firm; yet, now, this cultural goal to remember Sandum culture too shall remain firm as an oath to the State.
I encourage all Sandum citizens to observe this month, the last before the Winter Months of Isolation, to mark the culture of the Sandum State. This Office shall author periodical reports on the observances of this month.
— Sôgmô Sörgel.
sandus.org 