http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b6/Freestate_christiania_flag.png/180px-Freestate_christiania_flag.png
Unofficial Flag of Freetown Christiania

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freetown_Christiania

Back in 1971 a group of young radicals took over an abandoned naval base in the city of Copenhagen, Denmark. Declairing independence, they enacted several rules: Cars were not allowed, hashish was sold openly but no hard drugs were allowed, stealing, bullet proof vests and guns were also forbidden.

The city had only one entrance, which had large stones blocking it. Periodically, the city of Copenhagen removed these stones but the locals quickly replaced them.

On January 4, 2004, the stands were finally demolished by the owners themselves (without stopping the hash trade, which continued on a person-to-person basis) as a way of persuading the government to allow the Free Town to continue to exist. Before they were demolished, the National Museum of Denmark was able to get one of the more colourful stands, which is now part of an exhibit

The Conservative government of Denmark, angered by the drug trade and several unsolved murders in the town, cracked down on the settlement.

See http://www.indymedia.org/en/2005/09/824032.shtml.

The Danish police has raided part of Christiania in Copenhagen, Denmark. About 200 riot police stormed the freestate and quickly sealed off 'Fredens Eng' (The Meadow of peace) which is a part of the site, where people live in trailers. In one of the biggest mass arrests in Denmark ever, the police made over 100 arrests. There are various reports of injured people. Most people have been charged with not following police orders, although some with charges relating to violence against the police.

Christinia had been self adminstrative, meaning no permit was needed to 'build' new property or have trailers parked up on it's grounds. Newly introduced law, means trailers have to leave, so new development can take place. The people from Christiania have resisted this new legislation for years. They wish to keep their autonomy and self managed decision making structures that have kept the place running for over 20 years...

At present the future of Christiania is uncertain. A number of land developers are eying the neighborhood for possible future developement. The Danish government is keeping a watchfull eye on the 800 or so residents. Periodic crackdowns on squatters have occured. At present an uneasy truce is in force between the City of Copenhagen and the self governing people of this enclave.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Entr%C3%A9e_de_Christiania.jpg/250px-Entr%C3%A9e_de_Christiania.jpg
Only entrance to Freetown Christiania

Some Danish person on Wikipedia just told me that the "Unsolved murder" thing was completely untrue. According to him there was only one murder committed in Christania and that was some bystander who got between two drug dealers or something like that. The story of the unsolved murders came from my wife who probibly got her information from her sister who lives in Copenhagen.

All the same, this place does sound amazing. I am so excited about seeing it for myself.

Popular pro-Christiania slogans
"Bevar Christiania" ("Preserve Christiania")
"Forsvar Christiania" ("Defend Christiania")

Popular anti-Christiania slogans
"Ryd Christiania" ("Clear Christiania")
"Ryd lortet" ("Clean out the dump/shit")
"Luk lortet" ("Shut the shit down")

http://www.christiania.org/main/lan.php?lan=gb

Christiania Website: In English


Christiania covers an area of more than 85 acres and houses almost one thousand inhabitants, and every year more than a million people visit the Freetown. Some of them use Christiania almost every day, while others pay a quick visit to the village located in the middle of Copenhagen.

Christiania is thus one of the greatest tourist attractions in Copenhagen, and abroad it is a well-known "brand" for the progressive and liberated Danish lifestyle. Many Danish businesses and organizations also use Christiania as a show place for their foreign friends and guests. The purpose is to show something Danish that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Among the local users are many social security recipients, pensioners, immigrants and clients from social institutions. Single mothers also visit here, not to mention the many homeless and jobless young people. Greenlanders, street people and vagabonds, all find a sanctuary here.

They all come to the Freetown to enjoy the peaceful green environment and the magic mixture of village and metropolitan life, because this is seldom possible where they live: in dark flats and dismal institutions around Copenhagen, where people are too busy to talk; where it is not welcome or perhaps even forbidden to enjoy a beer on a bench (if the meeting place has not already been done away with!).

Christiania is the "losers' Paradise," for the creative and recreational values, which we all look for, are found in rich measure in the area.

Christiania is a green, traffic-free city with paths, gravel roads and large water areas. So when you use the area, you must not worry about becoming a little wet and muddy. Many even find the lack of street-lighting a distinct advantage - the stars appear so much brighter at night. The inhabited green ramparts make for a variegated and exciting natural environment. In fact, the green ramparts of Christiania appear much more recreational and attractive to visitors than the well kept, deserted areas under the care of municipal Copenhagen.

Many people, however, abstain from exploring and using Christiania, simply because they cannot find their way around. To help those and the thousands of tourists who visit this unique place in Europe, Christiania has published the tourist guide, which you are reading now.

We welcome you and hope that your eyes will be opened to the creative and cultural values that Christiania offers. There are many things to discover in Christiania, and with this guide, we open the door to them all.

As a result, we hope that the political calls to open up the area for the population of Copenhagen will soon stop. For the whole of Christiania's lifetime, the area has been open to the public and has proved a delight for millions of people.

By GOD I wish that someone in the United States could do something like this. Actually succeed from the United States and start their own little country and make it work. AND have a government based on ANARCHISM! Of course if it was attempted here it would result in a fascist crackdown like what they did to David Koresh. :hmm:

ANARCHISMIsn't America Anarchism with laws,just a thought

Declairing independence, they enacted several rules: Cars were not allowed, hashish was sold openly but no hard drugs were allowed, stealing, bullet proof vests and guns were also forbidden.

AND have a government based on ANARCHISM!
That's a hippy comune, not an anarchistic government. The first thing they did was make rules which goes against all that anarchy stands for. You'd better go look up the definitions of anarchy and anarchism.

That's a hippy comune, not an anarchistic government. The first thing they did was make rules which goes against all that anarchy stands for. You'd better go look up the definitions of anarchy and anarchism.
In other words true anarchism is living by no laws at all. Well I would say that I have declaired my home and property to be the world's first truely anarchist state. Long live the free nation of Berwyn! :D

Sounds neat. I'll have to visit some time - maybe come summer :)

their future has and allways will be uncertain, just like any squatters community in europe.
they are sticking it out nicely though, well done. there are a few palces like this in amserdam a well, with less people though.

their future has and allways will be uncertain, just like any squatters community in europe.
they are sticking it out nicely though, well done. there are a few palces like this in amserdam a well, with less people though.
I would like to know more about these places in Amstradam. Seriously, I think its really amazing when people can create their own utopia and really make it work. (See my article on the Free Nation of Berwyn in my journal ;) )

this is one: http://www.ndsm.nl/ they are former drydocks in teh amserdam harbour, big artists community, lots of people have boats they live on, they do festivals and art experiments. I actually performed on one of those festivals once. :) the place is squatted, and police can only enter with permission or a court order. that goes for any squad in holland.

this is one that doesnt exist anymore: http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/pics/msp/ijoevers/silo.jpg well the building still exists, but they were thrown out. it was huge, had shops, a bakery, was basically selfsufficiant. about 200 people.

hthere are and were lots of other spots, a friend once lived on a boat in a 'squatted' canal, close to haarlem.... most places sooner or later disappear, though, but new ones are created as well.

oh and just outside Utrecht, theres a terrain in the woods, a former animal testing site. about a hundred people I think. they live in the baraks, service houses, caravans and self-build houses. these kinds of communities are awsome.

heres some info on the european squat movements.http://www.eur.nl/fsw/english/staff/homepages/pruijt/publications/sq-eur

this is one: http://www.ndsm.nl/ they are former drydocks in teh amserdam harbour, big artists community, lots of people have boats they live on, they do festivals and art experiments. I actually performed on one of those festivals once. :) the place is squatted, and police can only enter with permission or a court order. that goes for any squad in holland.

this is one that doesnt exist anymore: http://www.bmz.amsterdam.nl/adam/pics/msp/ijoevers/silo.jpg well the building still exists, but they were thrown out. it was huge, had shops, a bakery, was basically selfsufficiant. about 200 people.

hthere are and were lots of other spots, a friend once lived on a boat in a 'squatted' canal, close to haarlem.... most places sooner or later disappear, though, but new ones are created as well.
Cool.... can you buy drugs there?:nice:

well yes but sstt..:|

no it depends on the people, what kind of 'actitities' there are. the gorup decides their own values, since its anarchist. some communities are very normal , with working people. some squads are fortresses of all thats evil.

That's a hippy comune, not an anarchistic government. The first thing they did was make rules which goes against all that anarchy stands for. You'd better go look up the definitions of anarchy and anarchism.
The primary definition of anarchy is: Absence of any form of political authority.

That doesn't mean no rules.

That's a hippy comune, not an anarchistic government. The first thing they did was make rules which goes against all that anarchy stands for. You'd better go look up the definitions of anarchy and anarchism.
Im afraid he is right :D Christiania was created by freedom loving "flowers" and very rapidly became a haven for outlaw commerce, a veritable Mecca for all scandinavian junkies... Not an Anarchist Commune at all.´:(

In other words true anarchism is living by no laws at all. Well I would say that I have declaired my home and property to be the world's first truely anarchist state. Long live the free nation of Berwyn! :D
You mean that in order to be a part of an anarchist society I MUST live without laws? *puzzled*

what nonsense, if a conservative does anything other then conserving everything, is he then beeing un-conservative?

anarchism is an ideal, not a bunch of rules about how to be an anarchist. thats the whole point, actually. anarchists want self-rule.

actually. anarchists want self-rule.
Thats what they all want... just a little space to live :rolleyes:

Thats what they all want... just a little space to live :rolleyes: preferably the whole world, yes.

Can I immigrate please?

I would like to be minister of state oppression.

You mean that in order to be a part of an anarchist society I MUST live without laws? *puzzled*
Well suggestions yes, but not laws.

Anarchism should be voluntary.

Well suggestions yes, but not laws.

Anarchism should be voluntary.
It would hardly be voluntary involving the whole "nation". Suppose Im born into such nation and I want rules to live and function by. Do I need to exile that understanding and free commonwealth or can I use rules if I want to? :D :D :|

preferably the whole world, yes.
Thats what I feared the most :eek3:

It would hardly be voluntary involving the whole "nation". Suppose Im born into such nation and I want rules to live and function by. Do I need to exile that understanding and free commonwealth or can I use rules if I want to? :D :D :|
You can always leave.:)

You can always leave.:)
Theoretically, yes. But if such Junko-Syndico-Anarchistic community establish itself nearby where I live, on my "backyard" and I dont intend to leave?
In Sweden there are several minor denominations, ascetic ones, for example Læstadians, scandinavian equivalent of Amisch. Now they live in isolated towns up north (fighting for its existence), not in some suburb to Stockholm. Thats a natural strategy when you want to create a new type of society.

So my question is, why dont Christianites leave instaed? I know about a comunity near Lofoten, Norway, creatin such haven in an abandoned fisherman village. No bum existence like in Christiania.