image by Željko Heimer, 20 February 1999
Last modified: 2006-02-25 by dov gutterman
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image by Željko Heimer, 20 February 1999
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After hearing about "The Lunar Rebublic of Owalicva"
site (located by Dov Gutterman on 20 February 1999, now
defunct), I just wanted to say another thing that came to mind
reading the full title of the "Republic". It may be
that it is not an "imagination" after all. There is a
custom in greater part of Christian world of carnivals (well I'm
sure not only among Christians people take masks for fun, but
read on) - and it is not uncommon to proclaim an independent and
crazy (lunar!?) state in these days, and finally on the last day
of the carnival to burn the figure of the "ruler" of
that state. There is little doubt that the custom stems from
pagan, pre-Christian times, but to go into history and symbolic
of it would be to much for me. I don't know if Owlicava is one of
such, but if it is I would not be surprised if it have a flag and
other symbols of statehood.
In a small town near Zagreb a similar custom is used, just ended
last Tuesday. The town is called Samobor, and the "Free
Republic of Samobor" is proclaimed, the normal municipal
functionaries nominally being suspended for the period. I was in
Samobor last Saturday (having great fun), and noticed that there
were no usual state and city's flag on the official buildings,
but the town was full of the Free Republic flags - these being on
various coloured "bedsheets" the symbol of the festival
- a magpie (a bird, like a crow, fabled to steal shiny objects,
symbolically stand for corupted government). Even the coat of
arms on the municipality building was temporarily changed to a
version that show a magpie in place of the usual tower. A
passport of the "Free Republic" is issued also (giving
you discount at various pubs etc.). Sorry
that I don't have images of the flag and coat of arms. I can only
offer you the "normal" flag of Samobor, white flag with
coat of arms in the middle.
Željko Heimer, 20 Febuary 1999
zg-sb.gif)
image by Željko Heimer
The coat of arms of Samobor is based on the old seal showing a
tower between leafed branches. Above is the city name and below
year 1242 in which Samobor gained the status of a free and
royal city. The flag is white with the coat of arms in the
middle.
Željko Heimer