Not far
from the Praterstern subway station in Vienna, you end up at the border of the
Republic of Kugelmugel, a surface-minimizing micro-nation founded by Edwin
Lipburger. The Republic of Kugelmugel declared independence in 1984. Its
address is "2, Antifaschismusplatz" (2, Anti-Fascism Square, 2 refers
to the 2nd district Leopoldstadt)
The
story behind this globular nation is as follows: Edwin Lipburger wanted to
build a spherical house, believing that it was the shape most in harmony with
nature. He called the building "Kugelmugel", which roughly means
"Ball Hill". When authorities complained that he lacked building
permit and had to tear the structure down, Edwin responded by declaring the
ball a nation of its own and started issuing money and stamps.
After a
bit of to-and-fro, the house ended up being moved to the Vienna Prater, and
Edwin ended up being moved to jail for refusing to pay Austrian taxes. (The
Austrian president saw the comedy in it all and pardoned him.) Edwin continued
his battle with the bureaucracy, which, to anyone even vaguely familiar with
the Austrian "Amt"-culture, must be seen as a David versus Goliath
battle.
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