Freetown Christiania

Along an old rampart in København lies one of the most unique places on Earth.  Christiania began when a group of idealists/artists/hippies decided to move into some old army barracks on the outskirts of town.  They created their own society.  Ownership, discrimination, power...these do not exist in Christiania.  Homes are not for sale.  To live in Christiania, one must be approved by a board of community members for one of the rare vacancies.  Ideologies must align.  Everything is decided by discussion.  Voting doesn't exist, only unanimous decisions. About 750 people call Christiania home, but the free and creative spirit attracts an enormous amount of visitors (especially locals). This is the land of ideas.  I don't think that this is paradise, but it's an interesting 40-year-old experiment in idealism.  So far, Christiania has remained untainted by outside government and capitalism.  Christiania has a few rules, though:  No hard drugs (translation: hash and only hash is sold freely in the streets without any legal ramifications), no fireworks, and no weapons.  The police in København attempt raids every now and then, but riots usually break out as tens of thousands of young Danes swarm into Christiania to revolt.  Christianians themselves are too peaceful to riot, but they cannot help the fervor and support of the outside community.  As I was told by a native Christianian, the locals built a Clown Army a few years back to battle the police through passive aggression because of increasing pressures from a newly-elected right-wing government. "You can't beat a clown because then it gets sad and cries.  No one wants to see a clown cry." So for now, Christiania seems to be in a perpetual state of legal and political limbo.  Here is a picture of a community house from the more suburban part of the city.  More updates on this place to follow.  My Danish culture professor took our class on a tour here, her choice.  Most Danes love it and want to share it with the world. Maybe I will start posting random anecdotes I've heard while in Christiania--I already have some great stories.  As you leave Christiania, a signpost says, "You are now entering the EU."