Kalistan

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Kalistani News in Brief: Minister of Culture Names National Poet Laureate
Kalistani Army South Conducts Exercises in Suldanor; Empress to visit Q. Arianna in Hutori this summer
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
February 4 5668


Minister for Culture Janet Simmons (right) Announces Poet Laureate of the Empire, Ms. Marguerite Hendrickson (Left)

Minister of Culture Names National Poet Laureate
Her Imperial Majesty's Minister for Education and Culture, Ms. Janet Simmons announced that House Ananto has endowed a new Position of Poet Laureate of the Empire, and created it as a lifelong Residential position. The new Poet Laureate of the Empire is celebrated pastoralist Marguerite Hendrickson, from Nevaras City, Duchy of Nevaras. Hendrickson is a professional writer, but she also teaches Vrassan to the 5th Grade at Nevaras Public Elementary School No 6.

"This is a prestigious honor for Ms. Hendrickson who has devoted her life to writing and creating art," said Minister Simmons. "Ms. Hendrickson's poetry is evocative of many of the lands you will find across Kalistan. She is an amateur naturalist, and has travelled extensively in the Grand Duchy, composing her works in the process. Whether it is an ode to wildlife in the Nevaran Plateau, or the bustling life of the urban landscape in a place like Port Swedes, her poems are aimed to bring the reader along with her to that place and represent a natural, and by the way, a very romantic take on the subject. She is a treasure for our Empire, and this Laurate is a small token for her contribution to Kalistani Culture."

Minister Simmons said the commission comes with an annual stipend of ₭65,000 annually, which will, if she is interested, allow Ms. Hendrickson to focus on her poetry full time. "This Commission is a lifetime award, so she will have the opportunity to serve the Nation in this capacity for the rest of her life." Ms. Hendrickson has published four books of her poetry, and at least two more anthologies are now commissioned by the Imperial Government as part of the Laureate. The Selection was made by an independent committee of Vrassan professors to select a poet whose work contributes significantly to the culture of Kalistan and who presents an impressionistic or romantic view of Kalistan and its people, rather than focusing on realism or abstract or absurdist topics. As part of the award, Ms. Hendrickson will be inducted into the Most Excellent Order of the Anantonese Empire, and will receive the title Dame.

Kalistani Army South Conducts Exercises in Suldanor
Kalistani Army South, which has been a primary beneficiary of Regular Army Reorganization, is conducting exercises along the Lucid River beginning in March. "These are scheduled exercises and are aimed at getting field experience with our new Rocket artillery systems," said Army Leader, Lt. General Craig Funk. "These batteries, which the Regular Army received from the Navy due to their limited use in shore to ship defense, are nonetheless an important addition to the Land Forces. With Conventional munitions, we are seeing max effective ranges up to 14 miles. But with rocket artillery, we are looking at max effective ranges of about 21 miles, a 50% increase in distance. It will dramatically improve operations in a theater of combat that a unit like Army South will face."

General Funk says the Regular Force has no intention to abandon the 155mm Howitzer. "No our main gun is now, and will be for the foreseeable future, the 155mm Howitzer. It is the perfect balance between portability and destructive firepower. It fires in all weather. When correctly registered, it has a 99% casualty rate. Nearly all combat casualties come from accurate Artillery fires. Rockets malfunction and sometimes they just blow up. The Howitzers just work. They kill whatever they are aimed at. Period."

The exercises will involve maneuver within the Lucid River valley above Lucid City. "We will involve mechanized infantry, armor, and artillery in the exercises, so we can get the guys familiar with Rocket Artillery operations," said the Lt. General. "We are also cooperating with the Militia in wargames in April, which will be a lot of fun I think and will also really test the endurance of the men and women in uniform. We will be simulating guerrilla tactics and living off the land during that phase, incase we ever need to invade somewhere, without adequate supply."

Empress to visit Q. Arianna in Hutori this Summer
The Personal Office of Her Imperial Majesty has scheduled a trip for Her Imperial Majesty Empress Mary I Ananto, Hi Highness The Crown Prince Fredrick Ananto-Collins, and Her Highness the Lady Companion Victoria Jensen to the Kingdom of Hutori, to visit Her Majesty, Queen Arianna and her family. This is a personal visit and is not expected to be accompanied by much ceremony or circumstance.

"Her Imperial Majesty has enjoyed previous visits to Hutori immensely, and wishes to visit the Queen at her home," said Lady Southern, Her Imperial Majesty's personal Secretary and spokeswoman. "This will allow her to meet Queen Arianna's the Prince Consort David Alvarez' children, and play golf in Prince David's annual tournament. It will also give the Crown Prince the opportunity to meet and get to know the Royal Family of Hutori, who are considered adopted family of the Anantos in Kalistan due to marriage, peerage, and status within the Ancient Order of the Gray Smoke. As he is preparing to accede to the throne in a few years, establishing a close relationship is very important."

Princess Natasha of Hutori, who holds permanent residence in Kalistan at Raven's Head, is expected to travel with the Royal family to Hutori. The trip is expected for late June and the visit will last for three weeks. During the visit, the Empress and Crown Prince are also expected to make a trip to Sutton for a few days as well, but will primarily stay with the Queen and her family for the duration.

@TheRepublic