København - Adria Airways

CopenhagenAdria Airways flies betweenljubljana&COPENHAGEN5-times a weekCopenhagenChristiania – A City Within a CityText: Manja Kovačič Photographs: paOla duran, profimediaCopenhagen is not known only for its celebrated design, Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaidand the healthiest lifestyle in Europe; it has a further attraction – Christiania, an autonomous,experimental and socially inclusive “free town”. For some it is a jungle in the centre of Copenhagen,for others a bastion of disrespect, but for many it is the most democratic settlement in the world.In the early 1970s there was a lack of affordablehousing and many young Danes – withthe horrible images of the war in Vietnam intheir heads – dreamed of a utopian life withoutconflict. They found an old military barracksin the centre of town, with lush greenery on34 hectares of land. Everything was alreadythere: places to live, electricity, bathrooms.Strawberries grew in the nearby gardens, andthe lakes and canals which separate the areafrom the rest of Copenhagen were full of fish.It was the perfect place for young idealists.A self-governing and self-sufficient group ofresidents evolved, which became synonymouswith the hippie movement, collectivism andanarchism. All of this was directly in contrastto the area’s military past. “Freetown Christiania”was first labelled a social experiment,but today it has around 1,000 residents and acompletely unique status which until recentlywas regulated by a special law, the ChristianiaLaw of 1989.The basic principle on which Christiania operatesis the rejection of private ownership and themarket economy, and priority is given to collectiverights. The rules for residence are determined byresidents by consensus at community meetings. Inaddition to the Danish Krone, the official currencyof Christiania is the Løn. Residents receive paymentin Løns and the coins can be used throughout thetown. The currency was introduced in 1997; beforethat they had used the Fed (Danish slang for joint;the literal meaning is “fat”). Cannabis is sold openlyat all times, while weapons, hard drugs and anyinsignia which indicate membership of individualgroups are prohibited.Owing to Christiania’s special status, Danish lawsprohibiting smoking in public do not apply here.Smoking is permitted in workplaces, restaurants,bars and clubs. Cigarettes, that is! Marijuana isstill prohibited, but tolerated. You can detect itssmell everywhere along the main street, PusherStreet, and various forms of cannabis can bepurchased at the dozen stalls, including alreadyrolledjoints. Some of the stalls have signs whichhumorously warn: Smoking kills!Cars are also prohibited, so Christiania is knownfor its bicycles. The most popular are “Christianiabikes”, with a large box in front to carrychildren or cargo.Christiania residents pay the Danish statefor water, electricity and waste removal, theirchildren attend public schools, and if there is afire, firefighters are allowed access to the area.However, they do not pay property taxes. Thestate has not allowed them to construct any newbuildings for 15 years.The town is very colourful. The buildings are decorated,painted in vibrant colours or covered withgraffiti, and the gardens are flourishing. There aretemples and shrines from various religions, andpubs where you can watch goldfish swimming38