This is a real ‘web’, just like a spider’s – a place of connections – ideas – information – of dreams!
Our aim is to make it a Web of Hubs for alternative and free cultural spaces and people
The idea is to provide a loose-knit, non-hierarchical, web-based resource network for a wide range of what we are calling ‘Free Cultural Spaces’ (FCS). They wouldn’t necessarily use that term to describe themselves, but we need a simple, non-threatening term!
An organic farmland area near Schiphol airport – squatted, but under threat from airport business developments.
A major ‘contested’ site at a time of climate change and environmental concerns. Demos and festivals to support the site are continuing.
A Netherlands’ freespace described as:
“LBB or Landbouwbelang was an old grain storage facility. Abandoned years ago.
Since 2002, the LBB has been squatted and turned into an autonomic freezone in Maastricht for music, arts and culture. It is a collective of spaces, entrepreneurships and creative people. It creates space for experimenting, exchanging knowledge and developing sustainable and creative lifestyle.”
Magbaz Travels website has been created by and for long-term, long-distance motor-homers and cyclists. It began after they crossed Australia in April 2005. Rebecca Watts of Cairns developed the initial structure helps maintain the site. They have made three round-the-world journeys each of one-year.
At the Mushroom Farm, 70 kms from Vilnius in Lithuania. The Magick Gathering is a new psych-event with a hippy ideology. Based in 25 hectares of rural woodlands and ponds. A magick and mystical site indeed.
Very much a small acorn that being is loved and nurtured. The Mushroom Farm is set to become a venue for a variety of festivals and live events. Link to the MG facebook page.
Wild and not-so-wild camping map for southern Europe. Especially useful for Spain and Portugal. Website map.
Frank from Doel says: "An artisan group living and working in the so-called Gorgs, a part of the Pyrenees Mountains situated in Spain near an old factory in the village of Castel Follit de la Roca. Most people speak Spanish there, so it is good to bring a booklet Spanish-dutch or visa-versa, since the last locals living in the village probably don't know the 'lingua franca'. Their site is operated from the Netherlands, strangely enough...
When and where they work? They are operating constantly whilst there is good weather of Spain, but their practices are more Basque probably. They offer suggestions for free living practices. E.g. To make an outdoor kitchen for free. Check it out in real life or or visit them digitally and read in American, and French as well. Their motto is: Make more with Less..."
There’s a fair bit of evidence that ‘hippy/hippie’ type lifestyle and counter culture can be traced back to 5th and 6th century Persia and the ideas espoused by Mazdak. As a philosopher and leader he argued for vegetarianism and communal living. He argued that people needed to fight against the: ‘Five Demons’ that turned men from Righteousness – these were Envy, Wrath, Vengeance, Need and Greed.
Inevitably, he was murdered for his heresies…
It’s always nice to know a bit more about the origins of ideas and human behaviour. Being hip, originally meant ‘being aware’.
So here are some links to check out Mazdak beliefs.
Ken Kesey’s merry band. ‘You’re either on the bus, or off the bus’ circa 1964+. As immortalised in Tom Wolfe’s ‘Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test’ book. And frequently associated as the Grateful Dead’s crew with Captain Trips (Jerry Garcia) at the helm. This offers links to Prankster, Ken Babbs’ site (new pages and old pages) and some promo video for ‘Magic Trip’ documentary of the original Magic Bus, 'Furthur' trip.
Autonomous Cultural center Metelkova is a sizeable squat consisting of 7 main buildings in the center of Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana, created in the former military headquarters of the Yugoslav National Army. After the breakup of Yugoslavia, it got empty and was squatted in September 1993. Now they do not have to ‘take their water and electricity anymore, but are able to pay for it through the variety of cultural and creative activities they unfold within their Freetown of Metelkova.
A place worth visiting for real as well online !
Hard to describe or define, micro-nations include large self-governing free spaces such as Christiania and Uzupis, but also quasi temporary autonomous zones. Some are more or less imaginary!
Links to the Wikipedia Hub list and an interesting, but tongue-firmly-in-cheek ‘Independent’ article about the concept and some of the realities! Handle with humour and caution!