Siperia
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- This article is about the squat. For the region in Russia, see Siberia.
Siperia (Finnish for "Siberia") was the name of a squat in West Herttoniemi (Länsi-Herttoniemi) on the east side of Helsinki, Finland, also known as "Autonominen sosiaalikeskus Siperia" ("Autonomous social centre Siperia"). The squat occupied a small wooden house left vacant by the city council in 2002. After a failed attempt to evict the squatters, the cily council agreed to lease the place for a symbolic fee of 50 euro monthly. The lease was discontinued in December 2003, but there was no further attempts of eviction.[1]
It acted as a social centre, and as a space for underground bands and cinema.
The squat burned down in the night of June 14, 2006. The reason for fire is unknown, the house was empty during the fire.
Helsinki squatters hope to find new venues. Especially now that the other public squat in town, Vuoritalo, was evicted.