Bristol's annual anarchist bookfair on 7 May attracted its largest turnout yet, as the vitality, creativity and politics of the anarchist movement continues to attract ever greater interest

Bristol's annual anarchist bookfair on 7 May attracted the largest turnout yet for the fourth year running, as the vitality, creativity and politics of the anarchist movement continues to attract ever greater interest.With the credibility of the established political parties and the capitalist system we live under at an all-time low, visitors to the bookfair lapped up the ideas, books and debates available.

It is of course impossible to tell how many people came into the bookfair as a result of the sale of the Banksy fundraising print outside, or who checked out the bookfair whilst checking out the events in the same venue as part of the Montpelier arts trail, but the increased flow of visitors from 10.20am in the morning until late into the afternoon was constant. The 850 bookfair programmes available were gone soon after 1pm, stalls and meetings were busy all day, and the bookfair cafe had run out of over 300 main meals by 3pm. Donations on the door were way up on last year, covering most of our costs - thanks to all who donated.

Once again the sun shone, for most of the day at least, bringing an at times festival like feeling to the serious business of resisting the onslaught of the ConDem Coalitions vicious attacks on the working class, and creating real alternatives to the chaos and destruction of capitalism. The decent weather alongside the hot topics up for debate and the growing anger at the inequalities inherent in the failing system around us combined to see the building near to overheating. But the genuine sense of co-operation amongst visitors and organisers of the events ensured a fairly smooth running day was once again a good example of anarchism in practice


Of course there are always some minor problems, such as not enough space for eating at the cafe, the clash of noise in the building disrupting some meetings and workshops, and the narrow stairways struggling to cope with the foot traffic during changeovers between workshops....but from feedback received so far their were no major issues or incidents.

Outside the venue, the long queue for the Bansky print started early, and meant the sale of the print was over pretty quickly. Many thanks to those from Hamilton House and PRSC who helped ensure that all went so smoothly. (We didnt take any photos outside the venue, others did and there's some harmless ones here and here). The local police kept an etremely low profile, bordering on non-existence, in sharp contrast to their intrusive bullying presence of recent weeks. Unsurprisingly their absence led to a lightening of the mood inside and outside the venue, ensuring bookfair participants were able to concentrate solely on the bookfair. For the sake of the communities in and around Stokes Croft we hope this continues.

The Bookfair collective would like to express our thanks to all those who visited, participated and helped out both on the day and beforehand in so many ways. Thanks also to our coalition partners who took on key aspects of the bookfair - Bristol Indymedia, Bristol Radical History Group, and the various collectives at Kebele social centre.

We have a very few bookfair fundraising t-shirts left (see image). Sizes left are men's large, and women's medium (ie 10-12) and large (ie 12-14). Cost £8 plus £1p&p, or pick one up direct from us at the feedback meeting next week.

Lastly, we appreciate feedback on the event from anyone who took part. You can download the attached pdf, complete it and send it back. Copies also available in other formats on the bookfair website. Or you can come along to the Feedback Meeting we have arranged for next Sunday, 15 May, 5pm at Kebele social centre (14 Robertson Rd, Easton BS5). If you are interested in helping out with a future bookfair, get in touch or come along on Sunday.

Love & solidarity
Bookfair collective