May 01, 2000

Reclaim the City

Stockholm, Sweden

by Noah Tucker

This is a happy rapport from Sweden (for once). Sweden has always been a political country, with the FNL movement in the sixties and other political movements, showing the awareness of the people. But never have the movements (trance, punk, old, young) been so linked together as now. During the year 2000 a lot of parties and festivals ("Same ground, Same space", Murbräcka, Örebro) has worked as a boiling pot for different cultures. The common Swede has been able to hear and se the trance culture and getting a deeper understanding for "strange things" and the political aspects of the new (once dangerous) cultures. The biggest thing in Stockholms history ever, was when the "Reclaim the City" had a big party in the streets (with 3000 people dancing) a few weeks ago. There was samba music and hip-hop the people gathered to demand more car free streets in town and the right to dance without a police-permission. The party ended up in a central-park in Stockholm where it turned into trance-party. Everyone walking by smiled and there was a great feeling going through the collective as the ausgeflipped music echoed though the city. This time the police did nothing which makes this happening so special. The last time "Reclaim the City" took place were 250 peoples arrested and many were also injured by the police. The reason I am spreading the word about this is to show what you can do to a town with a bit of good will and collective thoughts. This is also the time to visit Stockholm, while the pot is boiling. If you have a travelling circus, party, theatre, or a band, come over and enjoy the good vibe! Photos comes from the "Reclaim the City" afterparty