Nemolands Origin

When the military decided to close the barracks on Bådmandsstræde in the late 1960s, no one could have imagined in their wildest dreams that the 32-hectare area would develop into what is arguably the most unique district in the world. The fact that this historic event was even possible can be attributed to the military’s belief that they could let the area and its many preservation-worthy buildings fall into complete decay, disregarding the concerns of the local Christianshavn residents.

The First Christianittes

But it was not meant to be that way. A small group of residents took “a plank in their own hands” and with it, they knocked a hole in the fence into the barrack area. The idea was to use the facilities for recreational purposes and more. Thieves and metal scavengers came, and their vandalism quickly showed that there was no supervision or control here. However, that also meant that the youth of the time, the so-called hippes and countless Scandinavian backpackers found a free place to live.

The Man Nemo

Because of the “occupation”, there would soon be no place that wasn’t occupied or inhabited – apart from the hole in the ground that used to be the military’s old shooting ranges in the moat. It was in these buried ranges a young man named Nemo moved in and started selling fresh fruit and vegetables for the occupants.

Bullshit MC

In the beginning, Nemoland was almost like a hole in the ground. In the first half of this era, Bullshit MC was in charge of the pub Nemo. Some will say, that Bullshit wasn’t a real “MC CLUB”, but instead it was individualized, with each member having their own dream of a life above the “comic book level”. The members of Bullshit included many notable personalities, whereof many are said to live quiet family lives outside of the freetown today.

Bullshit MC are thrown out of Christiania and the bourgeoisie wins

After all, the limit was reached when Bullshits “businesses” in town affected all of Christiania with violence, shootings, murder and body disposal. The Christianits would not tolerate it and decided at a short assembly to throw out Bullshit MC.
Two big personalities acknowledged this gesture by beginning a thorough reconstruction of the pub Nemo. Of course, there was a ban on photography – nobody wanted to be immortalized in their gang-jackets.

New Times

The pub Nemo quite frankly took a U-turn. The field in front of Nemo was cleared and leveled, and you could experience the famous Christiania-painter KAZMIR, who has painted many anniversary paintings for Christiania. Nemo had now become the place, where you could have a good time, even without a penny in your pocket. Often there would be different theme-parties and live music, always with free entrance. At the end of the era, the “hole in the ground” had evolved to what we know today as Café Nemoland, where only a few administrative measures needed to be taken to make the authorities outside of the fence recognize Nemoland. All in all, a period where rockers were replaced with suburbia.

Christianias businesses evolve.

Christianits are usually neither dumb nor naïve, but a majority was convinced, that the renovation only was to camouflage a place for rockers. Many natives however, had enough people-knowledge that they during their visits got so much insight in the genuine intentions of the place, that they with time became Nemoland’s best ambassadors, which the café was and is very grateful for. Thank you.

The Active Christiania

Christiania is parted into 15 small areas/communes. Nemoland falls under “Fabriksområdet” (the factory area) along with the recycling center “The Green Hall” , Grøntsagen, the Moon fisher, and Morgenstedet all which are cafés and restaurants and then off course also our local grocery store “Indkøberen”.

“Fabriksområdet” is the part of Christiania that houses the largest part of the 500.000-750,000 yearly tourists who visit the freetown.

A Big Thank You!

Christiania’s businesses and their activities are based on an agreement with the local area’s representative assembly, a so-called “Usage Rights Agreement.” The assembly receives, processes, rejects, or approves the businesses’ applications regarding all activities, etc. Anyone who has attended a “Christiania/area meeting” must be amazed at how it is possible to reach a decision on a matter that only to a small extent relies on democracy, knowledge, and experience. Therefore, a sincere and heartfelt THANK YOU is due to the individuals who over the years, at the aforementioned meetings, have represented Nemo and later Café Nemoland. And not least, a big THANK YOU to the area representatives who, also over the years, through their positive attitude, have contributed to Café Nemoland’s historical development.

Hash Politics

In 1991 rules were established, and they would be applicable to Café Nemoland from then on. It has not been possible to purchase hash from us at Café Nemoland, which also has a ban on smoking hash indoors in consideration of our non-smoking coworkers and guests. When the authoritative representatives conduct inspection visits, it usually happens with mutual respect from all present parties.

Everyday Life At Café Nemoland

Even the area representatives understand Nemoland’s requests for different actions and activities, like the popular VIP-parties, that have become a returning cultural highlight. We at Café Nemoland see the café as a part of our lives. We care about making sure that all of Christianias guests are offered a fascinating and orderly visit, no matter the season or their economical status.

Life Onboard Nemoland

The time around the turn of the millennium was a terrific time for Nemoland. The staff was working hard, and the management helped with making the ship sail in the right direction. In the summers, visitors could now enjoy all the new plants that suddenly inhabited the square, making Nemoland one of Copenhagens most beautiful outside areas with exotic palm trees and 100 year-old olive trees. The outside-bar was rebuilt along with a new VIP-terrasse on the moat after many applications for the board of directors.  Nemoland and the bistro had become a well regarded place.

Cultures Meet At Nemoland

There was and is room for all cultures and layers of society and our cheery arrangements have filled the square with people from every corner of the world. You can sit and enjoy life without looking behind your shoulder out of fear of being recognized or caught.

The Law Is Enforced

Things came to an end when law enforcement occupied the freetown and Nemoland in 2004. The free hash market would be brought down with violence, law and power. Because of this, police was massively present every day and could with the power of a new law fine people 2000DKK for smoking cannabis… Around 3500 fines were given in a week! This led to Nemoland having some hard conditions in this time. The customers stayed away because of the police’s occupation of the freetown. Along with three bad, rainy summers in a row, this made sure the cash register was empty. In January 2007, a new management slowly formed.

Change Is Delightful

The first thing the new management embarked on was an economic rationalization and a change in leadership style. A bit of hippie style crept in with psychedelic colors on the walls and a lot of abstract art painted on facades and sculptures – it was like back to reality. New furniture was purchased for the bar, so customers really could see the change. Many worked voluntarily for several months to get the “ship” on the right course, and thus Nemoland could consist of many dedicated employees.

The Peoples Freetown

Success has a lot to do with timing and networking (and perhaps a little luck). All three things came together for Nemoland from 2007 to 2008. The summer was sunny, and the audience visited the city again, despite the elevated presence and harassment from the police. The culture shifted throughout Christiania, and the free town could in that sense be allowed to be a culture with celebration and colors and more events, which we quickly realized was the road to better times.