loser's paradise

no trip to Copenhagen would be complete without a visit to Christiania. this is what wikipedia says about it:

Christiania, also known as Freetown Christiania is a partially self-governing neighbourhood of about 850 residents, covering 85 acres. Christiania has established semi-legal status as an independent community, but has been a source of controversy since its creation in a squatted military area in 1971. Its open cannabis trade was tolerated by authorities until 2004. Since then, measures for normalising the legal status of the community have led to conflicts, and negotiations are ongoing. 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.

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, hard drugs and bikers' colors.

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, amphetamine, ecstasy and heroin.

if you want to read a more colorful description about Christiania try this link: http://www.hackwriters.com/Christiana.htm

to be honest, i was not overly impressed. granted, i was only there for about an hour so maybe it was just my initial impressions, but it looked very third world and was filled with shifty eyed people. i wouldn't be caught in there after dark. christiania became a social experiment in the 70's - people of all backgrounds living in an active participitory democray with their own laws. however, many of its founding ideals are currently pretty mainstream - freecycling, recycling, repurposing, use of green space, organic foods, etc. i really wonder how relevant it is today.


perhaps i am just being ignorant and would look at it differently if i spent more time truly understanding what kind of community it was. it is a utopian society where liberal ideals and progressive lifestyles prevail or simply a place for backpackers and homeless to sit and get stoned all day?