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!
US-based maintream media and resources network aiming to try and move ‘sustainability and green’ issues into a wider space. Some useful news stories and links
Tribal Living Forum for folk who live a bit on the edge of so-called ‘normal’ society. UK-based but fairly global mix of members. Many are new Travellers or have been part of that scene.
A former barracks on the border of Germany and Netherlands, near Luneburg. It has been transformed into an arts community. It offers living spaces, workshops and creative events. They have a lovely statement of intent, which translates into English roughly as:
“We have the will, under the guidance of the ignorant, to do the impossible for the ungrateful. We have for so long, done so much with so little that we can do everything with nothing.”
Links to two of their sites.
Lithuanian music festivals. Look like fun and frolics in some beautiful locations in the Isle of Varena. Probably mostly Electronic Dance Music (EDM) from the pics and words. They say it has been going for 13 years, but appears to be ending.
“Tundra was conceived by rave fairies and forest elves. It will be a powerful, sad, though joyous farewell to the festival that inspired and empowered so many that would not fit in the box of tedious norms; those who sought though never found, those who walked the curved lines straight to create the mysterious and positive world of TUNDRA through the graceful notes of electronic music within the arms of Mother Nature.”
A respected intentional community in Virginia, USA. Originally founded in 1967, it has adopted some interesting methods of community work and income-generation including making and selling hammocks and tofu.
Links to their website to a remarkably good collection of photos and an interesting article about their community featured in the UK’s Daily Mail newspaper.
Umsonst and Draussen: Sandy Santen in Germany tells us that there are still free festivals running, they are called U&D, which means ‘umsonst und draussen’, in English, ‘free and outside’. And he says: ‘There is an even bigger one in Poland, this year 750,000 people joined it’. This features the Polish Woodstock festival.
After the closure of Tacheles Arts Academy, ufa Fabrik remains an important ‘alternative arts’ space in Germany’s Berlin in Tempelhof. They describe it as a ‘cultural oasis’. It started life as a squat back in 1979 when the old Universal film studios were occupied. There are still a core of permanent residents and it is described as an eco-village. It hosts many diverse events and festivals.
This is the link to the official site.
UK hippy is a hub of hubs linking to gigs, festivals, conspiracy theories and more. A useful portal.
Undercurrents have produced some world-renowned documentary films offering alternative news and countercultural views. Now based in Wales. The link site includes a potted history about their film-making. Their films include documentaries on eco-villages and the Mayan people.
Unfamous Resistenza
is a French blog site with all sort of nooks and crannies of ‘alternative’ stuff. Protest, counter-culture, street-art, or, as the site proclaims (quite loudly):
You are U.R.!
Link to their blog