De Facto Live #4

With historian Thomas von der Dunk about South Tyrol, film maker Ineke Smits about Abkhazia, graphic designer Floor Koomen about Cabinda and journalist Jorie Horsthuis about EuroStaete. Quiz by Suzanne Hendriks.

Suzanne de Bruin

What happens to a community when identity and nationality do not match? We interviewed historian Thomas von der Dunk who wrote a book about the contested region of South Tyrol. He explained why inhabitants argue that ‘Süd Tirol ist nicht Italien’ and how you can still find the differences between the communities in the details, like the way they use their balconies.

Suzanne de Bruin

Film maker Ineke Smits showed several poetic clips from her documentary Little Man, Time and the Troubadour, that tells the story of one of the most famous artists of Abkhazia. What is it like to live in this de facto state in the Caucasus, and how does the political situation impact the lives of the people in this region?

Jorie Horsthuis

And what about the kalashnikov on the coin of Cabinda, the disputed exclave of Angola? Floor Koomen went into the details and searched for the issuer of this coin, who happened to be a con man who presented himself as the Duke of Cabinda, representing the national bank too. He sold bonds, stamps, crude oil, and this coin - and is now a doctor in Brazil.

Suzanne de Bruin

Is there really a micronation within the Dutch borders? Yes, there is. Jorie Horsthuis took us to the founders of EuroStaete and told us about her rather tense encounter with these curious men. Read her full story here to see how it ended.

Suzanne de Bruin

Last but not least, Suzanne Hendriks invited us to her quiz about the numerous ways countries try to solve border issues without going to war. Her questions led to fierce discussions among the audience, especially when it came to the time zones of Antarctica.

Our next event will be on September 22 in De Roode Bioscoop. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about the program. See you there!