It’s not all as bad as you think! Come and see what’s happening down in the grassroots…
Is the rise of the far right, war, authoritarianism, ecological meltdown and the general omnicrisis getting you down? Looking for co-conspirators, some manageable ways to engage with it all, or just to feel a bit of hope? You need the legend that is: the full scale Bristol Anarchist Bookfair, back after a 5 year break in an exciting new venue. We’ll have an amazing range of Bristol campaigns across 50 different stalls. Come browse for the crew and the project that suits you best, or that mate you haven’t seen for a decade.
We’ve got over 20 free workshops on a wide range of issues. There’ll be practical sessions on how to deal with everything from immigration officials, to any lamppost based littering that might be happening in your neighborhood. We’ll be exploring the political in the personal with the ‘It Takes A Village’ discussion, through to will writing for radicals. Guidance on what’s going on with the latest changes to protest legislation and easy ways to manage your digital security. See the big picture with a Russian anti war activist and the launch of a collection of stories from Palestinian women. Get up to date with the latest Trans Liberation work or Landrights analysis, or join the plenary on effective struggle in the workplace. Hear from the activists behind the campaign that toppled Colston, and and folks organising on the front-lines of emboldened racism. Or perhaps you just need to be inspired by the Reasons To Be Cheerful Plenary, featuring regional campaign victories from the last 5 years, with an analysis of the tactics that got us there.
There’ll be a creche and kids soft play space, a free shop, free bike checks, loads of novel merch, some shiny new books and great food.
If you like stickers, big ideas and a bit of a party, put the Saturday 01 November in your diaries and see what’s brewing. The Elmgrove Centre, Elmgrove Road, Bristol, BS6 6AH between 10.30am-4.30pm
The venue is 3 minutes walk from Redland train station which is unstaffed but has step free access. The 70, 74,75,76 and 77 bus routes stop at Montpelier High School which is 6 minutes away.
Guide dogs are welcome, but due to venue restrictions dogs will otherwise need to stay outside.
The venue is wheelchair accessible, with quiet space and soft seating available close by. Workshop spaces will be separate to the main hall, with amplification available in the larger rooms. To make some of the event accessible to folks who would otherwise have to stay away from crowds, the first hour will be a fully masked space ( please dig yours out to bring if you can, but we will have spares by donation on the door). We aspire to meet as many needs as possible, please let us know in advance if there are ways we can help.
The Bookfair always has been and always will be free to attend. That said, we’re a volunteer team working on a tight budget. We don’t want to ask for your money, but we do need it. If you’re waged, sending us a pay as you feel donation to keep this unique institution ticking over will help ensure that we’re back for good.
Love and Rage
BAB
Bristol Anarchist Bookfair.
BAB’s website is here; list of stalls here.
