Explore the fascinating history of Liechtenstein's national anthem, "Oben am jungen Rhein," in this episode of the Anthems podcast. The anthem's origins are intertwined with themes of nationalism and the country's unique geographical and political status as one of the world's smallest and only doubly landlocked nations. Discover how the anthem evolved from a poem written by a visiting Swiss priest to a symbol of national pride, reflecting Liechtenstein's heritage and identity. The discussion delves into the historical context that shaped the anthem and the significant changes it underwent, particularly the removal of references to Germany in the 1960s. Join us as we uncover the stories behind the music, the lyrics, and the cultural significance of this little-known gem of a national anthem.

Facts:

Back in 2001, the Prince was trying to push through a series of constitutional reforms to give himself more power—namely the right to veto and appoint judges.

As the debate raged, the Prince threatened to leave the country and take his family’s holdings with him to Vienna if he didn’t win. As for the country: He’d sell it to “Bill Gates or anyone else who can afford it”.

It’s debatable if you can actually sell a country to someone else, but it would have been pretty neat if this had actually happened.

In the end, the Prince got his way and the people supported him in a referendum.

In 2011, the entire country was put up on Airbnb.

For a fee of $70,000 a day, you could “rent” Liechtenstein. For that amount, you would get accommodations for 150 people, temporary renaming of street signs, a temporary custom-made currency, ceremonial keys to the Principality, and a wine tasting at the Prince’s estate. For additional fees, you could witness a medieval procession, and a have huge logo made out of wax. No one actually took advantage of the offer. A wedding party was planning to do it at one point, but the wedding was called off and it never happened.

WOMEN COULDNT VOTE HERE UNTIL 1986, that's ridiculous

Sources:

1. https://worldle.teuteuf.fr/ 
2. https://web.archive.org/web/20141207203448/http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/art-music-and-film/resources/my-country-%E2%80%99tis-thee 
3. https://nationalanthems.info/li.htm 
4. https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/de/articles/023401/2008-01-29/ 
5. https://www.liechtensteinusa.org/page/about-liechtenstein#:~:text=The%20country%20lies%20at%20an,the%20Grauspitz%20at%208%2C527%20feet. 
6. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna16381664 
7. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/uzbekistan/ 
8. https://historisches-lexikon.li/ 
9. https://www.balzers.li/Portals/0/contortionistUniverses/772/rsc/Item_downloadLink/Geschichte%20Gemeinde%20Balzers%20_Louis%20Vogt%20-%2027%200%202007_.pdf 
10.  https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/de/articles/006528/2008-11-27/ 
11. https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=10001622 
12. https://www.schwabenkinder.eu/de/schwabenkinder/das-schwabengehen/huetekindermarkt/ 
13. https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/ 
14. http://www.luxarazzi.com/2014/08/luxarazzi-101-oben-am-jungen-rhein.html 
15. https://www.spiegel.de/kultur/gruendlich-geruettelt-a-86fb8cae-0002-0001-0000-000043176832?context=issue 
16. https://books.google.ch/books?id=O6toAAAAcAAJ&pg=RA16-PA13#v=onepage&q&f=false 
17. https://www.thriftbooks.com/blog/poetry-through-the-ages/ 
18. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Lucy 
19. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Diocletian 
20. https://historisches-lexikon.li/Volksdeutsche_Bewegung_in_Liechtenstein_(VDBL) 

https://historisches-lexikon.li/Matt,_Gustav_Alfons