Ecotopia GERMANY 1st-26th of August 2012

Wed Jul 4 21:15:27 BST 2012

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Ecotopia Newsletter (1-21 Aug. 2012, Flaeming Region (Germany)

Newsletter Ecotopia 2012-07-04

Dear people,

Its three weeks to go till Ecotopia starts!
Ecotopia will happen from 1st-26th of August 2012 
in Jänschwalde near Cottbus, Germany.
Jänschwalde is close to the Polish border, and 
can be reached at regular intervals by train from 
Cottbus, a trip of about 20min. Make sure you get 
out at Jänschwalde Dorf, as there are two 
stations!This information and more will appear asap on www.ecotopia2012.org .

Ecotopia is cooperating with Climate Camp, taking 
place from 11th till 19th of August 2012 at the 
same camp site in  Jänschwalde. The area is 
dominated by heavy brown coal mining, and 
therefore energy issues are at the core of the Climate Camp.
More info about the climate camp at 
http://www.lausitzcamp.info/international-information/english/

The camp site

An open grass field hosting a small group of 
several trees, with a small ridge of forest 
across the street, at the edge of Jänschwalde. 
The owner of the field is also our friendly 
neighbour, from which we get drinkwater and, to a limited extent, electricity.
 >From the field, we have a spectucular view on 
the brown coal power station some 10km away, 
which quickly got nicknamed cloud factory last year.
Behind the forest ridge, at a 15min walking 
distance, there is an enormous brown coal mine, 
by-and by eating up the land, if its progress isnt stopped in time.

The field has a limited source of shadow only, 
please be aware of that in your packing! Hats, 
tarps, and other means of sun protection are vital with sunny weather!
Parking space for cars next to the camp site is available to a limited amount.

The village of Jänschwalde is really sweet.
A large lake area is situated about 5-8km near 
Peitz, and can be reached by bike, probably as well by local public bus.

Infrastructure

Ecotopia has no formal organization as back-up 
structure, so everything is in our individual hands.
The first week is dedicated to a merry build-up 
of what we will be needing, accompanied by our 
music and singing and those of the birds:
An info board, kitchen, showers and toilets, the 
bar, a first aid tent, and a big gathering and 
harbouring place manifesting itself as a circus 
tent. Never set up a circus tent of 17m diameter? Its awesome!
Meals are organic and vegan. If you have food 
imcompatibilies, please let us know on arrival, 
so we can take it into consideration.
Cooking and dishwashing will be done by us, the 
participants. The kitchen is run by Wam, who 
welcomes helping with cutting greens and other support he will ask of us.
Keeping the sanitary facilities and the field 
clean is a shared job as well, so we take care of our inputs and outputs.
Evenings can see a camp fire and friendly people 
chatting along till the cows come home.
With the basic structures accomplished, Ecotopia 
unfolds its familiar and yet surprising spectrum 
of workshops, action, exchange, arts and play. 
This will mix with the Climate camps activities 
for fruitful interaction. We are invited to 
support Climate camps opening action, a public 
manifestation in Cottbus about the brown coal 
mining, and alternative energy sources.
The last week is the harvesting and clearing-up 
party, leaving the field empty, and the participants fulfilled.

Necessary, practical and beautiful Things to bring

The first two points are quite essential, the 
following ones optional. Choose wisely according 
to your needs and opportunities.
your tent, sleeping bag, plate, cup, spoon and 
knife, sun as well as rain protection, other 
personal belongings, water container
money
first aid kit
tools (hammer, saw, screwdriver, pincer, nails, 
screws, string or cord, scissors, knife, tape, 
more sophisticated tools if you have and like to bring)
toilet seat with lid as contribution to the 
toilet building workshop (about 20 in total needed), toilet paper
musical instruments, playthings, colours, paint, pens and paper

The participation fee

is intended to harmonise participants financial 
opportunities. For this goal, the currency of the 
eco is introduced, with 1 eco equalling 1/1000 of 
your monthly income. The participation fee is 15 
Eco per day. The participation fee is declared in 
eco, and you convert it into the currency you use 
in daily life, thereby arriving at what you can contribute.

Workshops, seminars, performances

Ecotopia is the place to share your skills, 
knowledge, wisdom, dreams, contacts, creativity!
If you want to give a workshop, seminar or 
performance, it is very welcome to announce it 
already now. We will publish it on Ecotopias webpage.

Wanted

Participants willing to support the camp with
skills in first aid
structuring and organizing information for the camp
registration and finances: collecting the 
participation fee and keeping track of it
documentation: taking pictures, creating Ecotopias journal
During morning circles (usually after breakfast, 
paying respect to weather condions), issues of 
the day and the camp are handled and decided 
together. There is usually one or two 
facilitators, and a set of hand signs helps to 
keep group communication flowing. The language 
will mostly be English, people not fluent in this 
language can be helped with whisper translation.

Visa support

Participants needing visa support: please send an 
e-mail with your relevant personal and passport data to info at ecotopia2012.org .

Now, we are looking forward to let Ecotopia 2012 
happen together! Be welcome! Be welcome to spread the news!
Greetings from Agnes of the preparation group

Ecotopia on Facebook: http://fb.ecotopia2010.org