Saturday September 21 marked a historic turning point for the Golden Bucket, with the record participation of 14 heads of micronational alter-states. Created in 2012 by the princely couple of the Principality of Aigues-Mortes, the Godet d'Or was originally a ball reserved for citizens of the micronation, where the Constance Prize was awarded, honoring the citizen of the year. This year, the event welcomed 60 guests from 7 European countries and the United States.
Over time, this event gradually moved towards the intermicronational sphere, notably after being the closing gala of the Microfrancophonie summit in 2016. In 2019, a Garden Party briefly replaced the ball, but this format did not not met the same enthusiasm. After a break forced by the pandemic, the gala resumed in 2022 in an entirely micronational form. The 2024 edition reinforces this direction with the introduction of the Golden Flamingo Awards, dedicated to rewarding micronations around the world.
The Golden Flamingo Awards: global recognition
For this first edition, a micronational jury of 13 members, representing all continents, was formed. In order to guarantee impartiality, this jury changes with each edition. For 2024, HSH Princess Olivia-Eugénie d'Aigues-Mortes, founder of the awards, occupied the prestigious role of President. The jury included one representative from Australia, one from Asia, one from Africa, two from South America, three from North America, and five from various European countries, including Great Britain, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, and France.
The members of the jury were required to maintain absolute secrecy until the end of the ceremony. The surprise was therefore total for the winners, and it was a real stroke of luck that the two winning heads of micronational states attended the event without knowing what awaited them.The Duckionary won the Golden Feather of the most promising micronation of the year, beating out Obscurium and the Republic of San Ernesto in Italy.
Slowjamastan, big winner of 2024
The Sultan of Slowjamastan, His Excellency Randy D. Williams, made a long and fruitful journey. Slowjamastan was nominated in two categories out of three and it won the Golden Feather for the most creative micronation of the year ahead of the Principality of Lorenzburg and the Duchy of Bardo. But that was only the beginning: Slowjamastan was also crowned micronation of the year, surpassing the Grand Duchy of Flandrensis and the Monarchy of Duckionary.
Added to these unexpected distinctions is the decoration of the Sultan to the rank of Knight of the Grand Princely Order of the Pink Flamingo by HSH Prince Jean-Pierre IV of Aigues-Mortes. Sultan Randy D. Williams did not expect such recognition from his peers when he came to Aigues-Mortes this Saturday, September 21.
A micronational scale and a festive atmosphere
The Golden Bucket has kept its promises as an institution in the micronational world. It is the only event that is neither a summit nor a conference, but which allows for equally crucial meetings. It was indeed during this festive weekend that several micronation leaders met to discuss future summits in Europe.
In the patio of the Prince's Palace, while the red carpet and the podium were being installed for the evening, the Prince of Aigues-Mortes, the Queen of Ladonia, accompanied by her Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Grand Duke of Flandrensis , the President of Obscurium, and the Archduke of Duckionary, clarified a delicate diplomatic situation which had provoked reactions across the Atlantic.
The Godet d’Or offers a strict but paradoxically relaxed protocol framework. The note was given with such charm at the start of the evening by HRH Princess Clare of the Island of Lithua during her interpretation of the Coupo Santo, the national anthem of the principality of Aigues-Mortes. The Aigues-Mortes rosé and champagne served to the guests, combined with the inimitable cheekiness of Princess Olivia-Eugénie, contributed to the festive atmosphere throughout the evening.
The 2024 edition was particularly festive, with some of the elite of the micronational world who demonstrated splendor, benevolence and a real desire to have fun. For many, it was an opportunity to meet prominent micronationalists for the first time and benefit from an environment conducive to discussions and new friendships. It all continued with a ball that was as romantic as it was wild. As for what happens next...what happened that evening at the Prince's Palace of Aigues-Mortes will remain within its century-old walls.
See you in 2027
To align with future micronational meetings, the Princely Palace of Aigues-Mortes has announced that it will be necessary to wait three long years for the 9th edition of the Godet d'Or. The Prince's Palace also specified that the Prince of Aigues-Mortes will only present the Grand Princely Order of the Pink Flamingo to deserving foreign dignitaries during their presence at the Gala or during an official state visit. This year, Sultan Randy D. Williams of Slowjamastan (2nd from left in the photo above) and Regent Glenn of the Autonomous Republic of Europa (2nd from the right in the same photo) received this honor . For the next lucky ones, the appointment is therefore made for September 2027, a year during which the Principality of Aigues-Mortes could also host MicroCon EU 2027.
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