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A figure is sitting with their arms folded covered in a large blue and green flag with white writing

Special event

Arbitrary Nations: Citizenship Ceremony

18 September 18.00 - 20.00

Location
Education Studio
Admission

Free, no booking required.

Celebrate Culture Night at the National Gallery of Ireland by becoming a citizen of an entirely new fictitious nation.

Created by the artist Asbestos, Arbitrary Nations playfully challenges ideas of national identity, citizenship and belonging. Join an official-looking naturalisation ceremony, where successful applicants will receive certificates of citizenship for one or more fictional nations.

Pledge your allegiance to a series of flags representing the random, fleeting and idiosyncratic traits we all share - connections that transcend the arbitrary borders we create. There is no need for passports, identification or proof of eligibility. Simply declare your allegiance before our unofficial officiators and leave as the proud citizen of as many Arbitrary Nations as you wish.

Explore the full programme for Art, Migration and the Politics of Belonging.

This event is part of our Culture Night 2026 programme of events.