GEOFICTION

Realistic Geofiction

Geofiction , for me, is the art of creating imaginary countries. Specifically Realistic Geofiction is the creation of “verisimilar” or “plausible” lands that could be believable as real nations. So, their cultures, languages and histories, for example, should be coherent and based on real countries of the Earth.

As stated in AGL, a Dutch organization of imaginary countries, a realistic geofiction “is a reality within the here and now of today”. These states “in themselves and interactively apply to the present level of e.g. technological development, as far as it can be known. Transporter technology as shown in Star Trek for instances, is not realistic, at least from the point of view of this interaction project.” They “don't know that they are fictional countries. They behave like every other nation on Earth. Geofictivity is therefore not the reason that these nations have joined each other in an alliance; every creator of a state can make up a plausible other explanation for this.” It is also mentioned that empires and superpowers would be hard to be believable. So, realistic projects “tend to be humble, mostly small countries.” Tiny states, I would add.

Inspired by this Dutch organization, FICTS – the Forum for International Cooperation of Tiny States – was created in 2005 to congregate realistic geofictional nations in a more international way.

Geofictional Projects

Kaupelan – my personal creation – is a kind of lifelong project, conceived when I was just 8 years old. For more than four decades, Kaupelan has been an experience of geography, history, culture and, especially, languages for me. It’s a dream, but not the Utopia where everything is perfect. The hobby is good to think about, learn and propose solutions for economic, political and environmental problems, like those of the real World.

In old times, my country influenced three Brazilian kids like me, my brother, Paulo Henrique, and two other friends, Vicente and Dinho, to create respectively Santoi, Aurindias and Agamenon in the neighbourhood of Kaupelan. At that time, we’ve funded UIEMB, the Union of Eastern Banda Sea Islands. Now the other nations are inactive although still at my website.

My other creations are recent and not as developed as Kaupelan: Yukland, a Viking state of Northern Europe, Yutyrama, the Indian nation of South America, and Tarmorya, a land of Roman descendant people with strong Arabic influence, in Northern Africa.

With the advent of Internet, I’ve discovered other geofictional projects with similar ideas. I admire so much many of them, like, for example, Arberia, Taemoe and Neuvelle. Unfortunately Taemoe and Neuvelle are extinct today, but still preserved in my website at KIG. I would like to mention also the wonderful creations from two excellent geofictionists, Tuvelau of my Norwegian friend, Martin, and Adzhatia, of my Dutch friend, Bernard. Both joined FICTS.

Whether you like this kind of hobby or you intend to create, maybe already have, some similar project, do not hesitate to contact me. Please write to kaupelan@hotmail.com.

Paulo Eduardo