The Constitution of Užupis

Užupis is a funky bohemian neighborhood of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, and is separated from the main city by the river Vilnelė.  In fact, its name means “beyond the river”. It is often compared to other artistic, laissez-faire, and alternative settlements such as Freetown Christiania in Copenhagen or Montmartre in Paris. It even declared itself independent as an unrecognized mock micronation on April 1st, 1997, and published a Constitution (see below).

More fascinating, it has an ambassadorship program for which applications can be submitted to its Foreign Affairs Ministry promoting human connection, creativity, tolerance, and understanding throughout the world. Ambassadors represent not just channels to formal countries, but also other free-thinking enclaves in other cities of the world and causes such as the importance of “whistling in the street”. This person’s account is of becoming the “Ambassador to Their Highnesses”, representing the tall women of Uzupis. Apply today and represent the values of Užupis in your community!

Having been a predominantly Jewish neighborhood since the 16th century and up until World War II, most of its population was killed or deported in the Holocaust, and it continued to be a decrepit and neglected neighborhood throughout Soviet rule until Lithuanian independence in 1990. Eventually, artists began squatting in the abandoned housing and creating a revived community. Today, its population includes 7,000 people, of which 1,000 are artists. The community stands as perhaps one of those testaments for the possibility of hope and rebirth from the darkest moments of history.

It is an absolutely vibrant and joyful place to spend an afternoon, or many.

The Constitution of Užupis

1. Everyone has the right to live by the River Vilnele’, and the River Vilnele’ has the right to flow by everyone.
2. Everyone has the right to hot water, heating in winter, and a tiled roof.
3. Everyone has the right to die, but this is not an obligation.
4. Everyone has the right to make mistakes.
5. Everyone has the right to be unique.
6. Everyone has the right to love.
7. Everyone has the right not to be loved, but not necessarily.
8. Everyone has the right to be undistinguished and unknown.
9. Everyone has the right to idle.
10. Everyone has the right to love and take care of the cat.
11. Everyone has the right to look after the dog until one of them dies.
12. A dog has the right to be a dog.
13. A cat in not obliged to love its owner, but must help in time of need.
14. Sometimes everyone has the right to be unaware of their duties.
15. Everyone has the right to be in doubt, but this is not an obligation.
16. Everyone has the right to be happy.
17. Everyone has the right to be unhappy.
18. Everyone has the right to be silent.
19. Everyone has the right to have faith.
20. No one has the right to violence.
21. Everyone has the right to appreciate their unimportance.
22. No one has the right to have a design on eternity.
23. Everyone has the right to understand
24. Everyone has the right to understand nothing.
25. Everyone has the right to be of any nationality.
26. Everyone has the right to celebrate or not celebrate their birthday.
27. Everyone shall remember their name.
28. Everyone may share what they possess.
29. No one can share what they do not possess.
30. Everyone has the right to have brothers, sisters, and parents.
31. Everyone may be independent.
32. Everyone is responsible for their freedom.
33. Everyone has the right to cry.
34. Everyone has the right to be misunderstood.
35. No one has the right to make another person guilty.
36. Everyone has the right to be individual.
37. Everyone has the right to have no rights.
38. Everyone has the right to not be afraid.
39. Do not defeat.
40. Do not fight back.
41. Do not surrender.

Join me for a most pleasant stroll through Užupis…