Today anarchism as a political ideology is often associated with a rejection of (formal) organisation and sticking to a limited political subculture. And certainly there is a significant part of the anarchist movement that fits this description. On the other hand there are many anarchists – historically and today – who argue that formally organising as anarchists, for example in an anarchosyndicalist union or in an anarchist federation, and taking part in broader social struggles at the workplace, the neighborhood or in feminist and anti-racist movements is necessary to push the struggle for social revolution and liberation forward. The anarchist bookfair brings together some people who might identify more with the first description and others who identify more with the latter – and a lot of people who don’t feel like they belong or want to belong to either tendency. While it’s good to have this huge mix of various tendencies at one place we feel that it’s also necessary to come together specifically as anarchists that favor organisation and a class-struggle orientation.
Sadly at the bookfair, there was not enough space and time anymore to allow such a meeting. Therefore we want to create such a space of open discussion in addition (not against it) outside of the bookfair. We want to use this meeting to get to know each other, talk about the situation of the anarchist movement in the various countries we come from and discuss how we can advance the struggle for liberation and build strong anarchist organisations. We especially want to look at the situation and the perspectives in the Netherlands but also talk about developments in other parts of Europe and the world. The meeting will take place on saturday evening at the Infokafee Bollox which is part of the Anarchist Library Amsterdam (Eerste Schinkelstraat 14-16, 1075 TX). We will start at 8:30pm, so that everyone is able to take part in the bookfair, eat something and then join us afterwards. A bar will give out drinks and will also stay open after the end of the discussion till around 12pm. So even if you cannot make it at 8:30, feel invited to join us afterwards! The best way to get to the Infokafee is via public transport. Walk from the location of the bookfair (Plantage Doklaan) to K.-Gravesandestr. Station, take the Metro 1 in direction Osdorp De Aker and get out at Rhijnvis Feithstraat Station. Walk from there to Infokafee.
The event is hosted and planned by Die Plattform – Anarchacommunist Federation from Germany and will take place in English.
We are really looking forward to meeting you all, hear from your experiences and ideas and build new contacts and networks!”
