Ave, Sandum Citizens!
As this is our first Philia Fortnight report, I shall begin in chronological order of pieces of artwork sent to the State. Each one stresses the ideas behind the State and the culture of the Sandum people, following the Active Micronational Cultural Theory.
Armilustrium Poster
To the unknowing individual, this poster would seem just as any other advertisement or celebratory poster. However, there are religious elements in this poster synonymous with Sandum culture. Not only is Ares himself an example of this, but so is the phrase “Gratias ad Ares” or “Thanks to Ares”. This relates to both Cultus and Pietas in the Sandum Mos Maiorum or, in Sancta, Morae d’Ancestrae. For Sandus, we have a historical past of being a religious nation. Not only does this religious expression exist, but we also try to allow other non-Pagan and non-Buddhist religions to present their faith as well: we have fostered other Sandum citizens in making their own religious decisions and we have welcomed Christians into the Collegio Sacerdae, though commonly seen as being an institution of Neo-Pagan expression. This poster is also done in a specific style of Sandum art in which figures are mostly done in black and white, a sort of minimalism.
These observances of the Morae d’Ancestrae, the liberalism in Religion, and Religious expression are all key elements of Sandum culture.
Mao Poster
This poster is one which will obviously inspire Sandum socialists and communists. The slogan refers to the Hundred Flowers Campaign, which encouraged Chinese citizens to speak openly about the Communist Party and the Communist government. This is also similar to the role of the Citizens’ Communist Party in Sandus, which is viewed as being both an ideological political party and a democratic forum for Sandum citizens to communicate with the government; both of these functions encourage advising on Socialism and on other government duties. As with under the Philia Policy, as well, which stressed the self-advancement of culture and society in Sandus, a sort of liberalisation shall hopefully take place and, so, this poster is very indicative of those measures.
Socialism and the importance of the democratic function of the CCPS are key elements of the Sandum political culture.
Liripksa song
André Sammut created this song to express melancholy and dedicated it to the recent passing of Axel Nielson, the Theodian Foreign Minister. Not only does Sandum culture respect and revere music and its internal meaning and being, but Sandum culture is also very melancholic. The long and pensive sadness is often one which is very Sandum. As has been discussed recently by the State, the basic intent of being a Sandum citizen is to observe and remove the suffering of ourselves and others; however, this can only be done by personal actions of verstehen. Once an individual understands the actions of another, then they are able to work with the other person towards the goal of removing suffering or their own suffering. In this sense, Sandum citizens are meant to be very melancholic but, at the same time, be happy about that long and pensive period for they know that they are working to remove suffering. This function is not only very Buddhist and very Marxist, but it is also very universal to all peoples. Just as the XIVth Dalai Lama argued that all religion is kindness, so too do we believe that all our actions are for kindness and, so, it has always been in our culture to observe the memories of the dead — as we do every May 9th.
Pensive melancholy and commemorating the dead are key elements of the Sandum culture.
Great Schism and the Sack of Constantinople paper
Though not a complete paper nor a completely Sandum paper, Jonathan Caesar is currently writing a paper under his position in the Collegio Sacerdae on “To what extent did the Great Schism result in the Sack of Constantinople in 1204?” This paper is one which is important for Sandus’s religious liberty, which few recognise, and for Sandus’s importance on history. It is history which also enables us to understand others, as well as to make guided policy and actions by the State. Without this appreciation for history, Sandum culture would not be where it is today; in fact, Sandus would still be named Sandefreistikhan without this cultural importance of history.
Historical appreciation and the importance of history in culture are key elements of the Sandum culture.
— Sôgmô Sörgel.
sandus.org 
Hmm. Will your Hundred-Flowers-esque policy end with the mass slaughter of dissidents?
As the State of Sandus is a country based upon the rights of conscience and expression by the people and because we have no way in which to slaughter any person, as our country is pacifist and we have no military or weapons, that is never an option. However, the poster refers to our State’s lax ability for our citizens to speak openly, directly, and forthrightly about their government – a right guaranteed to all our citizens – and seeks to commemorate the spirit of the Hundred Flowers campaign.