Several months ago my post about Copenhagen focused on the traditional side of the city, covering churches, museums and parks. Today I'll share with you the less traditional but even more colorful part of Copenhagen, Freetown Christiana.
Stretched out along a set of 17th century ramparts on the eastern side of Copenhagen, Christiana was established as a commune in 1971 when squatters took over abandoned military barracks. It is now home to about 1000 people, and judging by the crowds, one of Copenhagen's greatest tourist attractions.
It operates by its own rules,
and actively discourages use of hard drugs.
It was formerly well known for marijuana dealers along Pusher Street, but they have since moved away or indoors.
It is still a freewheeling place, filled with exuberant and colorful artwork.
It seems that any surface is fair game to be embellished in some way.
And lots of things have been creatively repurposed, such as these boots turned planters.
Ingenuity extends to homes, many of which are clearly do-it-yourselfers.
No wonder that the largest store specializes in lumber and building materials!
I was left wondering what the insides of the old barracks look like and what sorts of safety upgrades have been installed.
As I mentioned in my first post about Copenhagen, I named my most recent quilt "Sunny Days in Copenhagen" because it's bright colors remind me of the sunny and color-filled days I spent in that city. Here it is, finally quilted and bound. Not quite as free-spirited as Christiana, but certainly just as colorful.
I quilted it on my long arm machine, using computer guided quilting for the motifs on the white sections and a ruler for the nine patches.
It is a seven and a half feet square, so fits nicely on a queen size bed.
Stretched out along a set of 17th century ramparts on the eastern side of Copenhagen, Christiana was established as a commune in 1971 when squatters took over abandoned military barracks. It is now home to about 1000 people, and judging by the crowds, one of Copenhagen's greatest tourist attractions.
It operates by its own rules,
and actively discourages use of hard drugs.
These days visitors to Pusher Street are more likely to be in search of coffee and a snack or shopping for souvenirs such as t-shirts and hand-crafted jewelry.
It seems that any surface is fair game to be embellished in some way.
And lots of things have been creatively repurposed, such as these boots turned planters.
Ingenuity extends to homes, many of which are clearly do-it-yourselfers.
No wonder that the largest store specializes in lumber and building materials!
I was left wondering what the insides of the old barracks look like and what sorts of safety upgrades have been installed.
As I mentioned in my first post about Copenhagen, I named my most recent quilt "Sunny Days in Copenhagen" because it's bright colors remind me of the sunny and color-filled days I spent in that city. Here it is, finally quilted and bound. Not quite as free-spirited as Christiana, but certainly just as colorful.
I quilted it on my long arm machine, using computer guided quilting for the motifs on the white sections and a ruler for the nine patches.
It is a seven and a half feet square, so fits nicely on a queen size bed.
