Eretzora

Eretzora (Alstern : ארצורה, Sniatyn: Ерэтзора), officially the State of Eretzora (Alstern: מדינת ארצורה, Sniatyn: Государства Ерэтзора), is a sovereign nation located in the far east of northern Brigidna, on the northwestern shore of the Ostaran Sea. It is commonly referred to as part of the Marzanna region, due to its historic ties to nations in the region, though this is often disputed. It shares land borders with the Republic of Severyane to the north and the Republic of Belasev to the west. Eretzora's economic and technological sectors are centred in the cities of Kiryat Shlosha and Katzilya, whilst its seat of government and capital is the city of Ayalon.

In 1516, the Union of Socialist Republics under the command of Gregor Perov established the Alstereni Autonomous Oblast in its easternmost region in an attempt to concentrate the Alstereni (an ethnocultural minority associated with the Alsterenist faith) community, at the time numbering just under five million persons, in one place. Perov, an ardent proponent of Severyan superiority, believed it was in the best interests of the Severyan people if all non-Severyan persons were removed from Severyane. The Alstereni Autonomous Oblast was thus first established as an autonomous region of the Socialist Republic of Severyane in 1516, but it became a republic of the union in its own right only four years later. The Alstereni People's Republic - the smallest constituent nation of the USR - initially struggled to encourage mass Alstereni settlement, with Alsterenis - numbering 1.3 million in 1520 - comprising less than 50% of the republic's total population. Continued oppression at the hands of Gregor Perov's government saw the population rise by over a million between 1520 and 1525, the year in which the republic declared independence from the union as the State of Eretzora. Taking advantage of the newly established state's Law of Priority - a section of the constitution that guarantees the right of abode to all Alsterenists, including converts, and anyone with at least a single Alsterenist grandparent - millions from across the world, namely the Kingdom of Goldecia, the Republic of Severyane, the Kubanizan Federation and other former republics of the Union of Socialist Republics. The United Workers Party, known locally as Mifleget HaPoalim HaMeuhedet, governed the country for the next two decades under the pretense of continuing the socialist vision of the former Alstereni People's Republic. The reign of Esther Hotovely, who rose to power in 1546 following the death of her husband Prime Minister Yaakov Hotovely, saw the country transition into a free market economy. Eretzoran society post-independence has been characterised by the tense relationship between the country's secular majority and its small, but growing and influential, orthodox minority.

According to its own constitution, Eretzora is both a democratic and Alsterenist state, though this is interpreted as being a homeland of the Alstereni people as opposed to a state based on Alsterenist religious doctrine. Eretzora is the world's only state with an Alstereni majority, with 87.3% being designated as Alsterenis. The country's Alstereni population is further divided into the following religious characterisations: secular (39.5%), reform (33.1%), traditional (15.2%) and orthodox (12.2%). The country's second largest group of citizens are Belays, at 4.3%, with the vast majority being Bukh'a Akhadics. Other minorities include Goldecians, Ashkeds and Vostics from former republics of the Union of Socialist Republics. As of 1546, Alstern is the sole official language of the State of Eretzora, though Sniatyn, which is the mother tongue of approximately 35% of Eretzorans, and Goldecian are legally recognised as national languages.

Eretzora is a developed country, with a GDP per capita of $ 40,693.45, making it the wealthiest country that was once a constituent nation of the Union of Socialist Republics. The country benefits from a highly skilled workforce and is among the most educated countries in the world with one of the highest percentage of its citizens holding a tertiary education degree.

History

Early Settlement

Asher Katz - widely considered the founder of the movement to establish a state for the Alstereni people.

The yearning for a home to call their own, which had been a central tenet of Alsterenist thought for over a millennium, intensified in the early 15th century as a result of continuous oppression at the hands of their Vostic overlords. The pogroms of 1421 and 1426, which saw over fifty thousand Alsterenis displaced from western Severyane, led to an emigration wave to the Kingdom of Goldecia, though only wealthier Alsterenis were able to afford the trip across the Laurel Sea. Those without such means headed eastwards, which was sparsely populated compared to the heavily populated west. Settling in towns and cities across the country, Alsterenis became a prominent group in Tulan and Yelets, comprising 30% and 52% of the total population respectively in 1433. Further pogroms - such as the Yelets 1444 pogrom, undoubtedly one of the most brutal attacks against the Severyan Alstereni community of the 15th century - saw the journey eastwards commence once more, with the majority of Yelet's Alstereni population having left by 1445. An Alstereni community was founded in what is modern day Eretzora by 1450, though it was considerably small in size and its members were impoverished, due to the harsh living conditions of the far-east.

Asher Zvi Litewski Katz, born in Poltsebsk, Severyane (modern day Nentsia), published a book advocating for the establishment of a national homeland for the Alstereni people in 1450 and is thus subsequently revered as one of the founding fathers of the modern State of Eretzora, despite passing away many years prior to its inception. Although Katz envisioned that his Alstereni-majority state would be located in the Near-East, the area from which ethnic Alsterenis claim descent, he did ponder on the feasbility of his proposal and thus considered other locations, such as sparsely populated areas of Severyane, including, but not limited to, the present location of the State of Eretzora. As his writings began to serve as an inspiration for many Alsterenis fleeing persecution, he, along with other prominent proponents of an Alstereni-majority homeland, including Viktor Kaganovich and Vladimir Sokolnikov, established the Ktazist League of Severyane in 1459. The organisation grew to encompass a wide variety of groups, including socialists, labour Katzists, and religious Katzists, and became the leading voice for an Alstereni-majority state upon its inception.

During its 5th annual conference, the World Katzist League - a successor of the original Katzist League of Severyane - voted in favour of encouraging settlement in the area that is today Eretzora, much to the dismay of Katz, who had grown to resent the very idea of a state outside the Near East. By 1480, twenty seven separate Alstereni villages and one town, which developed to become the modern city of Kiryat Shlosha, had been established. The Alstereni population of the regional capital Balakovo (today the Eretzoran capital Ayalon )grew to 17% of the total population by 1491.

Alstereni Autonomous Oblast

Alstereni settlement in the area that became Eretzora continued, albeit slowly, with ethnic Alsterenis comprising 14% of the area's total population by 1500. Rough environmental conditions and a serious lack of economic incentives served as deterrents, even in spite of the heavy persecution of Alstereni communities across the Union of Socialist Republics. Only following the political ascent of Gregor Perov - a renowned proponent of Severyan racial superiority - did Alsterenis flock en masse to the area. The government of Gregor Perov met with representatives of the Katzist movement in 1515, where it was agreed that the establishment of a semi-autonomous region for the country's Alstereni minority suited both sides, as it was in line with both the Katzist movement's desire for independence and the Perov regime's vision of a Severyane without non-Severyans.

Labour Katzists in Kfar Avital - a socialist communal village in the AAO.

The Alstereni Autonomous Oblast - an autonomous region of the Socialist Republic of Severyane - was established in 1516 and all Alsterenis living throughout the Union of Socialist Republics were mandated to relocate to the newly created state. Socialist communal villages, known as moshavs (settlements), played a central role in the overall character of the Autonomous Alstereni Oblast and Moshavniks - those who resided and worked on moshavs - dominated its political scene. Life was not much different than in other areas of the country. Religious practice was severely restricted, albeit to a far less extent than in the rest of the country. Alsterenist temples, which were permitted in neither the Alstereni Autonomous Oblast prior to 1518 nor the rest of Severyane, were tolerated when Yitzhak Landau was declared leader of the autonomous region. The revival of the Alstern language, which had become a language reserved for prayer, was initiated by Landau, who, unlike his predecessor, dreamed of a future outside the Socialist Republic of Severyane.

The Alstereni population of the Autonomous Alstereni Oblast continued to rise, as more and more Alsterenis and those with Alstereni roots obeyed the decree requiring them to relocate to the region. By 1520, approximately one and a half million Alsterenis resided within the territory, comprising just under half of its population. Ethnic Severyans and other Vostic peoples made up the remaining 50%, though both the Perov regime and the government of Autonomous Alstereni Oblast applied immense pressure to encourage their emigration from the territory. Cities such as Katzilya, Beit She'an and Adora were founded during this period to accommodate the arriving Alsterenis.

Alstereni People's Republic

The Autonomous Alstereni Oblast, or the Alstereni People's Republic as it subsequently became to be known, was declared a republic of the Union of Socialist Republics in its own right in 1520. This was yet again in line with both the Katzist movement's desire to found a sovereign nation for the Alstereni people and the Perov regime's commitment to racial "purification" of the Socialist Republic of Severyane. The Alstereni People's Republic acquired additional territory, growing to more than twice its initial size, as a result of successful, yet thorough, negotiations between the new republic's representatives and the government of Gregor Perov. Yitzhak Landau, the APR's first premier, took advantage of the republic's newly found autonomy by moderating its stance on religious practice, putting the republic at the forefront of religious freedom, a unique position amongst constituent nations of the Union of Socialist Republics. Landau, despite being an atheist and a committed socialist, believed that the Katzist movement could use the Alsterenist faith to their advantage, in order to pursue their desire of an entirely sovereign state for the Alstereni people.

Queue for water, Ayalon 1524, during riots.

It was during Landau's tenure that the city of Balakovo was renamed Ayalon and much of the city's non-Alstereni population was expelled as part of an effort to Alsterenise the city. By 1524, Alsterenis accounted for 68.4% of the city's total population as a result of Landau's policies and continuous Alstereni migration to the region. As anti-Alstereni sentiment spread and persecution intensified across the Union of Socialist Republics, particularly the Socialist Republic of Severyane, more and more fled to the Autonomous Alstereni Oblast, bringing the total Alstereni population to 55% by 1524.

Landau was replaced as premier in late 1524 by Avraham Azimov after it became clear to the central government in Severograd that Landau was in fact a Katzist sympathiser and favoured eventual succession from the union. He was executed the following month. Azimov, although of Alstereni origin, was widely known in the capital as he had earlier served as a legislator and was a committed member of the Community Party with a proven track record. The Azimov administration, at the command of the central government in Severograd, cracked down on religious practice and Katzist activities. His tenure, however, lasted a mere month, as he was assassinated by the HaHagana- a Katzist paramilitary group dedicated to independence - whilst delivering a speech in central Ayalon. The assassination of Azimov triggered riots throughout the republic, particularly in Ayalon, where Alsterenis and Vostics clashed heavily over the issue of independence. Over five hundred individuals, including at least one hundred minors, were murdered over the space of three days. The HaHagana - one of the various unofficial military wings of the World Katzist League - set up patrols and imposed a curfew on the territory's non-Alstereni residents. Mikkel Friedman, leader of the World Katzist League, became the territory's de facto leader as a result of the assassination; his cabinet adopted the Unilateral Declaration of Independence, a statement specifying that the Alstereni People's Republic now regarded itself as an independent state.

Post-Independence

Following the Winter War, the new state formed close relations with several former USR republics, such as Saratov and Calgarov. It maintained no formal ties with Severyane at the outset, though informal relations were formed between the two states around 1530. A strong and close relationship with its Severyan neighbour was of strategic significance to the new Eretzoran state as the years progressed, particularly during and after the First Eretzoran-Belay War.

Kiryat Shlosha's Central Sakak at Bloomfield Street.

Eretzora remained a socialist state even after the collapse of the Union of Socialist Republics and was governed by a single party, the United Workers Party, from independence until 1546. The United Workers Party was the sole legal political organisation during this period of time, though it comprised of various factions that represented different sectors of society, such as proponents of Katzism and ethnic Belays. Religious freedom was severely limited at points, namely during Dor Kramarov's administration. From 1536 until his resignation in 1542, "public displays" of religion, such as the wearing of religious garments, were outright prohibited in the country, causing tension between the government and the country's growing Orthodox population. Tzachi Barak relaxed the law upon being appointed Prime Minister. In 1543, 16 Treizen, an orthodox activist named Baruch Hornstein, assassinated Prime Minister Barak in Ayalon. Riots erupted throughout the country and hundreds of orthodox businesses were vandalised and even burned to the ground, including Kiryat Shlosha's Central Sakak.

The early 40s were dominated by the conflict between Katzist and anti-Katzist factions of the United Workers Party. The Katzists, led by Prime Minister Ya'akov Hotovely,

Geography

Galon Mountains

Politics

Political System

Eretzoran Prime Minister Yitzhak Aharon.

Eretzora operates under a federal-parliamentary system as a democratic republic with universal suffrage. This means that the ministers of the executive branch get their democratic legitimacy from the legislature and are accountable to that body, such that the executive and legislative branches are intertwined. The Constitution of the State of Eretzora is the legal foundation of the modern federal state. It outlines the structure of the state's institutions, identifies the division of powers between commune, state and federal levels and highlights the rights afforded to all citizens. There are three main governing bodies on the federal level: the unicameral parliament (legislative), the Federal Government (executive) and the Supreme Court (judicial).

The Senate is the unicameral legislature of the State of Eretzora, located in the country's capital Ayalon. As the legislative branch of the Eretzoran government, it passes all laws, elects the President, approves the cabinet and observes the actions of the reigning government. Furthermore, the Senate has the power to remove a serving President, any cabinet minister and dissolve itself, effectively calling new elections. Senate seats are allocated among the various parties using the D'Hondt method of party list proportional representation. Eretzora requires a party to meet an election threshold of 0.5% of the overall vote to be allocated a Senate seat. Senators serve for five years. Voters vote for a party instead of a specific candidate due to the closed list system used. All Eretzorans citizens 18 years or above are entitled to vote in legislative elections held every four years. The Senate is headed by a Speaker and it is their duty to block all acts of legislature that are racist or don't recognise Eretzora's right to exist as an "Alsterenist and Democratic state". Due to the electoral system used, parties rarely win more than 50% of seats in the Senate, so political alliances, or blocs, are often formed, where more than one party runs on a single list. In the event of no bloc obtaining more than 50% of seats, a coalition comprising of more than one bloc must be formed.

The Federal Government, Eretzora's executive branch, directs the federal administration of the state. Usually led by the leader of the largest bloc in the Senate, the Federal Government carries out the duties outlined in the country's constitution, such as shaping the country's defence, immigration and foreign affairs policies and administering federally-funded institutions such as universities and colleges. The head of the Federal Government is referred to as the Prime Minister and he/she is responsible for appointing members to the cabinet. The present government is a coalition comprised of Yesh Tikva (There is Hope) and HaMaḥaneh HaKatzi (Katzist List) and is presently led by Prime Minister Yitzhak Aharon. The Leader of the Opposition is Rachel Singer, the leader of the right-wing Otzma Alsterenit. The opposition is tasked with holding the government accountable.

Composition of Eretzoran Senate (1593)

Group		Leader	Ideology	Parties	Total
	Yesh Tikva	Yitzhak Aharon	Centre, Secular	Yesh Tikva	64
	HaMaḥaneh HaKatzi	Chava Svetlova	Centre-left, Secular	HaAvoda, Shinui, HaYerukim	58
	Otzma Alsterenit	Rachel Singer	Right, Secular	Otzma Alsterenit	55
	Am Echad	Eli Yeshua	Centre-right, Secular	Am Echad	23
	Rashimat Masortit	Itay Lapid	Far-right, Orthodox	HaBayit HaAlstereni, Tkuma, Moledet	22
	Eretz Yashana	Ezra Ben Mordecai	Right, Orthodox (ultra), Anti-Katzist	Eretz Yashana	11
	Hazit Datit Meuhedet	Aryeh Cohen	Left, Orthodox (Ultra), Mizrachi (Eastern), Anti-Katzist	Hazit Datit Meuhedet	9
	United Belay Front	Alibi Ayanov	Far-left, Belay, Anti-Katzist	Belay Workers Party, Akhadic Front, Belay Peoples Union	4
	HaMiflega HaKomunistit HaAretzorit	Amit Gransburg	Far-left, Secular, Anti-Katzist	Moked, Mifleget HaPoalim HaMeuhedet	4
	Total				250

Judiciary

The Supreme Constitution of Eretzora delineates the structure of the judiciary, but the administration of most courts is regulated by the Supreme Court of Eretzora in Ayalon which is responsible for the lower levels of the court system; the highest appellate courts alone operate at the National Court level. This division of labour allows the federation to ensure that laws are enforced equally throughout the country, whereas the central role of the states in administering the courts safeguards the independence of the judicial system from the government. Eretzora has a three-tier court system. At the lowest level are magistrate courts, situated in all cities and most towns across the country. Above them are State Courts, one for each of the states of Eretzora. Finally, the National Court, which is the court in which terrorists and other such criminals plea and be tried. Religious Zokuk courts, for matters such as marriage, divorce, conversion and adoption, also exist and are the only courts which possess the power to deal with these matters. The Chief Zokuk Authority of Eretzora supervises the religious courts of Eretzora's Alsterenist inhabitants. Religious minority groups have their own courts dealing with such matters. As civil marriage is presently not available in Eretzora, interfaith and same-sex marriages are not possible, though the state does recognise marriages performed abroad, including same-sex marriages.

Economy

Kiryat Shlosha is the country's largest city and economic powerhouse.

Demographics

Largest Cities in Eretzora
	Rank	City	State	Population	Rank	City	State	Population
	1	Kiryat Shlosha	Silesia	1,254,550	11	Tira	Silesia	291,754
	2	Ayalon	Ayalon Governorate	1,199,301	12	Arad	Ofakim	287,153
	3	Katzilya	Silesia	530,766	13	Givat Oz	Beit Shemesh	257,560
	4	Adora	Helvan	496,125	14	Lahav	Helvan	231,452
	5	Beit Shean	Beit Shemesh	438,909	15	Sha'ar HaAmakim	Helvan	211,511
	6	Tel Darom	Silesia	391,645	16	Hulda	Silesia	202,306
	7	Atida	Silesia	390,789	17	Ein HaShofet	Silesia	199,578
	8	Ben Yam	Silesia	352,573	18	Gadot	Beit Shemesh	171,819
	9	Beit Yayin	Ofakim	315,420	19	Tze'elim	Ofakim	168,745
	10	Giva'in Illit	Beit Shemesh	303,305	20	Yir'on	Silesia	166,967

Ethnocultural Divisions

Eretzora defines itself as an Alsterenist state, often referred to as the state of the Alstereni people (the terms Alstereni and Alsterenist are used interchangeably). The nation's Law of Priority grants any Alstereni or anyone with Alstereni ancestry the right of abode and eventual citizenship. Anyone with at least a single Alstereni grandparent is eligible. The State of Eretzora has, since its inception, categorised individuals as either Alstereni or non-Alstereni.

According to Eretzoran Central Bureau of Statistics, in 1584, of Eretzora's 42.75 million people, 87.3 percent were Alsterenis of any background. Among them, 79.3 percent were Sabras (born in Eretzora), mostly second- or third-generation Eretzorans, and the rest are olim (Alstereni immigrants to Eretzora)— 11.7 percent from neighbouring Marzannan states and Kvaenna , and 9 percent from the Near East. Alsterenis from the Marzanna region and their descendants constitute approximately 58% of Alstereni Eretzorans. A significant portion of this community, particularly recent immigrants, still associate with the culture and language of their country of origin, with some having struggled to integrate into wider Eretzoran society. There are areas of the country where it is entirely possible to survive knowing only Sniatyn, such as Gush Arba in Aylon, and many Marzannan immigrants have an insufficient level of Alstern. Alsterenis of Near Eastern origin, known locally as Mizrachim, comprise roughly 23% of the Alstereni Eretzoran population. Mizrachi Eretzorans have, since their arrival in the 60s, had a huge impact upon Eretzoran society and culture, introducing oriental influences. The community is still underrepresented in politics and remains the country's poorest Alstereni group. Mizrachim are centred around Kiryat Shlosha and the state of Ofakim. Alstereni Eretzorans of Svarnan origin are referred to as Mizrachim for statistical purposes, despite having a somewhat distinct identity and culture. Alsterenis from Kvaenna, mainly Goldecia, and their descendants constitute 17% of the total Alstereni population, and are centred in and around Silesia, particularly Katzilya, where they comprise just over 50% of the city's population. This community is particularly active in politics and many of the country's most well known celebrities are of Kvaennan origin. Alstereni intermarriage rates run at over 35% and recent studies suggest that the percentage of Eretzorans descended from more than one group increases by 0.5 percent every year, with over 25% of school children now originating from more than one community.

Non-Alsterenis make up 12.7 percent of Eretzora's population and the largest groups include ethnic Belays, Ashkeds and Vostics.

Eretzoran Alsterenists come in all colours, due to the mixing with locals in the diaspora.

Language

Alstern and Sniatyn bilingual bookstore in Ayalon.

Alstern, a language with origins from the Near East that is closely linked to Ashked, is the sole official language of the State of Eretzora. The country does, however, recognise both Sniatyn and Goldecian as national languages, granting both languages a particular legal status. Sniatyn had official status alongside Alstern prior to 1546, though it status was relegated when Esther Hotovely replaced her husband as Prime Minister. All road signs throughout the country must legally be written in Alstern, Sniatyn and Goldecian, and it is permitted for Senators to use either of the national languages when delivering speeches in the Senate. Ordinary citizens are permitted to address the Senate in their native tongue and the state provides translators when it is necessary. All schools must teach entirely in Alstern and teach an additional national language as part of the curriculum; Goldecian has recently replaced Sniatyn as the language of choice in most schools.

According to the 1580 Census, Alstern is the most widely spoken language at home, at 52.3% of the total population. Sniatyn is the mother tongue of 29.6% of Eretzorans, followed by Goldecian at 5.1% and Ashked at 3.2%. A survey conducted by the Times of Eretzora found that 88.5% of the country's population can fluently speak Alstern, with 8.1% being able to speak it to an extent and 3.4% having very little working knowledge of the language.

There are several second-languages in widespread use amongst the Eretzoran population:

• Goldecian/Florinthian, taught across the country in schools from the age of 6, 64% of the country's population claim to be able to speak the language, with 29% of them claiming to have high-level of language comprehension.
• Sniatyn, understood by approximately 55% of the total population, particularly those of former-USR origin.
• Lanlian, compulsory subject in schools from the age of 10, 41% of the population claim to be able to speak the language.
• Kuban, by just under one million people.
• Oslan, by roughly 800,000 people.
• Ashked, many dialects, by around 770,000 people.
• Saratovan, by around 600,000 people.
• Kyrzbek, by just under 200,000 people.
• Akhilli, by approximately 200,000 people.

Religion

According to the Constitution of the State of Eretzora, Eretzora is officially both "democratic and Alsterenist", though this is interpreted as being a nation state of the Alstereni people, as opposed to a state founded and based on Alsterenist religious doctrine. Still, the state is not secular and has even went as far as incorporating elements of the Alsterenist faith in the very structure of government in the country. The Chief Zokuk Authority of Eretzora has complete control over issues such as marriage, divorce and conversion for the country's Alsterenist population, and it is the sole body that possesses the power to grant mutrut certification to establishments across the country. Four other religious groups are recognised by the state and have their own religious courts: Akhadics, Sentrists, Ostrids and Daienists. All food at army bases and in cafeterias of government buildings has to be Mutar even though the majority of Eretzorans do not follow these dietary laws. The system was put in place following the collapse of the Hotovely regime in 1556 as a compromise to garner support amongst the country's religious community.

Alsterenist Temple Beth Shalom in downtown Katzilya

Alsterenism is the largest religion in Eretzora; the state identifies 87.3% of Eretzorans as Alsterenists due to the interchangeable nature of the terms 'Alsterenist' and 'Alstereni'. The faith - which is commonly referred to as a distant branch of Zokukyar Akhadism, though most Alsterenists dispute this - is dominant in only Eretzora, making it the sole Alsterenist-majority nation. The country's Alsterenist population can be further divided into the following religious characterisations: 39.5% self-identify as Hiloni (secular), 33.1% as reform, 15.2% as Masorti (traditional) and 12.2% as Dati (orthodox). Due to the community's high birth rate, it is been estimated that Dati Eretzorans will comprise over 25% of the country's total population by 1600, which experts believe will negatively affect the country's economy. Secular Alsterenis identify as Alsterenist because they serve in the Eretzoran Defense Forces, they celebrate Alsterenist holidays (usually not in strict conformity with Zokuk Law), and speak Alstern. Although the term 'Orthodox' covers a broad spectrum of beliefs, Orthodox Alsterenists live their lives in accordance with religious doctrine, albeit to varying extents. Approximately 60% of those who identify as Orthodox claim to be traditional-orthodox and believe that secular Katzist nationalism and Alsterenism are compatible and can successfully coexist in the country. The remaining 40% identify as ultraorthodox and live in isolation - far from the temptations of the state's dominant culture, which is secular and somewhat liberal. Ultraorthodox communities thus choose to live in Beit Shemesh, by far the country's most religious state, and in ultraorthodox ghettos in the country's main cities, such as Mea Sharif in Ayalon.

Making up 7.3% of the country's total population, Akhadics are the country's largest religious minority. The community is comprised of ethnic Ashkeds - often economic migrants - as well as ethnic Belays, living primarily in the Yarv Valley - a disputed territory claimed by the Republic of Belayazemlya. Ostrid Eretzorans make up the second largest religious minority, at 3%, many of whom with roots from the region prior to the formation of Eretzora. Other religious minorities found in the country include Sentrists and Daienists. There is even a small, but growing, Breizhigist community, centred around Katzilya.

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  Secular Eretzorans

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  Reform Women

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  Traditional Eretzoran man

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  Orthodox Eretzorans

Culture

Cuisine

Dish containing falafel, hummus and Eretzoran salad - all associated with Eastern immigrants.

Eretzoran cuisine includes local dishes as well as typical Alstereni dishes brought to the country by immigrants from the diaspora. Many dishes are thus influenced by the cuisine of places such as Severyane, Goldecia and the Near East. Since the establishment of the State of Eretzora in 1525, a distinct Eretzoran fusion cuisine has developed and has even spread to other parts of the world, particularly in areas where Alsterenis are present. Eretzoran food has recently adopted, and continues to embrace, elements of Eastern cuisine - that is, the foods and ingredients associated with the Near East, and the Alstereni communities found there in particular - such as falafel, hummus, shakshouka, couscous, and za'atar. Severyan cuisine dominated prior to the arrival of millions of Eastern immigrants in the early 60s and is still popular across the country, primarily in Silesia and Ayalon, where Alsterenis from the former Union of Socialist Republics dominate.

Approximately 40% of Eretzora's Alsterenist population claim to follow mutar at home. Restaurants with mutrut certification are found throughout the country, though were somewhat rare prior to the 60s. Despite such a growth, only 25% of total restaurants in Eretzora have mutrut certification in 1582, perhaps reflecting the largely secular values of those who dine out. Only the Chief Zokuk Authority possesses the power to grant certification and the process is rather costly. The consumption of products containing fish is rare throughout the country, even in secular strongholds such as Silesia, albeit to a less extent than in the rest of the country. Vegetarianism and veganism are emerging trends in the country, particularly in the predominantly secular coastal cities. It is estimated that 1 in 5 Eretzorans are either vegetarian or vegan, with the figure in Silesia being roughly double, at 2 in 5. There is thus an emerging market for foods suitable for vegetarians and vegans in the country as the trend becomes more and more popular and widespread.

Music and Dance

Ilanit Amit- Eretzoran singer.

Eretzora is home to a wide variety of music styles and the Eretzoran music scene contains influences from throughout the world, owed primarily to the immigration of Alsterenis from all corners of Siora. Until the arrival of around two million Alsterenis from Kvaenna in the 1540s, musical styles from Severyane and other former republics of the Union of Socialist Republics dominated and had the greatest impact on the Eretzoran music scene, so much in fact that songs in the Sniatyn language were almost as common as those in Alstern. The newcomers, who often resented anything related to Severyane and its culture, including the Sniatyn language, introduced new musical styles and influences, favouring instead a distinct Eretzoran musical identity centred around the Alstern language and themes such as the struggles the Alstereni people have been subjected to throughout history. Eretzoran music experienced a major shift in regards to styles and influences in the 60s, as a result of the arrival of millions of Alsterenis from the Near East. The new style that developed - known as Mizrachi (Eastern) - combines styles from Brigidna, Kvaenna and the Near East, and is usually sung in Alstern, though may include verses in Ahsked and other languages from the Near East. Although initially associated with only the communities of Near Eastern origin, the styles has grown to become one of the most widespread styles in the country in recent years.

The nation's canonical folk songs, known as "Songs of the Land of Eretzora," deal with the experiences of the pioneers in building the Alstereni homeland. The Hora circle dance introduced by early Alstereni settlers was originally popular in the moshavim and outlying communities. . It became a symbol of the Katzist reconstruction and of the ability to experience joy amidst austerity. It now plays a significant role in modern Eretzoran folk dancing and is regularly performed at weddings and other celebrations, and in group dances throughout the country. Modern dance is a flourishing field, with cities such as Kiryat Shlosha, Ayalon and Ktazilya all being home to prestigious dance schools. Ballet is considerably popular throughout the country, particularly in areas where those of former USR origin reside. The Ayalon Academy of Ballet is viewed as one of the most prestigious ballet institutions in the world.

Sport

Beitar Katzilya - the country's top team playing Macabi Ayalon.

Association football is by far the most popular spectator sport in the country, closely followed by rugby and then basketball. The Eretzoran Premier League is the country's premier football league and the largest clubs in the country include Beitar Katzilya, Macabi Ayalon, Hapoel Ayalon and Macabi Yuval. Whilst the Eretzoran national team has repeatedly failed to qualify for the SIFA World Cup, Beitar Katzilya and Macabi Ayalon - the country's largest two teams - have enjoyed some international success, qualifying for various Brigidnan competitions. Football rivalry has in recent years become an issue for security forces, especially the associated hooliganism. Riots frequently break out between supporters of opposing teams, particularly when Beitar Katzilya and Macabi Ayalon are playing. Basketball is the sport in which the country has achieved its greatest international success, having won the Brigidnan championship four times. Macabi Yuval, representing Yuval in Kiryat Shlosha, is the country's top basketball team and has been the champion for twenty consecutive years. Other teams that have had considerable success include Macabi Ayalon and Macabi Tel Darom. The Eretzoran Premier Rugby League is the country's premier rugby union league, which has become more popular in the last thirty years. The sport is particularly popular amongst the Goldecian-speaking community and the largest club in the country is ASA Katzilya. The national team has had some international success, and is presently ranked as the 19th best team in the world, its best ranking yet.

Man enjoying game of chess in Margav Park, Tel Darom.

Chess is widely popular across Eretzora and is enjoyed by Eretzorans of all ages. Although widespread, chess is often associated with Eretzorans with roots from the former Union of Socialist Republics. There are many Eretzoran grandmasters and Eretzoran chess players have won a number of youth world championships. Eretzora stages an annual international championship and hosted the World Team Chess Championship in 1580. The Ministry of Education and the World Chess Federation agreed upon a project of teaching chess within Eretzoran schools, and it has been introduced into the curriculum of some schools. Eretzoran grandmaster Avidgor Sharansky won the Chess World Cup twice, in 1578 and 1580. The city of Tel Darom currently has one of the highest concentration of chess grandmasters of anywhere in the world, owed mostly to the immigration of Alsterenis from Severyane in the 1560s.