Lifestyle

FREETOWN CHRISTIANIA IS A SELF-GOVERNING AREA WITH A SMALL RESIDENT POPULATION

ESTABLISHED IN COPENHAGEN ““ DENMARK


(Source: Christiania)
(Source: Christiania)
USPA NEWS - Freetown Christiania is a self-governing area with a small resident population. Established in 1971 in an abandonned military base in Copenhagen (Denmark) by free-thinkers and hippies with ambitions of building a free society...
Freetown Christiania is a self-governing area with a small resident population. Established in 1971 in an abandonned military base in Copenhagen (Denmark) by free-thinkers and hippies with ambitions of building a free society. Since the area is indeed in a state of anarchy, no official numbers exist on crime rates so it is hard to tell if the lofty vision of the founders actually line up with reality.
The area is very small and it's citizens still pay taxes and city utilities to Copenhagen, but the residents claim that it has it's own set of laws and public services. The local laws forbid firearms, cameras, «hardcore» drugs and cars. It has no police. The main attraction for the tourists is "Pusher Street" where people can buy marijuana in an open-air market. Despite that it is illegal in Denmark.
Freetown is still known for being the origin of many Danish writers, artists and theater groups. It is considered by some to be a shining example of how anarchy is a plausible system of Government.

About Christiania´s self-management, the official statement says :

"Christiania´s self-management is built on, that every individual has a responsibility for his/her own life and his/hers home.
The resident´s in an area have a common responsibility for the area´s development and condition.
All Christianit´s, about 650 grown up´s and 200 children, have to take responsibility and action, if there is to be development in the local community. Through the individual Christianit´s self-discipline and the community´s close network have we created a district, almost without crime, violence and fear, and the responsibility is not only for the psychological environment.

Self-management also means, that if a resident is not keeping up his home, there will be no authority to come and do it for him/her.

In the individual areas the self-management work in the same way..."
Source: Christiania
Source: Christiania
Source: Christiania
Another statement says :

"The autonomous Freetown of Christiania has reached an agreement with the Danish state after many years of struggle and negotiations. A new Christiania fund will buy the area free..."

"...Forty years have passed since local residents, dreamers and hippies tore down the fence and occupied the disused military base in central Copenhagen, giving birth to the urban Freetown of Christiania..."
"...Christiania runs five childcare institutions, renovates and develops 100 acres of mixed housing and green areas with a focus on ecology, and houses a number of cultural institutions, live stages, cafés, restaurants, workshops, collectively run bussinesses etc..."

"...Christiania will continue to contribute to Copenhagen and the rest of the world. The Freetown insists on embracing the millions of guests from home and abroad, being a self-managing experiment and an unruly urban park. We must include those who are not accepted anywhere else, create quirky culture and build beautiful houses that the underprivileged can afford to live in..."
Liability for this article lies with the author, who also holds the copyright. Editorial content from USPA may be quoted on other websites as long as the quote comprises no more than 5% of the entire text, is marked as such and the source is named (via hyperlink).