Backpacking in Uzupis: The Constitution of the Republic You Never Heard Of
While backpacking in Uzupis, you might have been aware I checked out the top 12 sights in this unknown self declared crazy Republic, after crossing the border across a bridge within the city of Vilnius, Lithuania. One of the key sights is checking out the constitution, which is written on the wall on Paupio Gatve street in the Republic of Uzupis.
The Constitution, which is written on the wall on Paupio Gatve street in the Republic of Uzupis
As a handy souvenir, you can buy a copy of the constitution to have, and it comes in 41 points, shared on the wall in 16 different languages. I picked up a copy in English of the constitution in the Bookshop called Keista Knygynas, run by local lady Gintare. It costs 1 Euro for the copy of it. A well worth it backpacking souvenir!
My English copy of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzupis
Here is the Constitution of Uzupis, as written in July 1998 by Thomas Chepaitis (Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzupis) and Romas Lileikis (President of Uzupis):
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 to be not loved, but not necessarily.
8. Everyone has the right to be undistinguished and unknown.
9. Everyone has the right to be lazy and to contemplate.
10. Everyone has the right to love and take care of a cat.
11. Everyone has the right to look after a dog till one or the other dies.
12. A dog has the right to be a dog.
13. A cat is not obliged to love its owner, but it must help him in time of need.
14. Everyone has the right to sometimes 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. Everyone 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 to celebrate his/her birthday.
27. Everyone shall remember his/her name.
28. Everyone may share what they possesses.
29. No-one can share what they do not possess.
30. Everyone has the right to have brothers, sisters and parents.
31. Everyone can 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 private and personal.
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.
* Some argue that the last three are mottos, not rights.
So there you have it – the crazy constitution for the Republic of Uzupis! Cool or what? Here are some videos I made in Uzupis:
Did you get your passport stamped with Uzupis entry stamp?
Ele recently posted…O kada Jūsų miestelio bažnyčioje atidarys kavinę?
Hi Ele – yes I carry two passports and got both stamped plus on every postcard I sent! Safe travels. Jonny
This is awesome, I love the different items in the constitution, my favourites have to be:
10. Everyone has the right to love and take care of a cat.
13. A cat is not obliged to love its owner, but it must help him in time of need.
Hi Paul – thanks for the comment. Time permitting I’m aiming for 2/3 more Uzupis posts in the next few days including top sights and the border crossing and passport stamping part! Great Republic to check out. Safe travels. Jonny
Are there many souvenirs in Uzupis? Iam going to the Republic of Uzupis and is there many souvenirs?
like mugs,magnets or even flags?
and is there perhaps any souvenirs of Christiania that you can find in Uzupis?
Because i saw in 1 of your photos that there was a Chrisitania flag on the souvenir photo
-Nemanja
There is also a republic between Serbia and Montenegro called Republic of Sandzak you should go there!
The capital is Novi Pazar close to the Kosovo border. It’s a self declared republic and very unknown, not many tourists go there. You are officialy in Serbia or Montenegro.
Its got a own flag and goverment even a old national anthem.
It’s totally safe place, totally recommend! I went to Novi Pazar (capital city) about 2 years ago from Montenegro with car it was great!
Hi Nemanja, thanks for the comment. Yes there are plenty of souvenirs – check my other posts on Uzupis for details. I got banknotes, stamps etc. Nothing really from Christiania though – the two countries are very different. Jonny
Hi Nemanja – great tips thanks. Yes I heard of a few breakaway republics in that area including Liberland, must be worth a trip to the Balkans – probably bout 10 countries now housed inside the former Yugoslavia. Safe travels. Jonny
Recnognized Countries by UN
Croatia,Bosnia,Serbia,Montenegro,Slovenia and Macedonia
Breakaway regions: Kosovo,Sandzak,Vojvodina,Liberland,Republika-Srpska, Brcko-Disrickt,Herzeg-Bosna,
Dubrovnik-Neretva
Tons of countries to visit!
Entry to Liberland is closed because Croatian police dont want anyone to get in the country due to its an unclaimed area between Serbia and Croatia. Some Czech guy claimed it as an own nation.
Neighter Serbia or Croatia recgnognized it. But just letting you know enrty to Liberland is illegal in Serbia and Croatia
-Nemanja
Do you cheer for Bournemouth? , I do for MCFC!
Hi Nemanja, thanks for the comment. That is a crazy extensive list!! Yes I’m a big AFC Bournemouth fan and former season ticket holder for four years before I backpacked the globe. In those days we were Division Four/League Two so these are good times for us! Safe travels. Jonny