Kalistan

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Empress Accepts Grand Duchess Suldanor's Retirement
Makes occasion to call Nobility to Public Beautifucation
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
May 2, 5661


Empress takes photo with retiring Her Grace Grand Duchess Emily Suldanor at Cliff House

The Grand Duchess of Kalistan, Her Grace Grand Duchess Emily Suldanor has retired, and her successor, Craig Alvarez, has been named to the seat. The Grand Duchy is technically second in rank in the Imperial Nobility, with the Grand Duke of Kalistan serving as the Empress' Viceroy in Kalistan Proper and overseeing and coordinating the efforts of the various Duchies on the mainland. But functionally speaking the role is a formal and administrative role and carries with it no additional power beyond what the Duke of Suldanor would already hold in their role as Duke. Consequently, the Grand Duchess has not made much news in her role as Grand Duchess. When she travelled to Kaliburg to inform Her Imperial Majesty of her intention to retire and to confirm her son as the next Grand Duke of Kalistan, it was not considered much of a newsworthy trip.

However, in announcing her retirement, the Grand Duchess asked Her Imperial Majesty to direct the nobility of the Empire to strive toward beautification.

"We, who have so much, should dedicate even a portion of that fortune to the beautification of our towns, cities, and countryside," said the Grand Duchess in her official retirement letter. "The Nobility of Kalistan implore Her Imperial Majesty to make public works not only a priority among her Nobility, but an imperative. Some of us are already committed to building institutions for the good of our people, but more can and should be done. Let us, as a tradition and as an Imperial Command, compel our nobility to strive for the beauty and grandeur that Her Imperial Majesty demonstrates for us. And let it be so ever after, that members of the Nobility of the rank of Count or Higher, shall each, over the course of their tenure in office, shall organize and oversee the construction buildings, public parks, recreation areas, athletic complexes, and amenities for public use, from their own personal fund, and to be constructed pro bono, for the edification and public benefit of all."

The Empress was reportedly delighted by the proposal and acceded to the request immediately. "We have acknowledged Lady Suldanor's retirement," said Her Imperial Majesty in a short news conference, along with the Grand Duchess and Chancellor of the Empire Lady Jennifer Alvarez-Miller (who is the Grand Duchess' cousin) present. "and have granted her most sincere and honorable request that we shall require of our nobility a contribution from their personal funds generous enough to provide public amenities, institutions and beautification for our cities, towns and countryside. This prescription shall extend to all Nobility to the rank of Count or higher within their demesne, and even to those who hold no demesne including our Marquis'. These Nobles shall demonstrate the goodness of our System to our people and should focus on listening to the people of their respective Districts to determine what is in the public need and desire, so that they may provide the most beautiful and useful structures and works that can be had. And they shall strive, in this sense to, to help and enlighten as many as possible with their effort."

Some of the projects Her Imperial Majesty laid out were things like rural health clinics, especially in remote areas, where medical visits are difficult, schools, colleges and universities, libraries, public fountains, public parks, green belts in cities, or other sort of infrastructure like solar and wind farms to help generate more energy, recreation areas like beaches, boulevards that permit walkable and bikeable portions of cities, improved public transit. She also proposed that some people could engage in land clearance to improve both the quality and quantity of the agricultural land in various areas of Kalistan, swamp drainage in places where pests like mosquitoes still plague the residents, reintroduction of native species of flora and fauna similar to the reintroduction of aquatic mammals in from Dulnerstaad or the Empress' ongoing program to plant giant redwoods in suitable areas around the Empire.

"All of these programs will go to the Beautification of our nation and the upliftment of our people," said the Empress. "We thank the Grand Duchess for her Service, and we thank her for all the contributions she has already made to the Duchy of Suldanor, as well as the Grand Duchy of Kalistan. She has been a constant companion and confidante, and we will hope to see more of our cousin in her retirement. But, also, we hope she is finally able to relax and set her own schedule after a lifetime of service to Her Empire."

The proclamation was immediately followed by a statement from the Chancellor that Her Imperial Majesty has decided that to set an example, she wishes to build a Grand National Library in Kaliburg that will serve as a repository of more than 5000 years of collected Kalistani literature, music, movies and television, as well as to house an Art Collection and display cultural artifacts. "The project will begin as soon as a suitable site is chosen, and will be open to the public 24 hours a day," said the Chancellor. "All funds will come from House Ananto." The announcement received polite applause from the gathered audience.

@TheRepublic