Bradi Republika

The Bradi Republika (Anglic: Beards Republic) is an unrecognised that claims a circa 16 ha area in Brixivo, Mursland. The nations proclaimed territory consists of Marshal Cleitus Ul., connected buildings, a playground, and a small part of a shopping district.

History
Gennadius Chilikov lived in at the Marshal Cleitus Ul., in a flat named Troi Zuezda with 34 other students of the Brixivo State University.

On the 13th of April, 1998, Gennadius proclaimed the republic in the living room of Troi Zuezda, which in turn became the parliament. He and some friends who attended the event then went around the streets with flyers saying that they now were in the territory of the Bradi Republika, where growing a beard is mandatory and you are now supposed to greet everyone you encountered with "yássou bradat". The stunt gathered little attention of passerby's. However, one of the student houses down the street, Usmikhnat Sluuntse, did take notice of the event, and joined in. A quick copy of the flag was made and hung from their front door as well.

After most of the flyers were distributed, Gennadius and friends decided they wanted to take the joke one step further. In cooperation with their new allies down the streets, they decided to prepare for something bigger. The next day, they gathered to bake a bunch of pies to win over the neighbors, which saw to their surprise much success. The day became known as The Great Pie Day in Bradi's history.

After convincing various houses to fly one of the new flags they had produced, they went for break at the small restaurant on the corner of the Marshal Cleitus Ul. and Kralskata Ul named Pochio Sedalka. They in turn convinced the manager to, beside hanging out the flag, co-organize a small party in the street for next week. In the meantime, the students advertised the event with posters and personally inviting all the neighbors to attend. They also invited the major of Brixivo Apostol Draganou and the respectable professor Emanuil Radeu, with the latter attending the event. The feast gathered much media local attention and there were a total of 230 people attending the event, effectively blocking the street of traffic until interference by the police. Although the event was a blooper, it did make the micro-nation reach the news.

The war of the Toilet Hallway
After the event, the rivaling student flat Nosyat Nokti decided to declare their own nation, the Obrusni Tsarstvo (the Empire of the shaven), on the 24th of April. The two houses have had a long history of "conflict", which was described by the residents as "to go as far back as the stone age". The Empire then proceeded to do a mock coronation in the streets of Artemios Naumou, now Tsar Artemios I. They then paraded through the street, to much displease of the Republic. The Gennadius decided it was unacceptable, and declared war on the empire on the opposite side of the street.

After planning a strategy and preparing equipment, they staged an invasion of Nosyat Nokti on the 1st of May. One of the residents unlocked the door and was just about to enter when a group of two picked him up and 6 of the Republic forces entered the house at circa 7 PM. They were quickly met by some of the Royal forces who were just done having dinner. A push and pull match started in the hallway between the forces, initially as an attempt by the Royal forces to stop further entry. The frontline soon came to a standstill in the tight hallway. It did not seem favorable for the republic forces since they did not know how many people were at home and had not managed to achieve any of their objectives. It was decided to abandon the plan, and instead take the door of the toilet.

This turned the frontline around, with now Royal forces attempting to push forward while Republic forces were lifting the door of its hinges. The residents did not reach in time and the Bradi Republika managed to take the door to Troi Zuezda. Their reputation was tarnished and their morale broken, as they now had to sit exposed on that toilet, which was quite a strain to life in the house as there were only 2 toilets.

Peace negotiations were held between the two micronations. It was decided that the toilet door would return if they were willing to play a soccer match; if the Republicans won, the Royals would surrender their claims and join the movement, and if the Royals won, they would go free. The match was held on the 24th of May, and was decisively won by the Republicans with 6-3.

State Building
Now with a few houses and a restaurant "under control", it was decided to look at the bureaucracy of the nation. A proper constitution was written, passports and stamps were designed, a currency was introduced. They contacted a giftshop in the shopping district at the end of the street if they were willing to function as their official tourist shop.

It was also decided to hand out special predicates to each of the shops and houses. For example, Pochio Sedalka was awarded with the title of Presidential Dinner. They also petitioned their street to relax some of the urban view planning of the city council as to brighten up their street, which saw substantial support. It passed the council twice in 1999, with it getting accepted the second time. They invited various students of the art academy over to decorate some of the buildings in the street with wall large paintings.

Between medio 1999 and late 2000, the students managed to convince most of residents in the street to 'join the cause', effectively having taken over the street. At this point, the area had gained interest of tourists. Various small shops were set up in the street, selling flags, posters and other merchandise.

In 2002, Gennadius had finished his study, and was planned to move out at the end of the year. This would prove to be difficult for attending his nation over distance. A meeting was held with all the republic's citizens, on which it was decided to award Gennadius the title of President-for-life, while also creating a council for everyday tasks. The nation has been run by the shop owners and representatives from the residents since then, with Gennadius taking a ceremonial and advisory role in it all.

Arrests
On 8th of November 2007, a student was arrested by the Brixivo Police for misbehavior on the street. The Bradi Republika became subject of discussion whether it was getting out of hand, reaching the city council. The city council, which deemed the street having stretched the law for too long regarding recreational drug sale and street access, and decided to intervene. This upset the residents, and the students in the street organized a protest, supported by other students in the city. The police moved in strongly and clashes ensued. Three additional students were arrested for rioting. However, various media in the city condemned the violence of the police. The tourism branch and various cultural institutions urged the city council to evaluate the situation.

In January 2008, an agreement was settled with the republic to maintain new safety standards and preserve street atmosphere. In turn, the street would regain some autonomy and the council would see a new statute to ensure all residents could attend the more regularly organized meetings. This also technically meant the republic was recognized as a governing body by the Mursland government, as the agreement could be considered a form of peace agreement.

In the fall of 2013, the street served as a set for the film Otdavna Zagubeni.

Laws
The micronation enforces, beside laws established by the Mursland Government and Brixivo Duurzhavi, also small list of their own laws. These can be found at either entrance of the street, and are:
 * 1) No shaving of facial hair (cutting is fine)
 * 2) No entering houses without permission
 * 3) No rollerskating
 * 4) Respect one another
 * 5) Don't take pictures of residents
 * 6) No crying over dropped ice cream
 * 7) Really, no rollerskating, stop it

Beside these rules, the Brixivo police has been known to tolerate more leeway on rules regarding street activities. Some leeway is also given in cases of performances, if communicated with the city council first.

Motorized traffic in the street has to slow down in the street to take the busy sidewalks into account. Various attempts have been made to free the street of passing traffic, but not much success has been made. Parking is not allowed in the full length of the street, except for loading/unloading.

Economy
The economy of the Bradi Republika consists largely of two restaurants, a souvenirshop, 3 permanent marketstands, an art gallery, and location. The largest 'export' product are the unique stamps for collectors, followed by shirts, flags, and magnets. The street is also a location for, who have to pay a little fee to the republic.

It is estimated that circa four hundred thousand people visit the street annually, although no accurate records are available as various citizens of the surrounding area cross the street to visit the shopping center.

Criticism
Over the years, various organizations have spoken out against the Bradi Republika. Common complaints was the amount of use of alcohol and soft drugs in the street, and noise complaints of students and visitors. However, there is evidence to believe these complaints have been there since before the founding, and just became more reported once the street gained fame. Reports of crime in the city district where the republic is situated are not significantly higher than the surrounding districts, even though more police patrols occur. Many also considered the micronation a breach of the style of the city-district, although the murals were allowed by the city council back in 1999.

The Bradi Republika has received criticism for its masculine tone in both name and writing. Gennadius defends himself stating hist intention is not to offend anyone. The name is a spoof on Marshal Cleitus, a Mursian general who wore a strong beard. Regarding the rules of facial hair, it is stated on the official website that "[We] are not judging anyone's ability or inability to grow a beard, rather that people should stop shaving. So if you cannot grow a beard, that is not an issue." In an interview with Gennadius out-of-character, he also mentioned that only men lived in Troi Zuezda at the time, and they had not expected to expand outside of the house.

Other complaints consist of noise complaints and traffic constrictions of the street. The city council mentioned that these were commonplace with famous city parts and it is a disappointing fact of life. Some people also criticized the dictatorlike clothing and in-character manners of Gennadius to resemble the Mursian Palokist Party or the dictatorship in Selengeria, while fans defend that it is a parody.

In popular media
The city has gained much fame in the Mursian conscience. Several Mursian artists have referred to the Bradi Republic in their works, including but not limited to:
 * Folk singer Mart Vancheu wrote the song Zhivee Republika about life in the street.
 * Punkrock band Mirizlivo Kuche has two songs about the republic: Biite senad toaletnata and Marshal Cleitus.
 * Postmetal band Dulgiyat chovek mozhe da Tantsuva has recorded footage for musicvideos of their third album in the colourfull setting of the main street.
 * In the 43rd issue of the comic Bau Bau, protagonist Ivo visits the Bradi Republika, which has taken over the capital city.
 * Murs-Lusjkian Director Miroslau Dibra used the republic as a set for his movie Otdavna Zagubeni.
 * Several graduation films from the art academy in Brixivo have been filmed in the street and buildings of the republic.