Nutopia turns 50 today (1st April 2023), having been founded on 1st April 1973. However, it seems that people have largely forgotten about this state, especially after the passing of its founder many years ago.
The founder of this state was John Lennon.
Nutopia was merely a conceptual state envisioned by John Lennon, a great dreamer. He and Yoko Ono established this state primarily because they were facing deportation by the Richard Nixon administration due to their political and social activism, which clearly opposed government policies.
Even though the frenzy of Beatlemania had long since subsided, John Lennon remained a magnet for media attention. His outspoken opposition to the Vietnam War and his defiance against government authority were potent enough to keep both fans and the press captivated.
This activism, however, didn’t sit well with the powers that be. Eventually, the U.S. government, under Richard Nixon’s administration, issued a deportation order against him, citing his political and social activities as a threat to national interests.
John Lennon’s response?
Nutopia
This is the creation of Nutopia, a conceptual state born on 1st April 1973, April Fools’ Day. A touch of irony in all seriousness. A date choice that was either a stroke of genius or a cheeky jab at the absurdity of it all.
There is a documentary detailing these events called The U.S. vs. John Lennon (2006). I highly recommend seeking it out if possible, dear readers.
The origins of the name Nutopia remain ambiguous. Was it a blend of “new” and “utopia,” symbolising a fresh vision of an ideal world? Or was it a playful combination of “nut” and “utopia,” hinting at the absurdity of such a dream?
Either way, Nutopia was a state without borders, leaders, or even a population registry. It was a place where people could live freely, unshackled by rules or restrictions—a vision straight out of Lennon’s iconic song, “Imagine.”
But was it a genuine attempt at creating a new paradigm, or merely a satirical protest against the rigid structures of nation-states? The line between idealism and irony here is razor-thin.
We announce the birth of a conceptual country, NUTOPIA.
Citizenship of the country can be obtained by declaration of your awareness of NUTOPIA.
NUTOPIA has no land, no boundaries, no passports, only people.
NUTOPIA has no laws other than cosmic.
All people of NUTOPIA are ambassadors of the country.
As two ambassadors of NUTOPIA, we ask for diplomatic immunity and recognition in the United Nations of our country and its people
DECLARATION OF NUTOPIA
Press It!
The day after declaring Nutopia’s establishment, Jon Lennon held a high-profile press conference in New York City. With a straight face, he announced himself as the Ambassador of Nutopia, claiming diplomatic immunity to stay in the U.S. It was a bold move, blending humour with a sharp critique of political systems.
But let’s be honest, was anyone really taking Nutopia seriously? Or was it all just a clever ploy to buy time and mock the bureaucracy that sought to silence him?
And John, when he plays something, he has to play big and serious. He designed the flag as a clean white minimalist style!
At the press conference, he picked up a tissue, waved it and said, “This is the flag of the state of Nutopia.” (Easy to play, huh?)
To further cement Nutopia’s existence, John Lennon even composed its national anthem, “Nutopian International Anthem”
You can listen from his 1973 album Mind Games. The anthem, however, was four seconds of pure silence.
A brilliant piece of conceptual art, or a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the emptiness of nationalistic symbols? Either way, it perfectly encapsulated the essence of Nutopia.
A Country that existed more in the realm of ideas than in reality.
John Lennon was granted permanent residency in the United States a couple of years later.
And the Nutopia story faded away.