‘You Need a Crisis Before the World Starts Listening To You’
Welcome to De Facto’s new interview series, in which we interview scientists, artists and journalists about contested borders. We kick off with political scientist Ramesh Ganohariti, who has recently co-authored a book on sub-state recognition. ‘States have become more emboldened to throw the international playbook out of the window.’
Jorie Horsthuis | 11 Mar 2026
Left Out In the Cold
For decades, the separatist Moldovan region of Transnistria has been able to count on practically free gas from Russia. When that changed last year, the impact on the lives of the local community was immense. What are the prospects for this self-declared republic? “We constantly talk about the coming winter.”
Max Smedes | 8 Dec 2025
Vlieland filmfestival
Who is going on a trip with us? Off the Map is teaming up with Podium Vlieland, the cutest filmtheater on the island Vlieland, in the north of the Netherlands to organize a film-weekend on February 20-22, 2026. Through films, we will travel to unrecognized countries, micronations, disputed border areas, and other geographical oddities. And beyond the news and geopolitics, we explore wondrous places and captivating human stories.
De Facto | 3 Dec 2025
Globalicious
Get lost in a lovely in Around the world in 200 Globes, a new publication of Luster by Willem Jan Neutelings. This book is a world in itself, with each highlighted globe telling its own story, whether it’s about trends, materials, political borders and scientific frontiers in the 20th century. A must for our readership.
Suzanne Hendriks | 24 May 2025
The second edition of Off the Map in The Hague
With music from the choir Slavuj singing songs from the Balkan and the Black Sea area, where borders still scar the surface and Dutch-Kurdish filmmaker Reber Dosky about his work in Kurdistan. Of course also with graphic designer Floor Koomen with a talk about the United Koreans, a quiz by Suzanne Hendriks and moderation by Jorie Horsthuis.
Suzanne Hendriks | 14 May 2025
De Facto’s First Off the Map in The Hague
With music from Ukrainian born Alex Tugushin about borders that turn into battlefields and professor Henk van Houtum about why we should change our maps and atlases. Of course also with graphic designer Floor Koomen with a talk about Cabinda, a quiz by Suzanne Hendriks and moderation by Jorie Horsthuis.
Suzanne Hendriks | 18 Mar 2025
De Facto Live On Tour #5
With writer Eva Vriend on new and old land in the province of Flevoland and music from Ukrainian born Alex Tugushin who shared his worries with us. Graphic designer Floor Koomen took us to space with micronation Celestia, Jorie Horsthuis shared her impressions from Kosovo and there was a quiz by researcher Suzanne Hendriks.
Suzanne Hendriks | 6 Feb 2025
Struggles on Stamps–West-Papua
Struggles about states are usually accompanied by discussions, diplomatic rows, border issues, threats and sometimes even full-blown wars. But if you take the time to zoom in, you will find that these struggles also tend to unfold on tiny pieces of paper – stamps, the smallest expression of self determination.
Jan Heijs Suzanne Hendriks | 30 Dec 2024
De Facto Live On Tour #4
The evening was filled with islands, imaginary countries and music from areas where the borders never really consolidated. With Adwin de Kluyver, Nelis Smouter and Balkan choir Slavuj. Graphic designer Floor Koomen about Cabinda and a quiz by Suzanne Hendriks. Moderation: Jorie Horsthuis.
Suzanne Hendriks | 18 Oct 2024
De Facto Live On Tour #3
With Ukrainian musician Oleg Lysenko, Elten-born Wim Tjerkstra on post-war border corrections and professor Henk van Houtum about why we should change our maps and atlases. Of course also with graphic designer Floor Koomen with a talk about stamps, a quiz by Suzanne Hendriks and moderation by Jorie Horsthuis.
Suzanne Hendriks | 3 Jun 2024
The Scars of Eurovision 2024
Our explorer Jonathan Casewell has been following the Eurovision Song contest for years. He was was present at the Jury rehearsal this year and writes about the politics of this festival. ‘Underneath the sleekness and dazzle, an awkwardness was beginning to grow.’
Jonathan Casewell | 19 May 2024