Lowimpact.org is a non-profit organisation - a network of great people and organisations providing information, training, products & services to help you live more sustainably. In the section, ‘Change your life’, over 200 topics to engage with, from becoming a Willing Worker on Organic Farms (wwoofers) to living in intentional communities.
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.”
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.
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!
Mondamo-links. A German alternative database with a wide range of interesting links.
Mountain Bothies Association (UK)
For those who love wild and remote spaces! And many really are very remote. You may find yourself on your own or sharing with new friends.
A membership organisation (but you don't have to join) upholding the tradition of supporting wild remote dwellings for use by adventurous folk for free. Just keep to the Mountain Bothy Code!
Links to the official organisation and a more personal site focusing on Scottish bothies. But worth checking around since not all bothies are in the MBA.