Where is Viva Verdis? The country is claimed in a territory known as “Pocket 3,” an unclaimed forested area about the size of the Vatican. It lies between Croatia and Serbia. After the Croatian war of independence ended in 1995, the border dispute left several small parcels of land unclaimed. Verdis is one of these parcels.
How the Idea of Viva Verdis Began?
Daniel Jackson, born in Australia and now living in Dover, England, declared the Free Republic of Verdis in 2019. He explained that the idea first came to him when he was 14. Later, influenced by humanitarian workers in Ukraine, he developed the project to create a neutral state and a hub for NGOs.
Establishing the Settlement
Jackson said that in October 2023, he and his supporters attempted to establish a settlement in Verdis. Within days, Croatian authorities destroyed it. Jackson received a permanent ban from Croatia, while other settlers were banned for three months. He stated that before these events, he had planted a flag, carried out surveys, and performed cadastral work on the land.Inspiration from Liberland
The idea of Viva Verdis is often compared with Liberland, another self-proclaimed country on unclaimed land between Croatia and Serbia. Liberland was declared in 2015 by Czech politician Vít Jedlička. It offers virtual citizenship and promotes cryptocurrency but is not recognized by any state. Croatian authorities have restricted access to Liberland. Jackson notes that while there are similarities, Verdis is intended to be a real settlement where people can live and try new governance systems.Viva Verdis Citizenship and Passports
Jackson claims that 15,000 people have applied for citizenship in the Free Republic of Verdis. Around 400 people have been issued physical passports and identification cards. He said that while some individuals have managed to cross borders using Verdisian documents, the state does not encourage this unless official recognition is achieved.
Daily Life of the Founder
Daniel Jackson currently lives in Dover, where he spends time with friends and plays video games. Despite this ordinary lifestyle, he continues to work on plans for Verdis. According to the official Verdis website, he and his ministers are preparing to protest outside the Croatian embassy in London. They also plan to organize community meetings in local cafes and pubs.The Future of Viva Verdis
Jackson sees Viva Verdis as a chance to test new models of governance. He envisions it as a place where people from different countries can start fresh. Despite opposition from neighboring countries, Jackson maintains that the Free Republic of Verdis will continue to grow, even if for now it mostly exists online.FAQs
Where is Viva Verdis located?
Viva Verdis is in “Pocket 3,” an unclaimed strip of land between Serbia and Croatia, left unresolved after the Croatian war of independence ended in 1995.
Who founded Viva Verdis and why?
Viva Verdis was founded by Daniel Jackson in 2019. He created it as a neutral state and humanitarian hub, inspired by his connections with aid workers in Ukraine.
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