The street in the haven of Christiania was long known for the open sale of cannabis. Eight months ago, the gang criminal presence became too much for both the residents and the police, and the stalls that sold the drug were closed down.
The residents experience the change as positive. An ice rink for ice skating has been built on Pusher street this year. The stalls that used to sell hash now sell the Danish sweet æbleskiver, which tastes like pancakes.
– We are doing this to maintain the change we started on April 6, when we closed Pusher street and kicked out the gangs. We want to keep the dark forces away when it’s dark. We do that with light and colors, says Risenga Manghezi, who is involved in and leads the change work in Christiania.
In the player above, you can see the pictures from when the ice rink was inaugurated by excited little skaters.