The citizens of the Free City have proposed to set up a Christiania Fund that would involve the transfer of ownership rights to Christiania by title deed, thereby formalizing its existing status. The Fund would enable Christiania to continue to manage its assets collectively in constructive dialogue with public authorities. The key principles of Christiania could be preserved: there would be no land or property speculation, social considerations could be safeguarded and it could continue to develop in alternative ways than the surrounding luxury and upscale building projects with largely absentee owners. Christiania wants to open up for new initiatives that would include wider population segments, but these should not be imposed through narrow private property and profit motives.

The conservative-'liberal' Danish government - reinstated for a second term in February 2005 with the Danish People's Party as parliamentary support - wants to normalize Christiania. The state owns the land that housed military installations until they were abandoned, clinching the settlement of Christiania in 1971. The current government has conceded that Christiania's residents have acquired extensive rights through improvements of buildings and infrastructure over the years. On the other hand, the government claims that some Christiania activities have damaged parts of the area's unique environment, notably the ramparts. Conversely, it stands to reason that the area would have been a lot less pristine at the present time without Christiania. The government has consented to at least open up for discussions on the creation of a Christiania Fund, but wants to take the teeth out of it by leasing the land to Christiania and sell part of it to developers. The Copenhagen City governing structures are in favour of a Christiania Fund.

In order to put weight behind Christiania's request for the establishment of a Fund in the negotiations with the government, Christiania supporters have started Fundraising for Christiania ('Foreningen til Forberedelse af Christianiafonden') or FFC. Statutes for a Fundraising body with a clear purpose, membership and board election rules, etc. were adopted on March 22, 2005. It is thus a duly registered organization with a non-profit motive. Fundraising for Christiania is not a goal in itself but a means to securing that the basic ideas that have evolved and matured in Christiania can thrive also in the future. The Free City is unique in the world.

The assets of Christiania are conservatively valued at around DKK 170 million whereas essential renovation, rehabilitation and improvement works may cost DKK 190 million at market prices. The monies collected will be transferred to the Christiania Fund upon its formal establishment with recognized rights.

A campaign has started to make a maximum number of Danish citizens subscribe to this idea and thereby show the government that Christiania and its supporters are serious in their wish, not to freeze Christiania in a time warp, but to engage in its further development in dialogue with a society that is screaming for alternatives to expensive property deals and employment-less growth. This campaign needs support from the world at large.

Activities planned for this year will culminate in a huge New Year's Party. Other big events will take place at Christiania. Not only parties but also art auctions, merchandise sale, public and company support, contributions from Christiania citizens and from foundations will hopefully help us to reach our goal.

Will you support this?

Letters and suggestions are welcome.

An account is opened in Amagerbanken

(registration no. 5201, account no. 1024718, swift code AMBK DK KK).

The Board of Fundraising for Christiania:

Sidsel Bloch, Architect

Lone van Deurs, Landscape Architect

Knud Josefsen, Ph.d., MD

Bjarne Maagensen, Artist

Karen Helveg Petersen, Economist, Ph.d.