The Bookfair
is well-known across North America for its plethora of workshops, booksellers,
and wide variety of events during the week-long ‘Festival of Anarchy’, leading
up to the Bookfair. In 2009, the
Bookfair won Monday Magazine’s ‘M Award’ for Best Literary Event, which
organizers say represents the Bookfair’s broad appeal to the Victoria
community.
Participants include booksellers, presses, zine makers, and
artists from all over North America and abroad, as well as affiliate groups:
Camas Books and Infoshop, the Victoria Anarchist Reading Circle, Solstice Café,
Black Raven Records, UVIC Anarchist Archive, Victoria Street Newz, Food Not
Bombs, and Radio CHLY Nanaimo.
The
Bookfair raises awareness about anarchism and social justice while celebrating
the values of autonomy, mutual aid, community, and solidarity.
Workshops focus on personal, practical, and political
applications of anarchist theory and practice. Topics include Anarchism and the Literary Imagination, the
Pros and Cons of Tree Spiking, Know Your Rights at Work, Resisting the Raven
Coal Mine, Policing Under the Context of Colonialism, and much more. This year’s Festival of Anarchy boasts
a wide variety of events including skill-shares, discussions, poetry, music,
and the launch of the Anarchist Archive online at University of Victoria’s
McPherson Library on September 7th.
Bookfair attendees can look forward to a lively exchange of
ideas, stimulating literature, and entertaining events all weekend. Food is available and a family space is
reserved for parents and children.
As organizer Serina Zapf notes, “We invite everyone to join us in the
spirit of collaboration, culture, and community.”
The Festival of Anarchy and Bookfair exemplify the positive
changes that can result when people take action in their community. Because anarchism rejects political
representation in favour of personal choices and collective decision-making, people
are encouraged to act for themselves.
“This is anarchism in action,” said organizer Nick Montgomery, “and we
encourage those who are skeptical or curious about anarchism to come out and
experience the grassroots, creative environment that the Bookfair represents.”
A complete listing of booksellers, distros, workshops,
festival events and performances, will be added to our webpage and organizers
are encouraging all those interested to check the website regularly for
updates: www.victoriaanarchistbookfair.ca. The website has more information about
accessibility, principles, and values.
