Hi ! I just received a very interesting Postcard sent by Abhimnayu Pandey of Shimla from the famous Freetown Christiania, Denmark . This is a very controversial independent town of Denmark, located within Copenhagen and one of Denmark’s most popular tourist attractions .This card is a very good example of Modern Postal History with the stamps and postmarks from Christiania and Copenhagen.
Freetown Christiania (Danish: Fristaden Christiania) is a self-proclaimed autonomous neighborhood in the Danish capital Copenhagen. Christiania has its own Post office and postage stamps which is evident from this Picture Postcard that bears a postage stamp of Christiania as well as red marking of date and “ Christiania Posthus” These stamps are valid for use within Christiania. But on the outgoing mail from Christiania, Dainsh Postage stamps are to be affixed. This card bears both the markings from Christiania and Copenhagen. This is a very special card with the postally used stamp from Christiania.The stamp depicts the flag of Christiania. Such local stamps create a postal history when these are actually used on a cover or card for a valid postal purpose. Many thanks to Abhimanyu for this wonderful card !! It’s very very special for me !! …..
Card from Freetown Christiania ( Denmark) to Shamshi – Kullu (India)
Danish stamp and Cancellation of Copenhagen
Christiania stamp with red marking of date and “Christiania Posthus” and cancellation from Copenhagen.
The card bears stamp and postal marking from Christiania as well as stamp and cancellation from Denmark.
The Pagoda, Northern Area - Christiania
The freetown Christiania was founded in 1971 by a group of hippies who developed their own set of rules, completely independent of the Danish government.
Entrance to Christiania
Christiania is one of the greatest tourist attractions in Copenhagen, and abroad it is a well-known "brand" for the progressive and liberated Danish lifestyle. Many Danish businesses and organizations also use Christiania as a show place for their foreign friends and guests. The purpose is to show something Danish that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Christiania, also known as Freetown Christiania (Danish: Fristaden Christiania) is a self-proclaimed autonomous neighbourhood of about 850 residents, covering 34 hectares (85 acres) in the borough of Christianshavn in the Danish capital Copenhagen. Civic authorities in Copenhagen regard Christiania as a large commune, but the area has a unique status in that it is regulated by a special law, the Christiania Law of 1989 which transfers parts of the supervision of the area from the municipality of Copenhagen to the state. It was closed by residents in April 2011, whilst discussions continue with the Danish government as to its future, but is now open again.
Christiania has been a source of controversy since its creation in a squatted military area in 1971. Its cannabis trade was tolerated by authorities until 2004. Since then, measures for normalising the legal status of the community have led to conflicts, and negotiations are ongoing.Among many Christiania residents, the community is known as staden ('the town'), short for fristaden ('the freetown').
The Postal System
Christiania has its own Postal system and postage stamps which are valid within Christiania.
Currency
Although the Danish Krone is accepted on the streets of Christiania, the official currency is the Løn, which are minted each year. Locals are paid in Løns, and the coins can be used throughout the town. The Løn has been issued since 1997; previously Christianites used a currency called the Fed and, in one year, the Klump. Hemp tokens, also known as "Nemos", which could be exchanged for cannabis, were also in circulation
The flag
Flag of Christiania
The flag of Christiania is a red banner with three yellow discs representing the dots in the "i"s in "Christiania".The colours were supposedly chosen because when the original squatters took over the former military base, they reportedly found a large amount of red and yellow paint.
