14/3-09 – New website finally up and running!
In the english section of the website, we will post information about the house, pictures and news!
The banner: http://www.dortheavej-61.dk/media/2937/banner-400-english.jpg
How does it work?
In order to maintain a true alternative, it is evident to confront those who violates others freedom. Therefore we have 5 simple guidelines that we expect everyone in the house to respect at all times. These are as follows:
* NO RACISM! Racism in governments and public is increasing and there is no doubt that having pale skin makes a lot of things a lot easier in Denmark. In Ungdomshuset, we do not tolerate discrimination based on skin colour, ethnical origin or language.
* NO SEXISM! We are all being forced into rigid binary gender roles, dividing us into gender stereotypes with different possibilities and expectations. Women furthermore face discrimination by constant questioning and constant risk of physical as well as psychological abuse and violation. Sexism is actions and opinions founded in the belief that men should have any birth given privileges towards others.
* NO HOMOPHOBIA / HETEROSEXISM! Heterosexism shows its face in the belief that biological genders should define our gender identities, sexualities and choice of partners. Automatically assuming others are heterosexual or believing others are wrongdoers because they are not is heterosexism and violation towards others.
* NO VIOLENCE! Violence is a common mean of oppression and we do not tolerate it. There is always a greater force than any individual -our unity. Of course we see a difference between violence being used to oppress others and defending oneself against it.
* NO HARD DRUGS! Any dealing with drugs causes life long quarantine and being here under the influence of drugs is a sure way to be thrown out.
Cultural politics
We never organize a concert, meeting, art exhibition or anything else for the money. Everyone working in the house, works as a volunteer activist and no one gets paid. Because of this every person performing in the house only get transport expenses covered + food and drinks. We do not intend to support commercial music, especially not when everyone else are volunteers. Of course, we expect performers to respect our guidelines before, during and after their performance.
Activism
Volunteer activists do everything being done in the house, from every wall painted to every meal cooked and every beverage sold at shows. It can be hard work, but is a necessary part of creating an equal community. There are different groups in the house working with different kinds of tasks. Most of our activists are affiliated with one or more groups, but you do not have to be a part of a work group. If you want to be an activist in the house just show up at one of our weekly Monday meetings where we fill out our activist plan.
Direct democracy
We do not have a management and we do not have a leader. Our highest instance is our weekly general meeting at Mondays at 7 p.m. Here we coordinate our work and discuss issues regarding the house. We make all decision processes as decentralized as possible. Every group in the house make decisions by themselves, but all matters can be brought to the Monday meeting. We never make decisions by voting but by finding solutions suiting everyone. Some will claim that our way will never work, but we have been functioning this way since 1982!
THE HISTORY OF UNGDOMSHUSET
Ungdomshuset (literally “the Youth House”) was the name of the building formally known as Folkets Hus (“House of the People”) located on Jagtvej 69 in Nørrebro, Copenhagen.
ungeren-lille-outsideUngdomshuset was build by the local workers movement to function as a base in the struggle of social justice. Here they had meetings and parties during the fight. In the 1950’s many labour unions build their own houses and the house was more or less empty until the 80’s. In the 80’s, the squatter’s movement grew, and it was in this very house that the Initiative for a Youth’s House met and formed their demands to the Town Council. Within two years of massive house squatting the Town Council gave up and gave Ungdomshuset to the movement.
Ungdomshuset, was a four storey political and cultural centre. It was the base of the radical D.I.Y. scene in Copenhagen, a venue for music and rendezvous point for varying autonomous and leftist groups from 1982 until 2007 when – after prolonged conflict – it was torn down. Due to the ongoing conflict between the municipal government of Copenhagen and the activists occupying the premises, the building was subject to an intense media attention and public debate since the mid-1990s.
The house had activities going on almost every single day, from Monday meetings and political debates to shows and cinema in the weekends. Furthermore, the house had different kinds of workshops and practise rooms for local bands.
Ungdomshuset was an alternative to a world causing conflicts between people. We knew that we were not able to make a perfect society within this world, as its laws and restrictions are pressuring us and because we ourselves are also manipulated by its ways. The primary difference between the surrounding society and us is that we constantly fight the structures that causes problems betweens people
– and you are still free to join us!
dortheavej-61.dk
