Towards new common struggles in the Balkans
// joint statement of the participants of the 13th Balkan Anarchist Bookfair //
Between the 27th and the 29th of September 2019, individuals and collectives from the anarchist and anti-authoritarian movement in the Balkans (and farther) came together in Sofia for the 13th Balkan Anarchist Book Fair. Hailing from all across the region, we spoke in many languages: Bulgarian, Romanian, Slovenian, Macedonian, Albanian, Greek, Serbo-Croatian (and also in Polish, Italian, German, English), but we all shared a common code of communication: solidarity beyond the borders of nationalism and all divisions imposed by capitalist society.
The 13th Balkan Anarchist Bookfair was a proper way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first anarchist federation in Bulgaria. We honour our history by debating ideas, sharing practices and organising new common struggles.
The 13th Balkan Anarchist Bookfair was a proper way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first anarchist federation in Bulgaria. We honour our history by debating ideas, sharing practices and organising new common struggles.
Here are the basic points discussed and agreed upon:
1) We need to defend free social spaces (starting with Rozbrat in Poznan, Rog in Ljubljana, the squats facing eviction in Exarcheia-Athens etc.) as part of defending society against the attacks of State and Capital.
2) We need to spread international solidarity and connect class- and social struggles in the Balkans through strengthening transnational networking of struggles and groups and launching campaigns against capitalist companies that have branches in Balkan countries. Capital wants people in the Balkans separated and afraid of each other so they can be better exploited. That is why, for example, the Greek State refused to recognise Republic of Macedonia while Greek Capital had already rushed across the border and invaded workers’ rights and lives. Strengthening transnational social- and class struggles is also a strong weapon to fight nationalist agenda.
3) With the translation of Alexander Nakov’s autobiography into several languages as a starting point, combined with the presentation of the new anarchist magazine Kontra-Kultura and holding the second issue of Antipolitika, an anarchist journal from the Balkans translated into two languages, we discussed the need to exchange and translate historical texts, but also accounts of ongoing struggles all over the Balkans. We need to create a network of exchange and translation. We need to write our own history, our own histories and analyses, to give each other courage, deepen our political discussions and learn from each other.
4) Internationalised global capital needs cheap labor force and depends upon the division of the oppressed. The border regime accomplishes that through declaring migrant labourers illegal, scapegoating them and creating right-wing populism. The need for our organised common campaigns and transnational actions was stressed, that will support revolts at detention centres, fight deportations and resist the repression of migrants’ struggles. We were glad Ahmed H. from the Röszke 11 was released the exact day we were discussing a common action in Sofia protesting his prolonged detention.
Apart from the above discussions, the history of the anarchist press in Bulgaria, the theory and practice of libertarian education, the new round of femicides and witch-hunts across the world, the intersection of struggles, nationalism and fascism in the Balkans and the post-soviet syndrome, the women struggles in Rojava, as well as several books and magazines, were presented. The transnational character of the meeting was also expressed through the music program, with political bands from Skopje, Knjazevac, Sofia, etc. We appreciate comradely reception, the high level of organisation, the food and hosting arrangements.
Apart from the above discussions, the history of the anarchist press in Bulgaria, the theory and practice of libertarian education, the new round of femicides and witch-hunts across the world, the intersection of struggles, nationalism and fascism in the Balkans and the post-soviet syndrome, the women struggles in Rojava, as well as several books and magazines, were presented. The transnational character of the meeting was also expressed through the music program, with political bands from Skopje, Knjazevac, Sofia, etc. We appreciate comradely reception, the high level of organisation, the food and hosting arrangements.
5) An important date for our movement is the annual mobilization against Lukov march in Sofia, Bulgaria. See you there in February 2020.
6) The next bookfair will take place in Timisoara, Romania. See you there next September.
In a collapsing world, we build resistance, we learn together, we fight together.
Participants of 13th Balkan Anarchist Bookfair Sofia, 29th September 2019