The research begins with something like being an anthroplogist and being in this Utopian community in a way that helps me to work out what the rules and codes of behaviour are. I don't know if I'm dressed properly to go fully native. There have been lots of participant observation studies in the past where sociologists have fully entered the life of the community to get the insider story. That could be tricky in just three weeks.
Yet already I've felt the jarring as I staggered back from mainstream Copenhagen society yesterday and crossed safely back into the Christiania enclave. It reminded me of the citizen's jury work I did with the three year olds in England.
They made a story to make into shadow puppet theatre. The story began with a balloon going to flying school for the first time. The balloon was very nervous – so what happened?
Well the children decided to call the balloon Mingo. There was one helium-filled balloon outside the window, alone and outside – that was Mingo they decided. Now this was strange, because truly as we looked at Mingo – and this is the only time this happened – the string came loose and the balloon flew away.
Oh no! Where's Mingo gone?! Well. Mingo, they decided had gone to B&Q. Why? To buy some happy colours. They made a list of colours for Mingo to buy. And then? Well Mingo went to Asda. Why? To buy some happy food. Mingo was tired then and came to the flying school with all the bags of shopping.
Then all the other balloons were so happy to see Mingo with these presents that they wanted to be Mingo's friend, which made Mingo happy. The Happy Ending.
When I played back the story to the children the following week I just wanted to check if there were any other happy places Mingo might have gone. The beach or park? No he might burst there or drown. He'd go to Pound Stretcher!!
Do children hold a mirror up to the world? Denmark is the third happiest country in the world. There was a lot of shopping going on. It all seemed like hard work to me. It was good to get back to normality.
To Be Continued.
