The City of Floran
Floran city is considered the youth capital of Atla. According to the 240 EM census the city has the youngest average population of any city on Atla by a full five years (the average age being 24). The city is run by a single mayor who perfectly balances the creative and often wild minds of the citizens with his clear thinking, level headed mind of carefully calculated actions.
Every four years the city elects its newest mayor from a group of city officials that must have served for at least 10 years in a government position before becoming eligible. Serving in the province of Floran is not required for any of the ten years and many of the city officials are not natives of the city and usually have served in provincial positions throughout Atla before ever moving to the city of Floran.
Though the city is made up mostly of young men and women, it draws a number of older individuals (usually the government officials) because of its pleasant climate and natural beauty. The area is hit yearly by tropical storms and hurricanes, but the city’s height above sea level keeps it more than safe from any storm surge. Only the winds (the heavy rains pour off the edge of the cliffs preventing any floods) are a problem, but with so few other dangers, the damages are more than manageable. Further, some of the densest and largest forests on Atla surround the city making it ideal for the elderly to retire with a large, private piece of land (that is to say, the wealthy). If the statistics of the youth are ignored, the general income and mig value of the citizens would make Floran the second wealthiest city in Atla.
The province of Floran has more liberal arts and liberal arts Magi universities than any other province on Atla. And the city of Floran has more than any other city in the province with four major universities lying throughout the relatively small land area. Several of Atla’s greatest poets, musicians and novelists live, or have lived in the city at one time. Somal, a writer who has attracted a great deal of publicity with his recent best-selling novel has one of his numerous estates near the city’s outskirts and has become something of a local hero to the student population.
Because so many people of Floran have dedicated their lives to the arts, the city is also a major tourist destination. With world class concerts and art galleries on every corner, there is some fun to be had every weekend. From religious sculptures to pop music, anything and everything can be found within the city. And, with just a little bit of digging around, a traveler can find the underground arts scene with some of the most bizarre (not to mention controversial) pieces and productions of the past and present. The Altered Enlightenment movement, of which Somal is considered an integral part, originated within the city, spreading it’s jarring, disturbing and to those who don’t ‘get it’, confusing methods across the world. Contemporary theory was born here too, with several of the major names starting their careers within the city, including once again, Somal.
Every year Floran city hosts two of the largest entertainment and arts events in Atla. The first month of each year always means AAAE (the Atla Awards for Arts and Entertainment). This prestigious award festival is known as the greatest award one can receive in arts and entertainment. Awards are given to outstanding performances and creations in every field from theater, music, street side comedy act to best choreography of lights in a musical production. The greatest names in Atla entertainment including legendary actors such as Davidson and Coulthard of the early stage productions to the contemporary stars of Elizabeth Goldren or Harry Domingo Brookhaven, are revolutionizing the way performances are experienced with the help of Magi-Tech. In a two day event, the awards are given and speeches made by and for the most famous names in Atla.
During the mid-summer Floran’s other great event, and indeed great for all of Atla, is the Atla Festival of Arts and Entertainment (AFAE and spoken as Af-uh). Not to be confused with the AAAE, this event is a festival to showcase new works, ideas and technology (though it typically produces the works which go on to win the awards at the AAAE at the beginning of the next year). For one week at the end of Feron the entire town of Floran transforms into the entertainment capital of the world, and not just for the famous. Every street corner, block, promenade, gallery, concert hall and more fills with performers and artists from around the world. Running 24 hours a day, the festivities start on the 25th of Feron with a parade and continue to the spectacular firework display which closes the event on midnight of the 31st.
Attracting crowds from all over the world, the Atla Festival of Arts and Entertainment has been a major factor in stabilizing and assisting the economy of Atla as a whole. And unlike the AAAE, you don’t need to be one of Atla’s wealthy elite to enjoy it. While it is true that private concerts by outstanding bands and musicians are performed in private venues, it doesn’t take more than a slow stroll through a park to enjoy the numberless performers who are more than happy just to have people experience their work. Nearly every event or show is free to any who will come, and those that require a fee to be paid are typically quite cheap.
With the ever expanding network of rail lines the number of excuses for missing this event each year are rapidly shrinking. In fact, travel packages tailored especially for those who have never been, have been unable to attend (for any reason including disability) or just haven’t known about it (though few can claim that now) offer extremely discounted rates which include everything from travel tickets to lodging and dining in Floran’s famous restaurants.
