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« on: January 02, 2021, 09:49:14 PM »
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« Last Edit: April 10, 2023, 04:43:23 PM by Nova »

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Re: Saluting the people (Jugland & Fleur)
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2021, 10:35:48 AM »


To the République Fleuroise, Ambassador Martin
From the Federal Union of Jugland


Our government is thankful to your republic for your friendly words and good wishes, and we hope your message starts a constructive and prospereous relation between your nation and the recently established Federal Union of Jugland.

We are grateful for the gifts and donation offered as well, as we will be glad to host a joint celebration in Juglander soil to commemorate, not just our modest steps toward peace and national reconciliation, but the future of, hopely friendly and prosperous, Juglander-Fleuroix relations as well.

We are glad to grant you your petition, to keep the current installations in Albrektberg a a Consulate, and we offer our assistance in the establishment of your new embassy in Midtenstadt.

President Eadwald Engelsaas will be honoured to receive D.A.D.C. Debeauson in our country, and the Provisional Government can announce that a special commission to be created to organize such joint celebration.

Sincerely,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Federal Union of Jugland


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Re: Saluting the people (Jugland & Fleur)
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2021, 09:45:16 PM »

The Fleuroix plane landed in the military base in the Nythammel military base a few days after the first national parliamentary election under the new constitution. Juglander officers saluted the welcome guests when they left the plane, with the Fleuroix guards came from behind to perform their traditional protocol.

After the ambassador greeted and exchanged a few words with Debeauson, Minister-Secretary Burkhardt Kvalheim approached them.

"Welcome to Jugland", Kvalheim said. "I hope you had a comfortable travel".

"I introduce you to Lamprecht Vaaler", Kvalheim continued as one of his assistant offered Debeauson a folder, "I have entrusted him to assist and guide you during your visit, in case you need it, as I assume the ambassador doesn't know very well the city yet. Although I imagine that the ambassador already informed about the agenda, the folder includes the agenda of the day, including a detailed summary of the celebration we have jointly organized, which will turn place in the afternoon, as you probably know. Mr. Vaaler joined the ministry recently but he's a fluent Fleuroix speaker as he served as attaché in the Juglander embassy in your country more than a decade ago".

"It will be a honour, Director Debeauson", Vaaler told Debeasuson, pointing to a little box offered by a Juglander attendant approaching the Fleuoix guests, "it's a bottle of mjedavitt, a typical alcoholic liquor, produced in our country, as a souvenir. Not sure if really adecuate by the Fleuoix taste, but it is really popular here".

"This kind was sadly stopped being produced as consequence of our recent conflict after two centuries of family tradition", Kvalheim explained, "by the younger son has recently taken the family company and started to produce it again. This one is one of the few last ones produced in the old factory, I believe. Although I don't recommend you to taste it before your meeting with President Engelsaas though", he added with a smile.

"The military base is about 12 km from Midtenstadt, our new capital city", Vaaler explained, "so the travel will take us a bit longer. Unfortunately, Midtenstadt airport, is not functional yet". As they approached the cars, they may realize that the Juglander guards escorting them were still wearing badges with the royal symbol in their vests, as the official coat of arms of the Juglander Armed Forces hadn't been changed yet.



Kvalheim's and the guests' cars left toward Midtenstadt, escorted by two others cars, four Juglander police motorbikes, three military jeeps as well as a helicopter in the distance. The travel was not too long, as the new highway was mostly straight line, at least before reaching a few hills nearby one of the recently constructed Midtenstadt suburbs, on the way to the city center. In their way to Midtenstadt, the Fleuroix guests could see the rather uninhabited area besides a dozen of villages and two minor  towns, a few forests in the horizon, and the view of dozens and dozens of appartment buildings being built as soon as they approached to Midtenstadt.

The cars stopped in front of a huge neoclassic style building, with a large dome with the Jugland's flag on top. "This is our new parliament, which will start sessions the next week", Kvalheim explained.

The guests were showed the main rooms and chambers, including the parliamentary chambers. "Besides a few dozens of ambassadors, including Mrs. Martin, who attended the inauguration of the building a week ago", Kvalheim explained, "you are the first foreign representative to walk through these chamberes". Then they arrived to the large hall, where they were invited to read a few lines in the parliament's guestbook. They entered a nearby chamber, when the waiters offered them appetizers and drinks, while they rested and talked for a few minutes.

"We'll go to the Federal Palace, which is going to become soon the head of the National Council", Kvalheim explained, "where the President Engelsaas is awaiting us".

It didn't take them a long time, as the Federal House was only in a closer avenue, in the middle of a huge and empty square. The building had certainly a much more modern and restrained architecture style than the parliament building. Kvalheim explained that President Engelsaas had directly come to Midtenstadt from Albrektberg the same morning, as although many ministries had started moving and operating in Midtenstadt for a week, the meetings of the Provisional Government were still being held in Albrektberg, in the building which was once the residence of the Prime Minister, which become Engelsaas residence when he was appointed as President of the Provisional Government.

"Next week, works will start as the building plans to become a museum", Kvalheim explained, "something that I did not imagine when I was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs". They started approaching the main stairs of the Federal House, where Eadwald Engelsaas, the President of the Provisional Government, was awaiting them.

"Welcome, Director Debeauson", Engelsaas said, offering his hand, as the photographers prepared for the ceremonial picture. Then, he offered him to accompany him to one large meeting room.




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Re: Saluting the people (Jugland & Fleur)
« Reply #3 on: January 14, 2021, 12:16:40 AM »

"Traditionally", Kvalheim patiently explained to Debeauson, "our people had during the breakfast. But it's a rather strong liquor, around 40% alcohol, although with a rather mixed flavour, so nowadays it's drank mostly after the meal, typically after the dinner".

"Unfortunately, I have only a general idea about the project", Kvalheim later asked about the future use of the Prime Minister's residence, "as it's not exactly a competence of my ministry. But I can ask Minister Adarrgaard, who's personally involved with the move. You'll probably have the chance to meet him during our planned celebrations", he explained referring to the Minister of Public Works and Cultural Affairs. "But it will be rather a museum dedicated to history. The residence is not a big building, and although it belonged to the royal family until it was turned into an official residence about fifty years ago, and it has so highly estimated rooms with paintings and murals, it has a rather symbolical value as there were certain political meetings and legal documents drafted and passed in the buildings, being a place of teaching of history had more sense, from that point of view".



"It is my pleasure", Engelsaas replied, "we're honoured for your visit. I hope it's the beginning of a new relationship between our nation and your republic".

"I hope our capital did not seem too menacing from the distance", Engelsaas told Debeauson when they were already in the room. "I understand the view of crane after crane without end is not too hospitable. But I hope before most of all our projects are completely finished, the city will start to feel alive, sooner than later. It's a pity you won't be able to witness it yet. However, this evening you'll have the chance to see a more pleasant sight of the city, where our plans are already successfully taking form".






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Re: Saluting the people (Jugland & Fleur)
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2021, 02:24:38 AM »

"There is certain some symbolism", Engelsaas replied, "although there are more practical motivations that influenced us toward that decision, such as to deactivate the regional tensions that accumulated before and during the last conflict, as you have probably been informed".

"I'm honoured for such original present", Engelsaas said touching lightly the present. "It brings me back to my memory the old days of my youth, as back them the handling of the word was important part of the life of the young cadets, obviously already for rather ceremonial reasons then. Although, naturally, ours weren't as magnificient as this one".

"And if you allow me to move directly to business, as it's usually said in Albrektberg", Engelsaas continued, once their meeting restarted, "we were rather surprised, positively obviously, about your offer and your visit. Not for a lack of diplomatic activity, as well as the increase of contacts and messages from other governments as our nation firmly started moving toward our new path, but still unexpected. As you probably know -Engelsaas added looking at ambassador Martin for a second-, you've the honour to be the first member of a foreign government to visit Juglander soil in five years. What's your view about the present moment of our nation, and what do you hope for Jugland-Fleur relations, if they were to be as successful as we hope they will from now, if I can ask?".


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Re: Saluting the people (Jugland & Fleur)
« Reply #5 on: January 30, 2021, 08:24:17 PM »

"We are hopeful but certainly prudent about our present and future", Engelsaas replied.

"That seems a proposal which would likely benefit both countries", Engelsaas said about the prospect of exchange of students between Jugland and Fleur. "The details would be hard to be established right now, as the new parliament will likely to pass a new education law soon, and that may change the requirements for both students and education centers. As there are still quite a few months before the new education year starts in our country, however, we can start creating a joint commission to facilitate the establishment of a system of exchange students".

"About your VISA proposal", Engelsaas continued, "we would certainly support such initiative always the requirements for students of both countries are reciprocal".

"Our Armed Forces", as you can imagine, "are already going through a period of transformation, once the peace was reestablished. Although the defense budget will be likely reduced, as you can imagine we have to face more domestic priorities, and a large numbers of our men have already being demobilized, it is my opinion that our armes forces need investment and start a period of new modernization. So we'd likely be interested to cooperate in that sector as well".


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Re: Saluting the people (Jugland & Fleur)
« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2021, 11:45:38 PM »
"I am sure with the Ambassador Martin in the commitee", Engelsaas replied, "we count in the needed goodwill to reach an agreement which benefits both countries".

"I share that opinion", he continued, "about the potentialities and adequacy of the nuclear energy compared to other sources of energy. However, our only nuclear plants, which were already rather old, became inactive as consequence of our conflict in the last years. I hope the National Council will address this issue sooner than later".

"Obviously, that's our hope as well", Engelsaas added about Debeauson's last remarks. "To be honest, our nation is moving toward certainly uncharted territories, from a historical point of view. But I hope everything advances smoothly. After all, our people aspires to peace and order, after these tragic years, and it's our mission to protect those aspirations".

« Last Edit: February 06, 2021, 03:47:42 PM by paralipomena »

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Re: Saluting the people (Jugland & Fleur)
« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2021, 04:43:08 PM »

"We'll surely consider your offer of assistance", Engelsaas replied. "However, we were forced some months to ago to establish a commission which unfortunately was forced to take the decision of starting to dismantle the nuclear plants, either for safety reasons or because the costs of restarting them would be too high, considering their technology and structure. But I hope the new Jugland's administration continues with our plan of relaunching nuclear energy in our country, as we believe it's a source of energy which could have a bright future in our country".

"Yes, indeed, just the a last subject", Engelsaas answered. "There are several political parties which support the negotiation of trade agreement with foreign countries, in order to attract investment and optimatize our exports, so I'd be interested about your view on this issue. In any case, I hope a positive relationship starts and continues between our nations. Our government offers to pay you back a diplomatic visit to your nation before one year, if that was possible, to check the agreements initiated in this meeting, as well as several businessmen from our country have showed interest to join a future delegation to Fleur, as they would be interested to study the business environment in Fleur and invest in the country".

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Re: Saluting the people (Jugland & Fleur)
« Reply #8 on: February 07, 2021, 02:17:57 AM »

"I understand that our nations had followed rather different paths through history, and that certainly had an impact in the character of our countries", Engelsaas replied. "However, I'd be honoured to visit your country, not just with the aim to strengthening the ties between our government for the benefit of both of our countries, but a chance to learn personally about your political system and style of government", he said knowning that the chances of such travel were rather low, given the present circumstances.

"I hope so", Engelsaas added. "Once the last protocol of our meeting is over", he continued, "I have given instructions for the next visit point of your agenda, so you could see a different view of our capital, and contemplate some of our projects. Of course, you're free to rest a bit, either at your own embassy or the hotel nearby, we have still time, a long day until our joint celebration starts this evening. In any case, I have assigned Mr. Vaaler, I believe you met him before, to accompany you and Mrs. Martin, serving as a guide for the next hours".



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Re: Saluting the people (Jugland & Fleur)
« Reply #9 on: February 07, 2021, 07:32:21 PM »

"It was a honour for me as well", Engelsaas replied. "I hope our meeting was the seed for a positive cooperation between our nations".

Then followed the usual steps required by the protocol, including the signing of a memorandum summarizing the main agreements and proposals discussed in the meeting, and posing for a last official photography, Engelsaas accompanied the guests through the halls of the building. "It was a pleasure", Engelsaas said to the Fleuroix guests, "I'll see you again later in evening during the ceremony and dinner".



Once the guests were ready again, Lamprecht Vaaler received them, carefully explaining them their route for the next two hours.

"We'll go to the northeastern district of the city", Vaaler explained them in their own language, "where some of the most ambitious urban projects are already being finished. There, you could see a different view of the city than you had before, and realizing the sometimes difficult task to give life to a new city, I guess".

"After that", Vaaler continued, "before to returning downtown Midtenstadt there is planned a religious ceremony nearby, as it is traditional in our country given the nature of one of the projects. I'm well aware of the well-known, ehm, official policy regarding the nature of the relation between government and religion in Fleur, but minister Kvalheim thought it could be a curious experience, from a merely personal point of view, to see a different and unique aspect of our culture and traditions from a different perspective".




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Re: Saluting the people (Jugland & Fleur)
« Reply #10 on: February 13, 2021, 08:09:05 PM »

"That's my understanding", Vaaler replied. "Obviously, when I was in Fleur we were too busy and couldn't experience much of Fleur's social life, unfortunately. Here, however, unlike Christian countries, spirituality is lived mostly as a social experience, a communal religion, you may say".



They moved to their cars, the Fleuroix in one car, and Vaaler and one assistant in another one, which took the lead just behind the first police car which escorted them. They advanced toward the northern districts, through the long avenue that crossed much of downtown Midtenstadt. As the cars moved, they could see how they were leaving the more solemn architecture toward more pragmatical buildings. Soon, the views of the cranes returned as well as appeared more and more green areas, either in the form of urban parks or untamed nature. Then, the entourage stopped in a huge and white esquare, surrounded by construction buildings, most of them still unfinished, along several hills and a wide meadow on the right.

On one side of the square they was a small delegation waiting them. As soon as they left their cars, Vaaler explained Debauson and the ambassador that the mayor of the town and minister Kvalheim were waiting them.

"I know it is said that we have built our new capital from scratch", Vaaler explained, "but technically, that's not the case. What it has become now the eastern district of our town, which you could may see through the window this morning, as you came to meet President Engelsaas, what was a small town, more like a village, which certainly lived better times a long time ago. When we decided to establish the new capital city, it barely survived as the proximity of the military base where your plane landed. Mostly families of the soldiers, as well as a few small business mostly supplying them and the military itself, with a population that barely surpassed a thousand inhabitants. It was renamed, expanded, or replaced, depedently one may phrase it, certainly. Their small population was offered either an economic compensation or offered to be established in a downtown building in Midtenstadt, which most of them were glad to do, I assume".

"If you look that tower", Vaaler continued, as they kept walking, pointing out to an old tower, which could be seen at the background, behind a hill on the right side of the square, "then you could see Vognmakenstadt, an older town, which is to become part of this northern district, renamed as Vogn-Midenstadt. As you can see, it may be a matter of a few weeks that it is physically and literally connected with downtown Midtenstadt. It was a more important town in the middle ages, when it was the largest town of this county, even province. The town witnessed an important battle between the Csletian League and the Kingdom of Jugland, back in the late 15th century. It become a personal possession of the Juglander Crown since then, I believe. Although this area was rather calm during our last war, to be honest, it was slowly becoming a wasteland since a long time ago - most of what is downtown Midtenstadt now, it was merely fields where cattle and a few wild horses ate. It is difficult to believe that was only a few months ago, isn't it?".

Then, he explained to Debauson that he was invited to put the first stone to a building which was planned to be built along the square.

"Nice to see you again, Director Debauson. I was told that President Engelsaas was gladly satisfied with your meeting", minister Kvalheim said. "I hope you could rest a bit before coming here. We'll be certainly hopeful that the proposals discussed today will become a reality sooner than expected".

"Coming back to the issue here", the mayor told them once he was introduced to the Fleuroix guests, "we hope our new Arts Museum becomes not only the largest and most important in our nation, but one of the main museums in Coft Aranye".

"I'm sure they will not be happy to hear that in Albrektberg", minister Kvalheim joked. The mayor and the foreign minister seemed to have a close and cheerful relationship. After all, the mayor had become, after he achieved the support of the Liberal Party and independent candidates, in the only top 10 Jugland's city with a mayor from the pro-government Reform Movement, the same party which Kvalheim run as candidate in the recent legislative election.

"As soon as the museum is completed, we have already prepared our first exhibition, thanks to both private donations and funds from the ministry of culture", the mayor explained to Debauson. "But we'll be happy to host sooner than later an exhibition from Fleur, so visitants are able to admire some example of what your nation's art can offer". While he was talking some waiters approached, offering drinks and small pieces of food on their trays.

Once the symbolical first stone was placed, Kvalheim invited them to a small talk while they were moving to the next destination in their agenda.

"If you don't mind walking", Kvalheim told them, "we can calmly move there. We have time and it's less than a km. from here".





« Last Edit: February 20, 2021, 06:42:55 PM by paralipomena »

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Re: Saluting the people (Jugland & Fleur)
« Reply #11 on: February 21, 2021, 11:41:59 PM »
(...continued)

(Disclaimer: killing of animals described in the post)


"Coming back to the issue here", the mayor told them once he was introduced to the Fleuroix guests, "we hope our new Arts Museum becomes not only the largest and most important in our nation, but one of the main museums in Coft Aranye".

"I'm sure they will not be happy to hear that in Albrektberg", minister Kvalheim joked. The mayor and the foreign minister seemed to have a close and cheerful relationship. After all, the mayor had become, after he achieved the support of the Liberal Party and independent candidates, in the only top 10 Jugland's city with a mayor from the pro-government Reform Movement, the same party which Kvalheim run as candidate in the recent legislative election.

"As soon as the museum is completed, we have already prepared our first exhibition, thanks to both private donations and funds from the ministry of culture", the mayor explained to Debauson. "But we'll be happy to host sooner than later an exhibition from Fleur, so visitants are able to admire some example of what your nation's art can offer". While he was talking some waiters approached, offering drinks and small pieces of food on their trays.

Once the symbolical first stone was placed, Kvalheim invited them to a small talk while they were moving to the next destination in their agenda.

"If you don't mind walking", Kvalheim told them, "we can calmly move there. We have time and it's less than a km. from here".



Once they left the square, they continued their walk through a stone pavement which had being built at both sides of the fields. "Unlike other areas of the capital, we have barely planned a few residential buildings around here, besides a few hotels, it will be mostly buildings dedicated to the public use, such as the museum back there, some public swimming pools, libraries, and other areas of interests", mayor explained. "Behind those hills, they would mostly destined to some parks and even a project for a small natural park. Although it's difficult to know how much will this city grow in the future, of course".

“As maybe Lamprecht explained you”, Kvalheim said, “these lands belonged to the Kingdom of Jugland since several centuries ago. However, their use were ceded by the then monarch to the Order of Werden around two centuries ago. Legally, these matters can be often complicated. Fortunately, the Order offered to give these lands to the local government by a symbolical price – something certainly quite helpful, as consequence of budget constraints, you can imagine. In exchange, the local government offered to build religious residences, a new religious school, and two temples in the area”.

“We have arrived”, an assitant told Kvalheim. They descended through the stone stairs. On the left, they could see more building projects. “A college campus will be built there”, the mayor explained them. On the middle, still on the grass, they could see about dozens of seats, while a crowd were looking behind their fences in the background. In front of that there was a small circle of stone, while a small altar which, from afar, may look rather as some kind of cauldron.

“It’s about to start”, Vaaler told the Fluoix guests. “We thought you wouldn’t too comfortable on the frontbenchs, so we reserved that area, in that terrace besides the stairs. You could get a more panoramic view, after all”.

As people were already waiting on their seats, they could see a half dozen of girls and young women slowly approaching from the other promenade. Most of them looked between 16 and 18 years old, although two of them looked slightly older than that. They wearing white clothing and tunic, which included some kind of hood or bonnet. Two of them were holding big bags, while another was holding a large blanket with covered some relatively large form (at least compared to the height of the girl). Another girl was holding a tray which seemed to have several kind of knives.

“This is a traditional ceremony of enshrinement and purification”, Vaaler explained. “It’s not exactly the typical religious ceremony, which obviously includes a liturgy and a longer time”. While  Vaaler was talking, two of them approached the altar, throwing some kind of inflammatory liquid, along some charcoal pieces, which created almost immediately a moderate fire.

Three other women slowly approached. The older woman of the group was wearing distinct clothing, and, unlike the other priestess, her head was uncovered. The other two women, who marched at both of her sides, escorting her, were wearing clothing similar to the young priestesses, although their tunics seemed to have a more sotisficated embroidery. As soon as they appeared, everyone stood up from their seats.

“She is the Supreme Prietess of the Order of Werden”, Vaaler explained, “the head of the Order, and the most important member of the clergy. The other two women are known as High Priestesses. In this case, the title doesn’t imply any kind of hierarchy...they mostly serve as personal assistant for the Supreme Priestess”. As they approached to the altar, the other young women bowed their heads and kneeled down as a sign of respect.

As the Supreme Priestess bowed her head as sign to the women, one of the young girl uncovered the blanket, showing a tiny lamb, which, although it looked dazed it was still alive. Then, the ritual sacrifice started, which consisted in one of the girls cutting the throat of the poor animal while other  girl held a small bowl,and once there was enough blood on the bowl, beheaded the lamb. Then, the Supreme Priestess was offered the bowl, washing her own hands in the blood of the now deceased creature. As she did that, another of the young women assisted in removing the heart of the headless animal.

“In the late 19th and early 20th centuries”, Vaaler commented, “some Juglander social critics liked to point out the apparent irony, in their view, of the vow of celibacy of the innocent assistant priestesses and the rawness of some of our rituals…”.

Before he could finish, the Supreme Priestess was offered both the head and the heart of the dead animal, which she held in each hand, starting the most sacred aspect of the ritual. Then, the priestesses intoned in unison a solemn religious plegary, quite lyrical but rather with the entonation of a mourning chant. As it was traditional, the plegary had a structure of groups of three verses, the first one of a rather symbolical meaning intoned by the Supreme Priestess with a dry tone, while the other two verses had a more narrative content and they were intoned with an increasing more energic tone. One the chant was over, the Supreme Priestess threw the head and the heart to the fire, and pronounced a final verse, which sounded more like a murmur.

The Supreme Priestess nodded her head again, this time to the oldest of the girls, and then they proceed to throw the rest of the corpse of the lamb to the altar. Three of the girls carefully worked that the flame of the fires increased. Soon, the smell of the burned flesh was becoming too evident.

The Supreme Priestess turned back and left the place, accompanied with her two assistant. About a minute later, half of the other girls left as well, while the other three girls kept looking at the altar, motionless, with a rather serious expression.
“They will remain there for 48 hours”, Vaaler explained, “taking care that the flames aren’t extinguished. Then the construction of the temple could be started. It’s a tradition which have been followed since immemorial times, it is said”.

“Our cars are already waiting us”, Vaaler continued, after he carefully tried to read the guests’ facial expressions for a few seconds. “Our joint celebrations will be held in the southern district. After that, there is a dinner in the halls of the local government building. I believe the Supreme Priestess may attend the dinner, I was told, as well as other important people from Midtenstadt”.



They cars moved back to downtown Midtenstadt, where the joint cultural celebrations were going to be held. The prepared performance was not expected to offer unforessen and unpredictable result, and not only that the details were discussed and pacted with a team from the Fleuoix embassy. Still, they were aimed to leave a positive and pleasant impression, with the aim to consolidate an already hopeful beginning for Fleuoix-Juglander relations. A combination of fireworks, dances, drama of both comical and historical elements, music, and parades had been prepared. A performance, certainly unprecedented in Jugland in the recent years, as it was a long time such intercultural mixture was offered. Following the celebration, a dinner was organized, where dishes of both countries were offered in a banquet where much of the political, cultural, and economic elite of Albrektberg and Midtenstadt would attend. But the real work would start only after Debeauson returned to his country, and it would be confirmed if this journey will consolidate an unexpected cooperation or, instead, only offer a few promising but fruitless prospects.