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Louis Perrey: I'm Madame President's right-hand man. I take care of emails, take care of her schedule, deal with customs, and explain the history of Saugeais to tourists.I also organize our yearly events. We have one big national holiday—a day dedicated to the honorary citizens of Saugeais. We receive about 500 guests and have a big meal during which the President presents the honorary citizens with medals and diplomas, and then she gives a speech.The army also comes over to parade sometimes, so we've got to receive them just like every other visitor.How old is Saugeais?
The Saugeais in itself has existed since the Middle Ages—that's an undeniable fact historically and geographically. The Republic has existed since 1947.
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Oh no, I don't think so, that would be hard. We are in contact with all these free communities or republics or micronations, but it's not for us. If it was easily done, we would do it, but we have to live. We pay our taxes in France, of course.Is there a "Saugète" identity?
Ah yes, yes, yes! First of all, we've got our national anthem which dates back to 1910, and the lyrics are in "Sauget." Saugeais was recognized by a papal bull in 1199. Pope Innocent III recognized the independence of the monks living in the region, after colonists arrived. These guys came mostly from Savoie, so a dialect was created that is still spoken by some old people.
Yes. In April 1947, the region prefect visited a restaurant owned by monsieur and madame Georges Pourchet. The owner of the restaurant enjoyed teasing people, so he asked the prefect, "Do you have a pass to enter Saugeais?" So the prefect asked him to explain what Saugeais was and then said, "It looks like a republic, but a republic needs a president, so I declare you the president of the Republic of Saugeais."
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Yes, there are a lot of people telling us so [laughs]. But now the President is 80 and she doesn't have any children, so we will see.I also read that you have 12 ambassadors.
These are elected during the day of the honorary citizens of Saugeais. There are some in Switzerland, in Belgium, and in the adjacent regions. The ambassadors and the honorary citizens are people who help us make Saugeais known outside its borders. That brings us tourism.Cool. How do you become an honorary citizen?
There are a lot of demands and only ten or 12 titles are delivered every year. The president has to choose them.Finally, how serious is all this?
It is undeniable that Saugeais exists. We've got our own dialect and our own national anthem. But, well, our main aim is to promote the country.Would you like to add anything?
Vive la république du Saugeais and vive la France!