Saturday, May 27, 2017

Neo Westphalian Europe Part 22: Republic of Arpitania


There are several competing separatist movements in this region, with claims to similar territory. For the purpose of this exercise therefore I have formulated a new movement, which is a hybrid of those that exist in the area. One of these movements is the Arpitanian movement, which seeks to unite the regions that speak the Arpitan language into a new country. However some of these regions have had deeper historical ties to other versions of political union and thus I hypothesise that this grouping will not occur. Arpitania however is a broader word that can mean simply “Land of the Alps” and does not have a linguistic connotation. Therefore I have borrowed the name and the flag of this movement, despite not using its territorial claims to define its borders.

The other movement in the region is that of the Savoyard. They seek to restore the country traditionally associated with the Duchy of Savoy. Given that neighbouring Italy will be going through its own process of decentralisation, at the same time, it seems likely then that using the borders it had at the peak of its state will make the most sense. This was during the period it was known as the Kingdom of Sardinia or Piedmont-Savoy.

This would leave a third movement in the region with a resolution to its own potential conflict. In the Alpes-Maritimes Department there is a movement that seeks independence for the historical County of Nice. The language of the region, Nicard, is however a dialect of Occitanian, so this region is also claimed by the Occitanian nationalists. A solution therefore would be to merge this department into the Arpitanian state as a third option. The County of Nice has hundreds of years of historical ties with the Savoyard state, so it makes sense that such a union could be successfully recreated.  Parts of this department would be claimed by the neighbouring Genoese state.

This would leave a final Arpitania made up of the following regions: the Savoie and Haute-Savoie departments formerly in France. Also formerly in France various parts of the Alpes-Maritimes department, which include the Grasse arrondissement and the Contes, Nice-1, Nice-2, Nice-3, Nice-4, Nice-5, Nice-6, Nice-7, Nice-8, Nice-9, Tourrette-Levens and Vence Cantons of the Nice arrondissement. 

Added to this will be the Aosta Valley Region formerly in Italy. Finally the former parts in Italy of the Piedmont region, which do not go to Occitania or Genoa, will merge with this state. These include the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Novara, Vercelli, Biella and Asti provinces.  

Also part of this nation will be the Acqui Terme, Alessandria, Alfiano Natta, Alice Bel Coll, Alluvioni Cambiò, Altavilla Monferrato, Alzano Scrivia, Avolasca, Balzola, Bassignana, Bergamasco, Berzano di Tortona, Bistagno, Borgoratto Alessandrino, Borgo San Martino, Bosco Marengo, Bozzole, Brignano-Frascata, Camagna Monferrato, Camino, Carbonara Scrivia, Carentino, Carezzano, Carpeneto, Cartosio, Casal Cermelli, Casale Monferrato, Casalnoceto, Casasco, Cassano Spinola, Cassine, Cassinelle, Castellania, Castellar Guidobono, Castellazzo Bormida, Castelletto d'Erro, Castelletto Merl, Castelletto Monferrato, Castelnuovo Bormida, Castelnuovo Scrivia, Castelspina, Cavatore, Cella Monte, Cereseto, Cerreto Grue, Cerrina Monferrato, Coniolo, Conzano, Costa Vescovato, Cremolino, Cuccaro Monferrato, Denice, Dernice, Fabbrica Curone, Felizzano, Frascaro, Frassinello Monferrato, Frassineto Po, Fresonara, Frugarolo, Fubine, Gabiano, Gamalero, Garbagna, Gavazzana, Giarole, Gremiasco, Grognardo, Guazzora, Isola Sant'Antonio, Lu, Malvicino, Masio, Melazzo, Merana, Mirabello Monferrato, Molare, Molino dei Torti, Mombello Monferrato, Momperone, Moncestino, Monleale, Montacuto, Montaldo Bormida, Montecastello, Montechiaro d'Acqui, Montegioco, Montemarzino, Morano sul Po, Morbello, Morsasco, Murisengo, Occimiano, Odalengo Grande, Odalengo Piccolo, Olivola, Orsara Bormida, Ottiglio, Oviglio, Ozzano Monferrato, Paderna, Pareto, Pecetto di Valenza, Pietra Marazzi, Piovera, Pomaro Monferrato, Pontecurone, Pontestura, Ponti, Ponzano Monferrato, Ponzone, Pozzol Groppo, Prasco, Predosa, Quargnento, Quattordio, Ricaldone, Rivalta Bormida, Rivarone, Rosignano Monferrato, Sala Monferrato, Sale, San Giorgio Monferrato, San Salvatore Monferrato, San Sebastiano Curone, Sant'Agata Fossili, Sardigliano, Sarezzano, Serralunga di Crea, Sezzadio, Solero, Solonghello, Spigno Monferrato, Spineto Scrivia, Strevi, Terruggia, Terzo, Ticineto, Tortona, Treville, Trisobbio, Valenza, Valmacca, Vignale Monferrato, Viguzzolo, Villadeati, Villalvernia, Villamiroglio, Villanova Monferrato, Villaromagnano, Visone, Volpedo, Volpeglino and Voltaggio Comunes in the province of Alessandria.

From the neighbouring Turin province will be added the Aglie, Airasca, Ala di Stura, Albiano d'Ivrea, Alice Superiore, Almese, Alpette, Alpignano, Andezeno, Andrate, Angrogna, Arignano, Avigliana, Azeglio, Bairo, Balangero, Baldissero Canavese, Baldissero Torinese, Balme, Banchette, Barbania, Bardonecchia, Barone Canavese, Beinasco, Bobbio Pellice, Bollengo, Borgaro Torinese, Borgiallo, Borgofranco d'Ivrea, Borgomasino, Borgone Susa, Bosconero, Brandizzo, Bricherasio, Brosso, Brozolo, Bruino, Brusasco, Bruzolo, Buriasco, Burolo, Busano, Bussoleno, Buttigliera Alta, Cafasse, Caluso, Cambiano, Candia Canavese, Candiolo, Canischio, Cantoira, Caprie, Caravino, Carema, Carignano, Carmagnola, Casalborgone, Cascinette d'Ivrea, Caselette, Caselle Torinese, Castagneto Po, Castagnole Piemonte, Castellamonte, Castelnuovo Nigra, Castiglione Torinese, Cavagnolo, Cavour, Cercenasco, Ceres, Ceresole Reale, Cesana Torinese, Chialamberto, Chianocco, Chiaverano, Chieri, Chiesanuova, Chiomonte, Chiusa di San Michele, Chivasso, Ciconio, Cintano, Cinzano, Cirie, Claviere, Coassolo Torinese, Coazze, Collegno Colleretto Castelnuovo, Colleretto Giacosa, Condove, Corio, Cossano Canavese, Cuceglio, Cumiana, Cuorgne, Druento, Exilles, Favria, Feletto, Fenestrelle, Fiano, Fiorano Canavese, Foglizzo, Forno Canavese, Frassinetto, Front, Garzigliana, Gassino Torinese, Germagnano, Giaglione, Giaveno, Givoletto, Gravere, Groscavallo, Grosso, Grugliasco, Ingria, Inverso Pinasca, Isolabella, Issiglio, Ivrea, La Cassa, La Loggia, Lanzo Torinese, Lauriano, Leini, Lemie, Lessolo, Levone, Locana, Lombardore, Lombriasco, Loranze, Lugnacco, Lusiglie, Macello, Maglione, Marentino, Massello, Mathi, Mattie, Mazze, Meana di Susa, Mercenasco, Meugliano, Mezzenile, Mombello di Torino, Mompantero, Monastero di Lanzo, Moncalieri, Moncenisio, Montaldo Torinese, Montalenghe, Montalto Dora, Montanaro, Monteu da Po, Moriondo Torinese, Nichelino, Noasca, Nole, Nomaglio, None, Novalesa, Oglianico, Orbassano, Orio Canavese, Osasco, Osasio, Oulx, Ozegna, Palazzo Canavese, Pancalieri, Parella, Pavarolo, Pavone Canavese, Pecco, Pecetto Torinese, Perosa Argentina, Perosa Canavese, Perrero, Pertusio, Pessinetto, Pianezza, Pinasca, Pino Torinese, Piobesi Torinese, Piossasco, Piscina, Piverone, Poirino, Pomaretto, Pont-Canavese, Pragelato, Prali, Pralormo, Pramollo, Prarostino, Prascorsano, Pratiglione, Quagliuzzo, Quassolo, Quincinetto, Reano, Ribordone, Rivalba, Rivalta di Torino, Riva presso Chieri, Rivara, Rivarolo Canavese, Rivarossa, Rivoli, Robassomero, Rocca Canavese, Romano Canavese, Ronco Canavese, Rondissone, Rorà, Roure, Rosta, Rubiana, Rueglio, Salassa, Salbertrand, Salerano Canavese, Salza di Pinerolo, Samone, San Benigno Canavese, San Carlo Canavese, San Colombano Belmonte, San Didero, San Francesco al Campo, Sangano, San Germano Chisone, San Gillio, San Giorgio Canavese, San Giorio di Susa, San Giusto Canavese, San Martino Canavese, San Maurizio Canavese, San Mauro Torinese, San Ponso, San Raffaele Cimena, San Sebastiano da Po, Sant'Ambrogio di Torino, Sant'Antonino di Susa, Santena, Sauze di Cesana, Sauze d'Oulx, Scalenghe, Scarmagno, Sciolze, Sestriere, Settimo Rottaro, Settimo Torinese, Settimo Vittone, Sparone, Strambinello, Strambino, Susa, Tavagnasco, Torino, Torrazza Piemonte, Torre Canavese, Torre Pellice, Trana, Trausella, Traversella, Traves, Trofarello, Usseaux, Usseglio, Vaie, Val della Torre, Valgioie, Vallo Torinese, Valperga, Valprato Soana, Varisella, Vauda Canavese, Venaus, Venaria Reale, Verolengo, Verrua Savoia, Vestignè, Vialfrè, Vico Canavese, Vidracco, Vigone, Villafranca Piemonte, Villanova Canavese, Villarbasse, Villar Dora, Villareggia, Villar Focchiardo, Villar Pellice, Villar Perosa, Villastellone, Vinovo, Virle Piemonte, Vische, Vistrorio, Viù, Volpiano and Volvera communes.

Lastly the Acceglio, Aisone, Alba, Albaretto della Torre, Alto, Argentera, Arguello, Bagnasco, Baldissero d'Alba, Barbaresco, Barolo, Bastia Mondovì, Battifollo, Beinette, Bellino, Belvedere Langhe, Bene Vagienna, Benevello, Bergolo, Bonvicino, Borgomale, Bosia, Bossolasco, Boves, Bra, Briaglia, Briga Alta, Camerana, Camo, Canale, Canosio, Caprauna, Caramagna Piemonte, Cardè, Carrù, Casalgrasso, Castagnito, Casteldelfino, Castelletto Stura, Castelletto Uzzone, Castellinaldo, Castellino Tanaro, Castelmagno, Castelnuovo di Ceva, Castiglione Falletto, Castiglione Tinella, Castino, Cavallerleone, Cavallermaggiore, Celle di Macra, Centallo, Ceresole Alba, Cerretto Langhe, Cervere, Ceva, Cherasco, Chiusa di Pesio, Cigliè, Cissone, Clavesana, Corneliano d'Alba, Cortemilia, Cossano Belbo, Costigliole Saluzzo, Cravanzana, Crissolo, Cuneo, Demonte, Diano d'Alba, Dogliani, Elva, Entracque, Farigliano, Faule, Feisoglio, Fossano, Frabosa Soprana, Frabosa Sottana, Frassino, Garessio, Genola, Gorzegno, Gottasecca, Govone, Grinzane Cavour, Guarene, Igliano, Lagnasco, La Morra, Lequio Berria, Lequio Tanaro, Lesegno, Levice. Limone Piemonte, Lisio, Macra, Magliano Alfieri, Magliano Alpi, Mango, Manta, Marene, Margarita, Marmora, Marsaglia, Melle, Mombarcaro, Mombasiglio, Monastero di Vasco, Monasterolo Casotto, Monasterolo di Savigliano, Monchiero, Mondovì, Monesiglio, Monforte d'Alba, Montà, Montaldo di Mondovì, Montaldo Roero, Montanera, Montelupo Albese, Monterosso Grana, Monteu Roero, Montezemolo, Monticello d'Alba, Moretta, Morozzo, Murazzano, Murello, Narzole, Neive, Neviglie, Niella Belbo, Niella Tanaro, Novello, Nucetto, Oncino, Ormea, Ostana, Pamparato, Paroldo, Perletto, Perlo, Peveragno, Pezzolo Valle Uzzone, Pianfei, Pietraporzio, Piobesi d'Alba, Piozzo, Pocapaglia, Polonghera, Pontechianale, Pradleves, Prazzo, Priero, Priocca, Priola, Prunetto, Racconigi, Roaschia, Roascio, Robilante, Roburent, Rocca Cigliè, Rocca de' Baldi, Roccaforte Mondovì, Roccasparvera, Roccavione, Rocchetta Belbo, Roddi, Roddino, Rodello, Ruffia, Sale delle Langhe, Sale San Giovanni, Saliceto, Salmour, Saluzzo, Sambuco, Sampeyre, San Benedetto Belbo, San Damiano Macra, Sanfrè, San Michele Mondovì, Sant'Albano Stura, Santa Vittoria d'Alba, Santo Stefano Belbo, Santo Stefano Roero, Savigliano, Scagnello, Scarnafigi, Serralunga d'Alba, Serravalle Langhe, Sinio, Somano, Sommariva del Bosco, Sommariva Perno, Stroppo, Tarantasca, Torre Bormida, Torre Mondovì, Torre San Giorgio, Torresina, Treiso, Trezzo Tinella, Trinità, Valdieri, Valloriate, Valmala, Venasca, Verduno, Vernante, Verzuolo, Vezza d'Alba, Vicoforte, Villafalletto, Villanova Mondovì, Villanova Solaro, Vinadio, Viola and Vottignasco comunes, of the Cuneo province, will be part of this country.


The flag of the Arpitanian movement is similar to the flag of the Duchy of Savoy. However, as there seems to be no movement in the region to restore the monarchy of Savoy, there is a colour change on the new flag, to differentiate the new republic from the old monarchy. The flag of Savoy is a red flag with a white cross. The Arpitanian flag is a similar format however it changes the bottom half of the flag to black. These colours are taken from the colours of the Aosta Valley flag, where the Arpitanian Movement originated in the 1970’s.

Go To Part 23

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