Last year saw the first half-hearted efforts to restart physical anarchist bookfairs amid the Covid crisis, with some success in places like Bradford, London, Manchester and even Stonehengeand this year it looks like the revival is in full swing.
Doing this feature in March, when enough book fairs have been announced to make a proper list, usually means we inadvertently miss the excellent Derry Radical Book Fairwhich tends to happen in January, but this time it also falls after Active Distro Radical book fair in Bristol last month. Apologies to these comrades, but it’s great to see them perform! Luckily for the West, Bristol is welcomed with the radical history book fair taking place later in the year.
Particularly enjoyable is a brand new effort taking place in late autumn in Peterborough – it’s been a few years since East Anglian’s last show and good luck to the organisers! All the details below, but in calendar order, we have:
- May 7: Glasgow
- May 14: Bristol
- May 14: Liverpool
- May 21: Newcastle
- September 3: Bradford
- September 24: London
- October 29: Peterborough
- November 5: Manchester
To note: All details are subject to change, whether due to unforeseen pandemic issues or because sometimes things go wrong. Let us know via the editor @Freedompress.org.uk if so, or if you want an anarchist book fair in Britain or Ireland added to the list!
Bradford
Bradford Radical Book Fair
Website | facebook event | Twitter
September 3
At the Club 1 of 12
11am-4pm
“There will be stalls and hopefully other events, lectures, poetry and talks. If you would like a stall please contact us, we plan to charge £10 per stall for this, all profits being donated to the 1 in 12 Club!
Already lined up are WYACG, PM Press, AK, Active Distribution, 0161 Festival, Pirate Press, Cubesville, and Forged Books.
Bristol
Bristol Radical History Festival
May 14 at the M-Shed
10am-4.30pm
The festival has two main themes, will reveal hidden stories, debate and agitate for a future of better pasts. The first theme focuses on state and private surveillance of labor and social movements (1792-present), while the second theme will examine the hidden histories of post-war Britain (1945-1951). Among the planned activities, conferences, workshops, walks, films, songs, exhibitions and of course stands.
Glasgow
Red and Black Clydeside Book Fair
May 7 at the Clubroom, CCA, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow
3pm-9pm
Red and Black Clydeside is part of Glasgow’s working class May Day celebrations and follows May Day on the Green the previous weekend. The event is a showcase for the libertarian left and beyond in Glasgow today. Talks, discussions, booths and a long-awaited opportunity to mingle in person.
liverpool
The 4th Liverpool Anarchist Bookfair
May 14 at Black E, 1 Great George St
11am-5pm
A day of booths and workshops including corners of Dog Section Press, Footprint and Cubesville. Free admission (donations for event costs are welcome). Books, zines and more to educate, agitate and organize! Contact them for more details on booking a stand or organizing a talk/workshop at liverpool.anarchistbookfair [at] gmail.com
London
AntiUniversity: September 25 to October 1 at various locations
Anarchist Bookfair in London: September 24, location to be confirmed
Anti-Uni: Website | Facebook | Contact: antiuniversitynow on Gmail.com
LABORATORY: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Contact: anarchistbookfairlondon on riseup.net
“Following last year’s successful collaboration, Antiuniversity Now and Anarchist Bookfair in London will join forces again this year in a week-long festival of radical learning, mutual education and printed resistance. ”
Inevitably, the original choice of September 17 was an inadvertent double-booking, so the dates were changed. Registrations to host an Antiuni event or organize a book fair stand will open this summer.
Manchester
Manchester Anarchist Book Fair
November 5 at the Museum of Popular History
10am-6pm
Just an announcement so far for this year’s event (it’s true it’s not expected for another seven months or so), but if you’re looking for more details and/or details on the space of stand, you will find below:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Email: manchester at bookfair.org.uk
Newcastle
May 21, 2022 at the Star and Shadow cinema
Facebook | Contact: newcastleanarchistbookfair [at] protonmail.com
A good number of stalls and workshops on workers’ struggle, stencil art and self-defense in a large radical hall.
Peterborough
Peterborough Radical Book Fair
October 29 at the George Alcock Centre, Whittlesey Rd, Stanground, Peterborough
11am-4.30pm
This event will include books, zines, art, workshops and meetings showcasing alternative ideas on how to organize society. Run by Peterborough Radical Bookfair Collective, in a fully accessible location. To get a booth, send them a message.
Dorset: The collective is impatient but has been have room problemsif anyone can help on this, these are their basics configuration needs.
Website
Edinburgh: The excellent Edinburgh Anarchist Feminist Bookfair has yet to be announced for 2022, but the intention is there, follow the progress (and get involved):
Website | Facebook | Twitter.
London: The folks at the London Radical Bookfair have struggled this year with the temporary loss of a key organizer (all the best to them!) so it doesn’t look like that will happen this year but the intention is to reset properly and to look to 2023.
Website | Facebook
Nottingham: The usual group behind the city’s radical book fair is Fiveleaves, who haven’t written a day on paper yet but think they’ll probably put something down and think about it. Keep an eye on them Facebook for updates!
Pictured: Detail of this year’s Newcastle Book Fair poster.
