Kalistan

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Emperor is Married
Countess Elizabeth of Luxon now assumes the title of Empress of Ananto and Kalistan
Eveari, Ananto
April 12, 5159


Emperor and Empress of Ananto and Kalistan marry in Brethrenist Ceremony in Eveari

The Emperor of Ananto and Kalistan is now married, fulfilling the long standing request of the Institutionalist Government of Kalistan, and setting Ananto up as a fully restored dynasty. The Empreor became engaged five years ago, but the marriage was delayed for several years due to logistics and pressing state matters. But it finally happened today to the Premier's, and the Nation's great relief.

The marriage occurred in traditional Brethrenist fashion in the Emperor's backyard in Eveari. The Brethrenist ceremony, which involved guests attending a silent meeting, and the occasional visitor speaking out of the silence, before the Bride and Groom each offer words of admiration for one another as well as any affirmations they wish to tell their betrothed, which stand in the place of wedding vows, was followed by a signing of the Marriage Certificate which states the name and displays the signature of those married, and requires the signature of all who attended the ceremony. Following the service, the entire meeting was asked to walk with the Emperor and Empress through the street of Eveari, as the Emperor and his new bride greeted the citizens of the Imperial Seat as well as the thousands of others who turned out to wish the new couple well.


After a quick change of clothes, the Emperor and Empress lead a parade through Eveari in celebration of their Marriage.

The Ceremony was attended by about 60 people, mostly the Bride's close friends and family, with a few of the Emperor's close friends also Present. The Prime Minister represented the Government at the Ceremony, and also in Attendance were the Istalian Emperor Tommaso and Empress Elisa, who invited the Emperor to their wedding, and to whom the Emperor greeted warmly, glad to renew ties with his Istalian counterpart once more. Queen Catherine and Duc Phillipe of Lourenne were also in attendance, as Kalistan's long time allies and close economic partners renewed their relations with Kalistan. Kalistan also played host to a representative of the Foreign Department of Tropica, Aneterea Seuava, who arrived in Kaliburg for the festivities and was immediately met by the Kalistani Foreign Minister Kerry Walters, who travelled with the Dovani dignitary to Eveari.

The crowd of well wishers who greeted the Emperor on the Parade Route included nearly all of Kalistan's 79 Deputies, members of several Kalistani bands, and several movie stars. Dress was definitely casual for such an auspicious event, but this was on request of the Emperor, who adheres to the Brethrenist Testimony of Simplicity in Dress. The Emperor wore a coat and tophat to the wedding, keeping his hat on during the ceremony in Brethrenist tradition, but removed it as he and the Empress embarked on the Parade. The Empress donned a gown donated to her by Hutorian/Kalistani Fashion house Cooper & Probert. Most visitors dressed simply, and even the visiting foreign dignitaries were not outlandish or ostentatious in their choice of clothing.


The Emperor and the Empress exchange words of Care and Affirmation during the Ceremony

Following the Ceremony and the signing of the marriage certificate, the Emperor offered a short speech to those assembled at the meeting.

"Friends, I greet you here today, and request your ongoing support and care for this marriage. My wife and I have lived like a married couple for nearly half a decade now, but now that she is ascended to the Office of Empress of Ananto and Kalistan, we will both require a deeper commitment on your part to our well being. By attending this ceremony, you take our union into your concern, more so than does the entire Nation of Kalistan. We ask that you celebrate the good times we will have together with us, but also be observant for any strife or struggle in this new relationship, as sometimes the trials of our office will strain our personal relationship, and if you see anything personally which you think we could use help with, you do not hesitate to share your part of the Truth with us. Keep us in the Light of the Truth, and in your thoughts and prayers to who ever you pray to, and we will welcome your blessings and care. Now let us go forth and greet the people of our Great Nation."

With this benediction, the Emperor and Empress went to change for the Parade procession.

The nuptial ceremony completed, the new Empress ascends to the Throne of Ananto and Kalistan, such as it is. She will be granted an office in Kaliburg, and will serve as the Emperor's representative at state functions abroad when the Emperor is required at home. She will legally speak with the same authority of the Emperor, and unlike other Imperial and royal spouses, shall not be considered an Empress Consort, but will be given the title of Empress of Ananto and Kalistan. The Government is expected to draft a law which will permit the Emperor to pass any title, including Sovereign of Ananto and Kalistan, to the Empress either temporarily or permanently in case of his incapacitation or death, and while the Emperor is out of Kalistan, the Empress will serve in full capacity in the place and with full proxy of the Emperor here in Kalistan.


Empress Elizabeth's Father and Mother (right) as the parade prepares to leave the Emperor's home toward Eveari.

"We are thrilled that Kalistan now has an Empress," said Premier Bennots. "It's about time. This is the next step toward fully institutionalizing the Dynasty and ensuring its permanence here in Kalistan, regardless of any republican sentiments that may still be harbored in Kalistan." The Premier personally thanked all guests including the Foreign Dignitaries for attending, and following the march, a great public feast was held with food and drinks for all. Celebrations across the country were held in conjunction with the Marriage complete with music by local and national artists, and plenty of food, drink and drugs. "Kalistanis never need an excuse to throw a Party," said Bennots. "But this is a pretty good one, I'll say." The Emperor and Empress, for their part, stayed at the public festival held in their honor in Eveari until late in the evening, and then retired, the Emperor still sober as the day he was born.

We thank all who attended our Nation's celebration and join the wellwishers in saying "Cheers" to the Newly married couple.

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Liberals dissolve once again, as hostile opposition to Empire Fades
Emperor to lay out land transfers
Kaliburg, Ananto
August 7, 5162


Emperor remains above politics as his office prepares to unveil ambitious nobility program

The Institutionalists' first electoral contest since overseeing the change from Republic to Empire was a disaster of a result. The prevailing automatic advantage for new Parties, also known as "The Shiny Object Bonus" which rewards Parties who haven't really done anything over those who have to defend a record, granted the upstart Liberal Republicans almost a 2-1 seat count in the National Assembly. Despite not advancing an agenda of any kind other than attempting to impose a police state and working to ban tobacco, as all Liberal Parties do in Kalistan, the LRP gained 50 seats in the last election, almost making a Constitutional Absolute majority. They fell just 3 seats short of their main goal, which was legislative revolution.

However, having failed to obtain this number on their first outing, they dissolved into thin air. The National Assembly held a perfunctory election to refill the seats and the Institutionalist Deputies who lost their seats were instantly re-elected. The path is now completely clear for the Emperor to begin the administrative reforms that will create Counties and assign Counts to them. These administrative districts will come with titles of nobility that will be issued to outstanding Residents of the region and will come with a number of responsibilities, such as maintaining the health and welfare of the County, as well as raising and training the County's component of the Regular Military. "The most that will be expected of any one county is two companies of regulars, in whatever capacity the General Staff requires. These will complement the Standing Regular Forces in times of war, and otherwise, can be used as auxiliaries to handle disasters or more localized emergencies," said Col. Xavier Donnelly, Kalistani Minister of Defense. "We expect that these local forces will act similar to the Militia, and will be nationalized during war time."

In addition, the Emperor is expected to name a number of Cities "free cities" which do not fall under the jurisdiction of a Count. "Life in cities is much different than life in the countryside," opined Fredrich Carr, his Majesty's Interior Minister. "While in consultation with the Emperor about this administrative reform, we wanted to make it clear that capital cities like Sulari or Kaliburg should be self governing, and democratic, if at all possible. In this sense, they would owe allegiance only to the National Government, rather than falling under the administration of Counts or Dukes." The Minister further said that smaller towns would likely have Barons placed over them, the authority of which would be derived from the Count.

It is expected that Kalistan will be divided up into anywhere between 3-7 Counties per Duchy, which could yield as many as 35 Counties, as well as at least 7 Free Cities. More land is expected to go with less populous areas, meaning that some of the largest counties will be found in Odufaray, Neveras and Vrassa. "The County system is something that Kalistan has not had for many centuries," said Minister Carr. "We no longer even have accurate records of the old Counties but it is likely that many counties will end up the same just by pure accident. The rivers which will form the borders of some counties haven't changed that much in thousands of years, for example." This administrative reform is long overdue and it is believed, will yield a deeper entrenchment in the Imperial Structure of Ananto and Kalistan.

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Following 40 years of rule, Kalistan's first Emperor meets his end
Empress Elizabeth to formally Succeed Fredrich I
Kalistan, Ananto
January 18, 5198


A small procession carried the body of the Late Emperor Fredrick I Ananto to the funeral train to Eveari

Following a 49 year long reign which saw the establishment of the Monarchy and the construction of the basic institutions of Imperial Government, His Imperial Might Emperor Fredrick I Ananto, Emperor of Ananto and Kalistan, died last night, reportedly of old age. The first Imperial Ruler of Kalistan in more than 1000 years was reportedly suffering from mental decline in recent years and has been under the supervision of doctors for more than a month before succumbing to complications related to Alzheimer's disease. The Emperor was laid out in Kalistan, where he was presiding ex officio over a conference of Mayors, and will be brought back to a small forest near Eveari where according to his wishes, he will be allowed to undergo what is known as a natural process of decomposition. This process involves not being embalmed, but instead being buried in a simple pine box in a shallow grave and having a small apple tree planted over his body. Over the next few years, the mortal remains of the Emperor will slowly return to the soil, and what will remain will be the apple tree.

While the Emperor and the Empress Elizabeth had two sons and one daughter, the next in line for the throne is the surviving Empress, who is herself 73 years old. She will be known as Elizabeth I Ananto, and will take her husband's titles as well as his imperial authority, and shall rule until her death or retirement. Her son, David, The Crown Prince of Ananto and Kalistan, will succeed her when she leaves the throne, and then succession will travel through David's family. The command of the Emperor that his wife shall be co-ruler, has stalled David's accession to the throne, but there is no word whether David will carry on the tradition when he becomes Emperor. As her first act, Empress Elizabeth has decreed a national day of reflection in memory of her husband.

Fredrick I Ananto is now a memory, and we hope the reign of the Empress is long and peaceful.

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Funk Concert celebrates New Empress
"Kalistani Music needs to be a little funkier!" says Jimmy Stein
Kaliburg, Ananto
February 20, 5198


The Stein Gang headline Kaliburg Funk Fest

Funk isn't often music that finds much airtime in the Capital these days. But the Accession of the new Empress is "as good of an excuse as any" to throw a Funk Festival on the National Mall, according to festival organizers.

"Kalistan is a little stale," said Stein Gang Lead Singer/Guitarist/Keyboardist Jimmy Stein, who headlined the newly christened Kaliburg Funk Fest. "We got a new Empress. It's time to get Funky!"

The festival aimed at raising the profile of the music form in the minds of residents of Kalistan. "We've been here a long time, Baby," said Dianne DuGard, of the funk trio Funk Ya Junk. "Funk was part of the RF scene way back at the beginning, and funk has formed the connective thread running through most dance music in this country's history." From audience response, the festival hit the spot. Music fans from ages 15-50 came out to jam, eat hotdogs and Kalopian gyros, and dance to the groovy rhythms laid down by 13 bands over two nights. Each band played a set of about six tracks, and all of them wished the new Empress Long Life and Good Luck.

Funk Festival Organizers wanted to emphasize this aspect. "Funk is traditionally fairly apolitical" said Bill Greene, a 25 year old funk fan and chief investor in the Funk Festival Project, who sponsored this year's festival. "But we wanted to have a show where people could get down and wish the new Empress Well. We grieved with her when we lost the Emperor, and now we wish her the best and ask her to begin moving Kalistan away from Stagnation." It is unclear whether the Empress was aware of the Festival, but as she was in residence on the Mall during the weekend, the crowd of people and loud funky bands couldn't be completely ignored.

"We think she digs Funk," said Greene, of the 73 year old Monarch. "She used to be in an RF band. How can she not?" Whether the Empress was entertained or not, Green called the festival a success. "Well, the concert was attended by more than 7,000 over two nights here on the Mall, and lots of bands, including our headliners The Stein Gang, gave great performances and got their name out there. That's a complete success in my book."

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New Empress Signals Change at first Advisory Committee Meeting
"We aim to revitalize Kalistani Society" says new Monarch
Kaliburg, Ananto
March 17 5198


Empress Elizabeth I sees chance for new beginning

The new Empress met with her Advisory Council today for the first time since her Accession to the Throne of the Empire. In her opening admonition to the Government, she called for "new Ideas" and expressed her desire to revitalize the Culture of Kalistan. "Over my tenure as Empress, we have largely focused on holding the line and maintaining the legitimacy of the Crown. But this has also contributed to a sense of stagnation in our once vibrant and important society. This is something I would like to see changed."

The Empress announced a set of initiatives to encourage investment in arts and sciences, technological and financial innovation, and increased trade and commerce with the world. "Kalistani schools used to be welcoming to great thinkers from around the globe. Our stages used to host the greatest musical and artistic talent from Seleya and beyond. And we used to open our doors to immigration to constantly keep our social order in constant renewal and growth. These last four decades have been an age of inward focus, of survival rather than thriving, and of rising suspicion of the outside world. We have first prioritized stability and regularity and then we have grown complacent, and then we have raised a generation of people who have a smaller world vision for Kalistan and the world than previous ones. I would like to see that reversed."

The Empress' speech was greeted politely by Institutionalist Ministers, who themselves are new to their positions. The loudest supporter of the Empresses proposals in the meeting was the Premier, Gina Fernandez, the 36 year old Party organizer from Yoshimi, who was promoted by the Party to Leader just last year after the last set of retirements finally saw the end of the founding generation in the Assembly. "I share the Empress' vision," said the Premier. "Institutionalism has never meant freezing Kalistan in time, nor should it. We now have the chance to make a change, and we look forward to maintaining the full confidence of the Empress."

Other older members of the National Government seemed more circumspect. "We shall see," said incoming Finance Minister Nadine Vera. "It will be up to the Premier and the Empress to work together to put some meat on the bones of these broad proposals. And additionally, we should make it clear that while our Sovereign reigns, we govern. We want to try to maintain a strict strict boundary between the offices of the Executive and the Legislature."

The Empress currently enjoys a positive favorability rating of 61% as most Kalistani citizens report sympathy for the Empress and also general allegiance to the Crown. If the Empress' policies can find some daylight in the Assembly, it is expected that she will remain popular during her tenure as Empress, and will leave the Crown in better shape than she obtained it.

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"Why is Kalistan an Empire?"
Political theorists and Historians gather in National Symposium on Regimes
Kaliburg, Ananto
July 31, 5198


Political Scientists attend workshop on Kalistani Political History at National Regime Symposium this month

"Why is Kalistan an Empire?" was the theme of a Recent Symposium on Regimes held at Kaliburg National University in Kaliburg earlier this month. More that 450 scholars, think tank analysts, and philosophers attended the three day event which featured more than 20 panel discussions on the various aspect of the National Government.

Jill Greenbriar, associate Professor of Political Science at High Bong University in Neveras was the invited Keynote Speaker for the conference, and summed up her speech to the Symposium: "Kalistan has most recently been a fierce advocate of the Republican Tradition, which was formally in place in Kalistan for more than a millennium, under largely Socialist government. However, our ties to Empire stretch further back into the past: So far in fact that Republicanism, though a thousand years old, seems like a newborn compared to the history of the Empire. Our recent experiments with the regime form aim at stability in our body politic, in our economy, and in our government that a Republic, with its electoral and legislative chaos simply cannot provide."

Dr. Greenbriar suggested that when adopting the Institutionalist Agenda, and re-establishing the Imperial Throne, Kalistanis expressed their willingness to trade a meaningless vote for President for continuity in the office. "There was a reaction of course," admitted Greenbriar. "The People thought that empowering a monarch meant that their duties to the society were through. We have discovered over the largely inert reign of Emperor Fredrick, that it is still up to the people to Keep Kalistan from sinking into stagnation and atrophy. I believe the Institutionalists under Empress Elizabeth are beginning to show some signs of life once more, and will take up the charge of revitalization after what has been a four decade long period of 'nothingness'."

Some panels asked a different version of the Question, however; "Why an Empire and not, say a Kingdom, or a Parliamentary Republic?" Dr. Lisa Edwards, of Sulari District University, answered this question in his panel. "Kalistan and Ananto, while welded into one people, over the course of thousands of year of cultural homogenization, have never really been a single political unit. When separatist movements have appeared throughout our history, they either appeared in Ananto, or on the Mainland, but never both. Our National Government has always treated Ananto as somehow separate from the Mainland. And cultural attitudes also bear this out: For example, voters on the mainland tend to be more conservative, and more favorable to larger Government roles in the lives of individuals, while Ananto has a definite libertarian streak. The identification of the Socialist Party with Ananto, ensured that Anantonese priorities governed the Mainland. Music is different, clothing is different, architecture is different, attitudes about the world, language... you name it. Ananto feels a bit wild to those who arrive from Kalistan proper, and Kalistan feels backward compared to the Capital. The political regime therefore respects that difference as it sets up grand duchies in Ananto and Kalistan, and governs them with separate hierarchies under a unified Crown. That is the essential definition therefore of an empire."

Asked if in becoming an empire, Kalistan has made any claims over foreign nations, Historian Larry Sanderson answered "Kalistan's historical claims over former northern Seleyan territories including Lodamun, Gaduridos and Eastern Baltusia have not actively been pursued. Those claims date back to prehistory, and given the state of the modern world, it is doubtful that Kalistan could pursue these claims with any hope of satisfactory resolution. Our longstanding claim over Lourenne is a more modern one which has been thrown about by various nationalistic elements in our Government and especially in our media, but in my research I was unable to ascertain the historical basis for that claim. We do note that the Anantonese Empire once made colonies of Sekowo and Dolgaria, but it is not clear whether we ever had any outposts located in Lourenne, so I had to conclude that those claims to Lourenne specifically are ahistoric."

When Sanderson was asked if Kalistan ever had any plans to expand, he was clear: "There is no indication that Kalistan is an expansionist nation. We have historically been opposed to war which wasn't in defense of our national territory, and do not readily intervene in actions in foreign states. The one thing that is clear, however, is that The Imperial State will continue to insist upon its rights in the Strait, and will never abandon those claims."

All in all, the conference was well attended and shed important light on the current state and function of the Kalistani Government, which hasn't really been discussed at such an elevated level to date, and this insight will provide political observers and social scientists a light of understanding going forward.

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Foreign Minister Robert Stuart Makes Visit to Port Swedes
Welcomes foreign Opposition leader from Dankuk
Port Swedes, Vrassa
October 7, 5198


Foreign Minister Stuart arrives waves to a small crowd of Institutionalists before meeting with Dankuk Opposition leader

The Foreign Minister of the Empire of Ananto and Kalistan arrived on an unscheduled visit to the International terminal at Port Swedes where the foreign opposition leader, Park Je-Sang from the Republic of Dankuk has been residing for the last three days. The visiting Kyo opposition leader fled his home country, and was reportedly in talks with the Kalistani government to seek refuge in the Empire.

While the Foreign Minister did not make a statement following the meeting, Government spokespeople responded to reporters who asked about the meeting: "Mr. Park is one of a persecuted political class due to his affiliation with the deposed democratic Government of that State. The Empire of Ananto and Kalistan does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with The Republic of Dankuk, and we do not recognize the Government of the Dankuk National Workers Association which came to power illegitimately, and proceeded to attack its political and cultural enemies. The official policy of our government is that we welcome all refugees and will help all new arrivals seek a permanent place to settle within the Empire where they may maintain their unique identity as they slowly integrate into the Kalistani Population at large." There was no additional word about the political situation in Dankuk.

Following the meeting with Park, the Foreign Minister continued to Vrassa City to dedicate a new library in the International Affairs Department at Vrassa District University and meet with students to encourage them to enter into a career in Foreign Service.

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Following grant through KALENCON, Ananto to see first large scale fusion plant
Plants to replace local reactors and power entire Duchy
Bozo River Fusion Center, Ananto
January 10, 5199


New Larger Scale Z-Pinch Fusion Reactor at BRFC to come online in May

For just over one hundred years, Kalistan has relied upon clean inexpensive fusion reactors to light and heat our homes. These mini-reactors, each supplying about 2.8 Gigawatts of power built primarily near the Ocean due to fuel requirements, have allowed the nation to wean itself off of fossil fuel. As new demands for electricity develop, including the slow but steady switch to electric automobiles, the replacement of natural gas heating units with electric ones, and a population whose zones of living tend to be growing horizontally rather than vertically, the demands on the century old infrastructure have been increasing, while new infrastructure seems to be built on a case by case need.

KALENCON now oversees more than 40 of these small scale Fusion Reactors across the country. As these age, they also become more expensive to maintain, and are only replaced on a one for one basis when maintenance cost outstrips the cost of a purchase of a new reactor. To this end, engineers with the National Energy Company have decided that it is time to begin building higher capacity reactors which can light tens of millions of homes from a single reactor.

"We envision replacing the relatively lower yield local power generators with new higher capacity ones," said KALENCON's spokeswoman Dianna Marie. "Building Three new High Yield reactors, each of which produce 15 gigawatts per Duchy will save millions in maintenance costs a year, and will return the cost of provision of electric to the nominal fee that people paid when we originally began the project more than 100 years ago."

Having an abundance of power will further facilitate people living a good life in the Empire. "Our biggest complaint," said Vernon Lorre of Kaliburg, "is that we are always having to ration what we use. If we want to charge the car we have to turn off the lights. If we want to run a refrigerator and an air conditioner and a computer, it feels like during peak hours, we have to pick one to shut off while we do the others. More energy allotment per family will certainly be a real benefit."

The larger scale reactors will begin coming on line in May of this year in Ananto, Suldanor and Vrassa, and the oldest small scale reactors will be decommissioned starting in June. "KALENCON has gotten a grant from the new Minister of Science and Technology to begin this phase in of updated technology," said Marie, "equaling more than K15 Billion, and that money is already being spent to get this project moving. We expect the new reactors to be completed by June of 5201, and the older reactors completely decommissioned in a rolling schedule over the next ten years, depending on unmet needs and such. This is such an excellent opportunity for Kalistan, and the people who we serve will truly benefit from the forward thinking of this new administration."

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First Major Stars of New Century to tour Kundrati
KMI artists The New Wave and Tom Marcus will join FSH for several shows on Artanian Continent
Kaliburg, Ananto
January 18, 5199


The New Wave (Top) will headline the Kundrati 5199 Tour, and will be supported by funkmaster Tom Marcus and Kundrati Rock band FSH

KMI artists The New Wave and Tom Marcus will travel this year to Kundrati, in Artania. These two bands will be the first two Kalistani bands to play live in Kundrati, and as such represent pioneers as Kalistani culture seeks to revive after a long dark period. The tour will be joined by Kundrati hard Rock band FSH, who have had a recent hit with the song "Down the Road"; "Down the Road" has also received airplay on KRTVN Channel 7, which focuses primarily on International Music for local populations, and the joint tour is sure to be a hit with Kundrati audiences.

"This is a first for us," said New Wave front woman Bobbi Rohn. "When [KMI] asked us if we would do a tour, we had no idea they meant Kundrati, but the chance to meet new people and share our culture while experiencing theirs is definitely something we're all pretty psyched to do." New Wave bassist Kathy Morris said she looks forward to meeting and jamming with Tom Marcus, who is associated with the reemerging funk movement in the capital. "Yeah, he's pretty funky. He also has a lot of forward leaning ideas about music, and progression in his genre and everything. He's a cool dude, and his music makes people dance!"

Often Kalistani record labels send touring acts when they are boosting their profile for a run at the top of the charts. Tom Marcus himself downplayed this: "Well, I don't have a new record coming out. I think they just wanted to send some great musicians from Kalistan to kind of get our country's name back out there. I mean this is supposed to be fun. I am playing with some great bands on the ticket, I got my entourage, got my ladies, I mean, it's gonna be a lot of fun, but I'm not moving to the top of any charts anytime soon, so there's like no pressure, dig?"

Rohn confirmed this: "Yeah, its totally cultural exchange. Our debut record kind of made a little splash in the Sulari market, and maybe our experience will help us on our second record, especially if we get to learn how they make records, but to be honest, the label was like 'Don't worry about anything, just go play music, have fun and meet the people. Party with them. The tour is in good hands." (KMI has assigned veteran road manager Frank Citronell to oversee the bands in Kundrati, as well as the skilled road crew known as "The Bikers.")

The tour is expected to last more than six weeks, as the three acts hit all major Kundrati Cities.

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http://forum.particracy.net/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=397&p=180190#p180190

Kundrati "gone crazy" as second week of the FSH-The New Wave tour concludes