Christiania, Copenhagen

Christiania, also known as Freetown Christiania is a partially self-governing neighbourhood of about 850 residents, covering 34 hectares (85 acres) in the borough of Christianshavn in the Danish capital Copenhagen. Christiania has established semi-legal status as an independent community. Its open cannabis trade was tolerated by authorities until 2004.

Meditation and yoga have always been popular among the Christianites, and for many years Christiania had their own internationally acclaimed theater group Solvognen, who, beyond their theater performances, also staged many happenings in Copenhagen and even throughout Sweden. Ludvigsen had always talked of the acceptance of drug-addicts who could no longer cope with regular society, and the spirit of that belief has still not diminished, even throughout many problems sprouted due to drug traffic and use (mostly of hard drugs, however, which are illegal in Christiania). These addicts enter and remain in Christiania and are considered just as integral to the Freetown ethic as the entrepreneurs. For this reason many Danes have seen Christiania as a successful social experiment. However, for years the legal status of the region has been in a limbo due to different Danish governments attempting to remove the Christianites. Such attempts at removal have all been unsuccessful so far.

The neighbourhood is accessible through many entrances and cars are not allowed.

The people in Christiania have developed their own set of rules, independently of the Danish government. The rules forbid stealing, violence, guns, knives, bulletproof vests and hard drugs.

Famous for its main drag, known as Pusher Street, where hash and Skunk weed were sold openly from permanent stands until 2004, it nevertheless does have rules forbidding hard drugs, such as cocaine, speed, ecstasy and heroin. The commerce is controversial, but since the rules require a consensus they cannot be removed unless everybody agrees.

The region negotiated an arrangement with the Danish defence ministry (which still owns the land) in 1995. Since 1994, residents have paid taxes and fees for water, electricity, trash disposal, etc. The future of the area remains in doubt, though, as Danish authorities continue to push for its removal. On Pusher Street, cameras are not allowed, and locals will wave their hands and shout "No photo!" if they see someone trying to take a picture. I have therefore not filmed on Pusher Street to respect the wishes if the residents.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• christiania
• freetown
• copenhagen
• denmark
• christianshavn
• meditation
• autonomy
• community

[funkyalfonso]

I was there in 1972 about the time it was given up by the army. I remember the lake very well and cool people.

[kensington25]

@funkyalfonso Great place :)

[sora120592]

i love christiania. (and i love the way you pronounce it :D)

it's just a really, really cozy place to hang out. and also a lot of cool bars with music and such. in the summertime, we always go to christiania with a blanket and relaaaaaax

[kensington25]

@sora120592 It is a wonderful place and I would love to go back :)

[blackjack39]

Go to Christiania to drink a beer with your friends. Have fun there. Meet some actually nice people.

[UnknownMugiwara]

Its a really nice place with nice people. You aren't allowed to use camera in there, but that doesn't really matter because you will remember it, don't worry.

Also they make really good burgers ;)

[DonVdTheDane]

NO PHOTO!

[dutchgoing]

I need to ask a BIG favour of all of you who are passionate about Christiania as it passes an incredible 40th year. I have long wanted to make a sympathetic film about the community and was lucky enough to save some money to video it on 26/9/11. I hope to be able to visit again in 2012. It's a long time scale because things cost money even on a tiny budget. See my first film 'Amsterdam, but go to Friesland for New Years in Holland...' on my channel for more information. Thanks for the link.

[fe2nils]

@Zelcibot You need it when u get munchies :P

[Zelcibot]

@DarthMessias pot sold in the open streets. Who the fuck needs McDonalds and Burgerking then?

[pedowife4kids]

@necrolaxbutcher You are right. I was there in 1988. Christiana was a great social experiment during the 1970s seeking for a free liberal alternative way of life. That was the task of their founders but into the 1990s it turned into a dirty hole of drug dealers and criminality. There were not only weed and dope but hard dangerous stuffs like cocaine and heroine. The danish police had no other choice than to end this dangerous situaton.

[DarthMessias]

This is a shit-place! No McDonalds, no Burgerkings! What the fuck is this place?!

[simsxD]

everybody saying stuff about it: don't worry, be happy. that's what it's all about, now how can a place like this be reason for so much negativity? chillax. have a seat. and go away if you don't like it.

[xkapper]

Actually you are not allowed to use camera in there