Boston Anarchist Bookfair
October 19-20, 2024
Cambridge Community Center (5 Callender St.)
Cambridge, MA
https://bostonanarchistbookfair.org/
BABF 2024 is on the way!
Get ready for the 2024 Boston Anarchist Bookfair on October 19-20 at the Cambridge Community Center, where we’re hosting a bookfair celebrating anarchism and its many forms. It’s the spot where authors, publishers, activists, and community gather for one of the longest running radical bookfairs in Boston.
Got questions or itching to get involved? Hit us up. See you there!
Feel free to contact us with any inquiries or to express interest in participating at bostonanarchistbookfair@gmail.com. We are looking forward to it!
About the Boston Anarchist Bookfair
An anarchist bookfair is a dynamic gathering that embraces the principles of anarchism—a philosophy rooted in voluntary cooperation, mutual aid, and challenging hierarchical structures. It’s an exciting space where authors, publishers, activists, and individuals from diverse backgrounds come together to explore alternative perspectives, exchange ideas, and question conventional notions of power and authority.
A Rich History of Empowering Ideas
The Boston Anarchist Bookfair boasts a legacy that traces back to its establishment in 2011. Evolving from it’s grassroots beginnings into a highly anticipated annual event, the bookfair has consistently served as an influential platform for disseminating ideas that challenge oppressive systems and inspire positive transformations. Central to the bookfair’s core values is an unwavering dedication to dismantling various forms of oppression, including white supremacy, fascism, colonialism, capitalism, and patriarchy.
As we gather at the next Boston Anarchist Bookfair, we also take this opportunity to uplift and celebrate the tireless efforts of anarchists and activists worldwide who work in solidarity towards a shared vision of a more just and liberated world. From grassroots movements to community organizing, their persistent dedication has paved the way for positive change and inspired countless individuals to challenge oppressive systems. This bookfair serves as a nexus for fostering connections and collaborations, allowing us to learn from one another’s experiences and successes. By recognizing and supporting the ongoing work of anarchists in solidarity, we renew our commitment to collective action and the continued pursuit of social justice. Together, we stand united, knowing that our shared journey towards a more compassionate and equitable society is stronger when we support each other’s endeavors.
Informed by the principles of anarchism and wider leftist thought, the bookfair encourages the cultivation of radical imagination. Through collective dreaming, we aspire to craft a future characterized by voluntary cooperation, mutual aid, and equitable relationships. This aspirational vision serves as the groundwork for forging a more just and liberated world.
Looking forward to welcoming you to this year’s event!
Workshop & Tabling Proposals
The Boston Anarchist Bookfair affirms and promotes values of mutual aid, direct democracy, anti-authoritarianism, autonomy, free association, and solidarity.
You do not need to self-describe as an anarchist to participate, run a workshop or be a vendor at the bookfair. However, we are firm in our opposition to capitalism, imperialism, patriarchy, heterosexism, transphobia, racism, colonialism, statism, fascism, slavery and all other forms of oppression; we may prohibit groups and individuals from tabling or presenting if they perpetuate or promote these attitudes.
We say "workshop" to mean any activity or event you may want to lead -- this can be a panel, a hands-on skill-share, a film showing, or something we have not even thought of yet!
To lead a workshop (or whatever) at this year's fair, please fill out the form below and await our confirmation. Our collective operates by consensus, so please be patient as we go through all of our requests!
To set up a table at this year's fair, please fill out the form below and await our confirmation. Our collective operates by consensus, so please be patient as we go through all of our requests!
We ask for a sliding scale donation from all of our vendors so that we can pay for rental of the CCC as well as other expenses involved in running and promoting the bookfair.
Two or more tables - $100-200
One Table - $20-100+
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION
Physical space
The tabling takes place in the gym of the CCC. It can be accessed from Howard Street through a set of double doors. The entrance/gym are level with the sidewalk. This is the main entrance we will use for the book fair.
The bathrooms and workshop space can be accessed from the gym via a ramp on the left side of the gym, as well as a ramp or a small set of stairs on Callender Street. (This is the main address of the building, but we encourage folks to enter through the gym primarily)
This year, we may also be utilizing the basement of the CCC. Unfortunately, the basement is not wheelchair accessible and is connected to the other parts of the building by stairs. We will do our best to ensure hybrid/remote access to any workshops or activities taking place there, or move stuff around as requested.
A map with emergency exits and a general layout of the space (and parking tips) will be sent out before the bookfair, but please email us if you have any specific questions!
COVID-19 Mitigations:
Please do not come if you are feeling sick, have tested positive for COVID-19 within 10 days of the bookfair, or have been recently exposed to someone with COVID-19.
- We encourage everyone attending the bookfair to monitor their symptoms and test before arriving if that is accessible to you.
- Masks (KF94, KN95, N95) are required for everyone at this event. Masks must be worn over your nose and mouth at all times inside of the space.
- If you need an exemption from our mask requirement, please email us at least 2 weeks before the bookfair so that we can arrange an accommodation for you.
- Please bring your own mask! But we will also be providing them at the entrance as needed.
- If you're unable to wear a mask, please email us in advance to discuss. We may be able to offer exemptions or alternatives under certain circumstances.
- This event does not require vaccination to attend, and we do not ask to see your vaccine card
-Depending on the status of COVID-19 in the Boston area, we may add additional precautions, or we may be forced to cancel in-person tabling altogether if the caseload in Massachusetts is too high
- We will have air purifiers with HEPA or MERV13 filtration throughout the space as well as Far-UVC lights. Ventilation will be adjusted and monitored throughout the fair.
We will do our best to respond to all table submissions in a timely manner.
Thanks in advance for your patience!