Atlantica - 01.03.2001, Page 38

Photos Charlotte Haslund-Christensen
THE HIPPY COMMUNE CHRISTIANIA IS SITUATED WITHIN
COPENHAGEN. WHAT WAS IT LIKE GROWING UP THERE?
THREE SECOND-GENERATION INHABITANTS TELL
LAURA ENGSTRØM THEIR STORIES.
IT’S NOT AN EASY JOB to make Christiania’s inhabitants talk
about their community. They’re protective in the same way
that some people are when talking about their families. It’s
nobody’s business but their own. Being born and raised in
this unconventional place near the centre of Copenhagen,
they’ve seen it all: romantic hippy life, drug-dealing and
fights with the police.
The Christianites (as the inhabitants are called) are not
like other people and Christiania is not like other places.
At least that’s what they claim. Christiania (population
approximately 1,000) centres on the old military barracks
which, since 1971, has become a haven for hippies, artists
and drug dealers, among others.
According to the Christianites neither Danish nor EU law
is in force in the community. It’s a free “city”, based on
simple rules and regulations. It has its own social structure,
and everyone has a say. Important decisions are almost
unanimous, and made at communal meetings.
Family Ties
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