During my Spring break, I head the pleasure of visiting Copenhagen, more specifically the hippie commune located in the center of Copenhagen known as Freetown Christiania. Christiana is a unique community filled with art, music, and free-spirited people looking for an alternative lifestyle. You could spend 10 minutes in the commune and quickly forget that you are in the middle of a major city in Denmark. Against all the odds, Christiania stands definitely in the center of Copenhagen while rejecting all rules and regulations of the Danish government thus making it the perfect place to conduct my observations.
To enter Christiana, you must walk over a scenic bridge overlooking an idyllic park. This view is only the first taste of the laid back lifestyle you will find in Christiana. My first observation upon entering the commune was of the buildings. Many of the houses were mismatched and seemingly built by hand. The emphasis the community puts on art is immediately evident as nearly every home, and building in the commune is covering in rainbow murals and sculptures. In Sevilla, the majority of the buildings are built in a classic Spanish style and are in their own way, sophisticated pieces of art. In Christiana, all the building have an eclectic feeling and convey the impression that they were put together by the community and shared by everyone. This community mindset is something that bonds everyone in the Christiana commune.
Like Spain, the people of Christiana put a significant emphasis on family. In Spain, it is common for families to stay in the same household well into adulthood. When I talked to a local in Christiana, he told me that the people who lived there have lived in the community for generations and it’s impossible to become a local if you are an outsider. The exclusive nature of Christiana enables the residents to keep the community together, and out of trouble, when faced with adversity.
The main threat to Christiana come from the local police. Christiana has an area known as the “Green Light District” where weed is openly sold. This is an issue because in Denmark weed is considered illegal. When I entered the green light district, I observed a sign that warns that no photography is allowed. The sign is an attempt to protect the community from police raids. The secretive nature of Christiana’s drug trade is what attracts many tourists to the area and helps build revenue for the commune, but they are also aware that it could lead to their downfall.
Although the lifestyle of Christiana strays from the conventional Danish way of life, many of the values of the people in Christiana are similar to the values of the Spanish. They value art, family/community, and preserving their way of life for future generations. I greatly enjoyed my visit to Christiana and would recommend it to anyone who plans on visiting Copenhagen.
Tripping with Maddie 