The New Novaya Zemlya: Home to Soviet History, Vodka, and Radiation Therapy

The Soviet Republic of Novaya Zemlya has started its umpteenth lease of life following the unexpected return of Dominika Tchesnova, widow of the late Vladimir Alexei.

Dominika Tchesnova, who just been appointed as the latest Premier, has promised to revive Novaya Zemlya in "some manner of archival state", and already added to the growing collection of historical documents several items including an extended history, promotional banners, artwork and the state coat of arms. It has been hinted that the famous vodka distillery may be re-opened in the near future, and that a special spa may be opened to harness the high levels of radiation for therapeutic uses.

Novaya Zemlya, which has been protected by the Grand Commonwealth since August 2005, started life in October 2004 as a top secret testing site for the USSR micronation founded by Yuri V Andropov. Within a month it had been transformed into an internationally popular cultural enclave, and was granted a new status of a Soviet Socialist Republic in November of that year. By the end of 2004 the parent USSR had been dissolved following the climax of an escalating series of political crises and scandals, so the surviving Novaya Zemlya was declared its successor.

Following a golden age in early 2005, its very existence was threatened firstly by the infamous EzApocalypse which destroyed much of its forum, and secondly a conversion from socialism to communism that encouraged the emigration of most of its population and brought about months of inactivity, which led to its being protected by the Grand Commonwealth. Several months later most of the founders had returned and attempted a revival, but the untimely death of Vladimir Alexei resulted in a period of mourning that turned into another mass exodus.

The final nail in the coffin was the mysterious deletion of its boards in July 2006, although a surprising number of records were recovered and stored in a new board provided by the Grand Commonwealth, where the new Novaya Zemlya remains based.