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 Thanks to everybody who helped make the 2008 London Anarchist Bookfair a huge success. By everybody, we mean stall holders; those who ran meetings; groups who came along on the day and helped distribute publicity beforehand; everybody who helped on the day, beforehand and afterwards; and of course all of us who came along and participated. From feedback so far, it seems people thought the day was really productive. Let’s hope for many more. If you want to give any feedback about ANY bit of the bookfair email us at mail@anarchistbookfair.orgWe have now sorted a time and place for the 2009 London Anarchist Bookfair. It will again be at Queen Mary’s College on the Mile End Road and will be on:
Saturday 24th October 2009
We are having a rest now, or getting on with other projects, but will be sending out booking forms around May/June 2009. If you want to be sent one, again email us. We have left up meetings, films and cabaret from the 2008 programme, so you can see what went on. Nearer the time we will put up the 2009 programme instead. But, check out the links page for anarchist groups and campaigns around the UK and also the list of other bookfairs around the world.
Financial Appeal
We have finally put the figures together from this years London Anarchist Bookfair and we again lost money. This is mainly because the venue costs were quite expensive and this year we also had to hire in a load of tables and screens from a company who were a lot more expensive and also we had a few more costs with bringing in specific speakers. We sort of knew this might happen, but we don't really want to put the cost of stalls or meetings up any more, as it would have meant certain groups wouldn't be able to come. And, this is something we really didn't want to happen. We could also look for a cheaper venue, but we think everybody agrees that the venue is good for the bookfair and also the venue are really helpful and supportive - which is a real plus.
So, again we are asking groups and individuals if they could help meet our deficit, which is about £1,000. This could be a regular thing as well, so any long term financial help would be much appreciated. There are only a few of us in the bookfair collective, and we ain't got much experience of putting on gigs etc to raise money. So, if anybody could see their way to helping with a benefit gig or two that would be great.
All and any donations gratefully received. You can either send donations to "Anarchist Bookfair" at co/ Freedom Bookshop, 84b Whitechapel High Street, London, E1 7QX or go onto our website and donate via the paypal account.
Please pass this onto anybody else you think might be willing to donate.
Getting to the venue
The venue for this year's London Anarchist Bookfair, for the 2nd year running, is Queen Mary & Westfield College, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS.
If you are coming by public transport the following buses stop near the college on Mile End Road: 25; 205; 339.
If you are coming by tube the two nearest stations are Mile End (central line / Hammersmith & City line or District line) or Stepney Green (Hammersmith & City line or District line). From Mile End tube come out of station and turn left. Walk along Mile End Road until you get to Harford Street and entrance to venue is opposite Harford Road. From Stepney Green tube come out of station and turn left. Walk along Mile End Road and venue entrance is on your left opposite Harford Road.
See map of the venue and surrounding area. Ignore the arrow.
Last Word
The 2008 publicity should really have read “London “ Anarchist Bookfair. Anarchists all over the UK are putting on successful events – bookfairs in Bristol, Manchester, Bradford and Norwich and Durham as well as Newcastle’s Projectile festival. No-one can say that anarchists can’t organise. These are great social events and a real opportunity to spread anarchist ideas as well as debating them. We know anarchist politics aren’t about organising a bookfair. All of us in the Bookfair collective would choose a big, effective, militant anarchist movement over a successful bookfair. Let’s use these events to take things forward.
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