About the bookfair
If, for just a moment, you watched or read in horror about the killing of the Marikana miners earlier this year and wondered how on earth it could be that this happened in our country or anywhere or in the first place at all; if you, even for just a second, questioned what this means about power-relations, economic distribution and political structures, or even had no such framed thinking but simply found yourself appalled by this reality so close to your doorstep; if you felt powerless or confused by the images playing out in front of you, then the Anarchist Bookfair is for you.
Anarchy, anarchism, anarchist, synonyms and near alternatives are often discarded or regarded with great scepticism by many people. But all anarchists really stand for and desire is a free and just world for all. Isn’t that what most of us want?
It is in this spirit that we invite you to join us on 8 December 2012 for the second Annual South African Anarchist Bookfair at the Theatre Arts Collective on the corner of Wesley Street and Milton Road in Observatory, Cape Town.
Anarchy, anarchism, anarchist, synonyms and near alternatives are often discarded or regarded with great scepticism by many people. But all anarchists really stand for and desire is a free and just world for all. Isn’t that what most of us want?
It is in this spirit that we invite you to join us on 8 December 2012 for the second Annual South African Anarchist Bookfair at the Theatre Arts Collective on the corner of Wesley Street and Milton Road in Observatory, Cape Town.
Books will be aplenty. People will talk. (Not at you, but in conversation with you, to find solutions together.) Concepts will fly. A party shall be had! Come learn more about anarchism, its philosophy, its proud history of resistance and its visions for a sustainable, free and equal future. There will be a wide range of radical literature, music, movies, talks, yu-ummie vegan food and more. Doors open at 10am and close at 7pm, followed by an after-party in true anarchist style at the Armchair Backpackers & Pub around the corner from the bookfair.
As someone once said: “if you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone is thinking.”
Why not take your mind on the trip and find some novel thoughts with which to occupy it?
As someone once said: “if you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone is thinking.”
Why not take your mind on the trip and find some novel thoughts with which to occupy it?
Stallholders
Soundz of the South
A radical hip-hop collective from Khayelitsha.
Zabalaza Anarchist Communist Front
The home of anarchism in Southern Africa.
The Missing Shelf
The decentralized radical bookstore that has its home at bolo'bolo infoshop and vegan cafe.
No Land! No House! No Vote! / Our Dream Is To Be Bold
A pair of books on local struggles against forced relocation and patriarchy respectively.
CrimethInc
A messy collective of anarchists, poets and dreamers.
PM Press
PM Press is a US-based publisher of anarchist and other radical literature, films, CDs and more.
Chimurenga
Chimurenga is a pan African publication of writing, art and politics.
A radical hip-hop collective from Khayelitsha.
Zabalaza Anarchist Communist Front
The home of anarchism in Southern Africa.
The Missing Shelf
The decentralized radical bookstore that has its home at bolo'bolo infoshop and vegan cafe.
No Land! No House! No Vote! / Our Dream Is To Be Bold
A pair of books on local struggles against forced relocation and patriarchy respectively.
CrimethInc
A messy collective of anarchists, poets and dreamers.
PM Press
PM Press is a US-based publisher of anarchist and other radical literature, films, CDs and more.
Chimurenga
Chimurenga is a pan African publication of writing, art and politics.
activist.co.za
Spreading radical ideas through low-cost documentary films.
The PFJ
Awesome second-hand books. Not the PJF!
bolo'bolo
bolo’bolo is an anarchist infoshop and vegan restaurant in Muizenberg. They will be serving yummy vegan food.
Maharaj
Tasty vegan Indian meals :-)
African Vegan Outreach
Promoting the health, ecological and ethical benefits of a plant-based diet.
Green Tees
Awesome radical t-shirts printed locally on ethically sourced shirts.
Spreading radical ideas through low-cost documentary films.
The PFJ
Awesome second-hand books. Not the PJF!
bolo'bolo
bolo’bolo is an anarchist infoshop and vegan restaurant in Muizenberg. They will be serving yummy vegan food.
Maharaj
Tasty vegan Indian meals :-)
African Vegan Outreach
Promoting the health, ecological and ethical benefits of a plant-based diet.
Green Tees
Awesome radical t-shirts printed locally on ethically sourced shirts.
Talks and workshops
Anastasya Eliseeva - Only tribes will survive
In today's Western society the concept of isolated family units - the nuclear/Oedipal family model - has been bred deep into our psyche, but what does it really mean for individuals and for the world as a whole? Are the alternatives really as alien and unobtainable as they seem? How can they benefit us? Anastasya's talk will explore the typical nuclear family of the capitalist world and a more anarchist model of communal living. Family is important...how big should yours be?
Mandy Moussouris - What anarchy means to me and us
A participatory workshop for all aspiring anarchists to explore our points of overlap and divergence and the opportunities for effective action arising from these.
Aragorn Eloff - Anarchy 101
If you're wondering what on earth this anarchy thing is all about, this talk is for you. Aragorn, one of the producers of the upcoming film 'Anarchism: a documentary', will explain the ins and outs of this radical political and philosophical tradition, reflecting on its ideas, history and hopes for the future.
Andrew Tsafendas Whispa Kidd - Moving on from Occupy
Reflections on the Johannesburg and Cape Town Occupy movements - their shortcomings and their possibilities for future struggles.
Peter van Heusden - Militant politics beyond 'the militant'
It is common received wisdom that in order to make a radical break with the system of domination and exploitation that we live under - in order "begin the future anew" - we need the labour of militants, revolutionaries, intellectuals (possibly organic) and the machinery of ideologies... I want to try to shift focus and imagine how we might act without adopting the (ultimately masochistic) pose of the militant, yet still remain dedicated to the abolition of the present state of things.
Anarchism in contemporary South Africa - an open panel discussion
Join us for an open discussion on contemporary struggles in South Africa and the potential role anarchism could play in these.
In today's Western society the concept of isolated family units - the nuclear/Oedipal family model - has been bred deep into our psyche, but what does it really mean for individuals and for the world as a whole? Are the alternatives really as alien and unobtainable as they seem? How can they benefit us? Anastasya's talk will explore the typical nuclear family of the capitalist world and a more anarchist model of communal living. Family is important...how big should yours be?
Mandy Moussouris - What anarchy means to me and us
A participatory workshop for all aspiring anarchists to explore our points of overlap and divergence and the opportunities for effective action arising from these.
Aragorn Eloff - Anarchy 101
If you're wondering what on earth this anarchy thing is all about, this talk is for you. Aragorn, one of the producers of the upcoming film 'Anarchism: a documentary', will explain the ins and outs of this radical political and philosophical tradition, reflecting on its ideas, history and hopes for the future.
Andrew Tsafendas Whispa Kidd - Moving on from Occupy
Reflections on the Johannesburg and Cape Town Occupy movements - their shortcomings and their possibilities for future struggles.
Peter van Heusden - Militant politics beyond 'the militant'
It is common received wisdom that in order to make a radical break with the system of domination and exploitation that we live under - in order "begin the future anew" - we need the labour of militants, revolutionaries, intellectuals (possibly organic) and the machinery of ideologies... I want to try to shift focus and imagine how we might act without adopting the (ultimately masochistic) pose of the militant, yet still remain dedicated to the abolition of the present state of things.
Anarchism in contemporary South Africa - an open panel discussion
Join us for an open discussion on contemporary struggles in South Africa and the potential role anarchism could play in these.
Join in a conversation
Too often, participation in events like this one consists of little more than buying books, listening to speakers drone on and maybe (hopefully) scoring a couple of free vegan cupcakes. Inspired by the 2012 East Bay Anarchist Bookfair, we're going to try and change this by inviting all those who join us for the bookfair to initiate conversations about whatever loosely anarchism-related stuff they'd like to discuss.
It's simple: to initiate a conversation, just drop us a mail and let us know what you'd like to discuss. We'll have a look through all the mails we receive and do our best to find common themes. Then, on the day of the bookfair, we'll set some time and space aside for each chosen conversation and invite whoever is interested to join in. We'll even provide facilitators for conversations where none of the participants feel comfortable with this role.
It's simple: to initiate a conversation, just drop us a mail and let us know what you'd like to discuss. We'll have a look through all the mails we receive and do our best to find common themes. Then, on the day of the bookfair, we'll set some time and space aside for each chosen conversation and invite whoever is interested to join in. We'll even provide facilitators for conversations where none of the participants feel comfortable with this role.
There’s already an anarchism 101 talk scheduled, so if you want to know WTF this is all about, that part is covered. However, maybe you're wondering how Marikana is linked to anarchism, or what the world will look like if there is no more capitalism, or how we solve the ecological crisis, or how we can be effective anarchists in South Africa in 2012, or how race and gender enter into all this, or about the role of technology, or what happens if there are no leaders, or if it’s possible to really abolish the economic systems we know (Really? No more money?), or, or, or...Any question is valid. And if you’re thinking it, you can bet someone else is wondering about it too, so let’s discuss it.
Anarchists love talking about things together, so let’s practice how to do it.
Anarchists love talking about things together, so let’s practice how to do it.
After-party
If you're all fired up with excitement, camaraderie and warm, fuzzy anarchist feelings after the bookfair and the thought of going straight home to bed leaves you feeling dejected and quite blue, never fear - we're going to be partying into the wee hours of the morning at the Armchair Backpackers & Pub ( 135 Lower Main Rd, Observatory).
The party starts at 7pm and there's no entrace fee! Join us for music, beer, debates about who will take out the trash in anarchy utopia, ranting crypto-Leninists, the possibility of exposing undercover police spies and the ever-present possibility of insurrection in the streets! (Possibly naked insurrection. With marching bands. Viewer discretion is advised.)
The party starts at 7pm and there's no entrace fee! Join us for music, beer, debates about who will take out the trash in anarchy utopia, ranting crypto-Leninists, the possibility of exposing undercover police spies and the ever-present possibility of insurrection in the streets! (Possibly naked insurrection. With marching bands. Viewer discretion is advised.)
Soundz of the South
Londi Gamedze
Dave Knowles
Cami Scoundrel and co.
John Shaban (Captain Stu)
All These Wasted Nuts
more to come...
Londi Gamedze
Dave Knowles
Cami Scoundrel and co.
John Shaban (Captain Stu)
All These Wasted Nuts
more to come...
Films
Anarkos: 9h00-10h00
A brief introduction to anarchism. Includes original interviews with Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn and others.
Coconut Revolution: 10h00-11h00
The modern-day story of a native peoples remarkable victory over Western Colonial power.
What To Do In Case of Fire: 11h00-13h00
Tells the humorous and touching story of six former creative anarchists who lived as house squatters in Berlin during its heyday in the 80s when Berlin was still an island in the middle of the former eastern Germany. (fiction)
The Uprising of Hangberg (local film by Aryan Kaganof): 13h00-14h00
Roses on My Table: 14h00-14h30
A small portrait of the Richmond, Va based Wingnut Anarchist Collective between February and August of 2011.
Soma, An Anarchist Therapy: 14h30-15h30
Soma is a documentary about a group therapy in Brazil which incorporates capoeira, Wilhelm Reich, and anarchism.
Women, Art, Revolution: 15h30-17h00
Through intimate interviews, provocative art, and rare, historical film and video footage, this feature documentary reveals how art addressing political consequences of discrimination and violence, the Feminist Art Revolution radically transformed the art and culture of our times.
The Angry Brigade: 17h00-18h30
Between 1970 and 1972 the Angry Brigade used guns and bombs in a series of symbolic attacks against property. A series of communiqués accompanied the actions, explaining the choice of targets and the Angry Brigade philosophy: autonomous organization and attacks on property alongside other forms of militant working class action.
A brief introduction to anarchism. Includes original interviews with Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn and others.
Coconut Revolution: 10h00-11h00
The modern-day story of a native peoples remarkable victory over Western Colonial power.
What To Do In Case of Fire: 11h00-13h00
Tells the humorous and touching story of six former creative anarchists who lived as house squatters in Berlin during its heyday in the 80s when Berlin was still an island in the middle of the former eastern Germany. (fiction)
The Uprising of Hangberg (local film by Aryan Kaganof): 13h00-14h00
Roses on My Table: 14h00-14h30
A small portrait of the Richmond, Va based Wingnut Anarchist Collective between February and August of 2011.
Soma, An Anarchist Therapy: 14h30-15h30
Soma is a documentary about a group therapy in Brazil which incorporates capoeira, Wilhelm Reich, and anarchism.
Women, Art, Revolution: 15h30-17h00
Through intimate interviews, provocative art, and rare, historical film and video footage, this feature documentary reveals how art addressing political consequences of discrimination and violence, the Feminist Art Revolution radically transformed the art and culture of our times.
The Angry Brigade: 17h00-18h30
Between 1970 and 1972 the Angry Brigade used guns and bombs in a series of symbolic attacks against property. A series of communiqués accompanied the actions, explaining the choice of targets and the Angry Brigade philosophy: autonomous organization and attacks on property alongside other forms of militant working class action.
The Really Really Free Market
C’mon, free? Are you kidding me? Everybody knows there’s no such thing as a free anything. So what’s the deal?
Seriously, there’s no deal, no transaction, no barter, no exchange of money for goods. First conceived of as a proactive way of counteracting capitalism, the RRFM is community based and built on the notion of sharing – giving and receiving as needed so that instead of hoarding unnecessary items we bought because they were marketed to us as “needs”, we have the opportunity to come together and bring what we don’t need or use anymore so that somebody else, who does actually need that item, will be able to get it FOR FREE.
How does it work? Basically we suggest a new (and also very old) type of economy known as a gift economy. The idea is that you bring whatever items you don’t need or services that you would like to offer as a gift (such as food, books, tarot readings, haircuts, crafts, a song, group music lessons, games, essentially whatever you can think of) and in return take what you need (without currency – money, credit, greed, expectation or otherwise). In this way, we have the opportunity to share our love and resources, to reconnect as human beings rather than as commodities, and to experience on a small scale what is possible on a larger scale if we share the abundance of our lives with each other.
Simple, isn’t it?
Seriously, there’s no deal, no transaction, no barter, no exchange of money for goods. First conceived of as a proactive way of counteracting capitalism, the RRFM is community based and built on the notion of sharing – giving and receiving as needed so that instead of hoarding unnecessary items we bought because they were marketed to us as “needs”, we have the opportunity to come together and bring what we don’t need or use anymore so that somebody else, who does actually need that item, will be able to get it FOR FREE.
How does it work? Basically we suggest a new (and also very old) type of economy known as a gift economy. The idea is that you bring whatever items you don’t need or services that you would like to offer as a gift (such as food, books, tarot readings, haircuts, crafts, a song, group music lessons, games, essentially whatever you can think of) and in return take what you need (without currency – money, credit, greed, expectation or otherwise). In this way, we have the opportunity to share our love and resources, to reconnect as human beings rather than as commodities, and to experience on a small scale what is possible on a larger scale if we share the abundance of our lives with each other.
Simple, isn’t it?
Contact us
Call us on (+27) 082 557 3912
Email us
Join our Facebook event
Subscribe to our Twitter feed
View a map
Want to get involved?
If you have books, CDs, DVDs, radical clothing or zines you'd like to share, or if you would like to give a talk, host a workshop, exhibit art, sing a song or incite a riot, let us know - as long as you share our vision of fighting for social justice and a better world we're happy to have you on board.
Our values
The bookfair has a policy against authoritarian, oppressive, racist, sexist, queer-phobic, ableist, speciesist and other disrespectful behavior that works against collective liberation for all communities. Leave the prejudice, intolerance and domination at home! Actually, get rid of it altogether!
Kid friendly
This space is kid friendly (music to parents’ ears!). We will have some delicious kid-liked food and activities, including supervision so that you can browse and stuff. So sorry but you won’t be able to use this as your excuse for not coming.
Email us
Join our Facebook event
Subscribe to our Twitter feed
View a map
Want to get involved?
If you have books, CDs, DVDs, radical clothing or zines you'd like to share, or if you would like to give a talk, host a workshop, exhibit art, sing a song or incite a riot, let us know - as long as you share our vision of fighting for social justice and a better world we're happy to have you on board.
Our values
The bookfair has a policy against authoritarian, oppressive, racist, sexist, queer-phobic, ableist, speciesist and other disrespectful behavior that works against collective liberation for all communities. Leave the prejudice, intolerance and domination at home! Actually, get rid of it altogether!
Kid friendly
This space is kid friendly (music to parents’ ears!). We will have some delicious kid-liked food and activities, including supervision so that you can browse and stuff. So sorry but you won’t be able to use this as your excuse for not coming.
