SOCIALIST UNITY

A guest post by Andrew Burgin:

1968 changed the face of politics and defined a generation. Students across the world occupied their universities, building bonds with workers and others in struggle.

In Paris, the heart of the événements, students and workers combined to threaten the very existence of the French state.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of 1968 a conference and book fair will take place this May at Conway Hall. The aim of the event will be not just to reminisce over a glass of absinthe but to bring many from the present generation of students ,radicalised by the anti-war movement, together with some of the activists from 68.

Alain Krivine, one of the student leaders in Paris at that time, will talk about the future of revolution today. Astrid Proll , an early member of the Baader-Meinhof Group will look at the German left in 68.

Eamonn McCann will talk about the civil rights movement in Ireland and ‘Free Derry’. Jamie Reid, the graphic artist of punk and Nick Wright will remember the wave of student occupations in Britain. Sheila Rowbotham will examine the role of 68 in developing the womens movement.

The conference will bring together political actors from all traditions, anarchist, trotskyist, situationist, feminist, communist and others - such was the breadth and diversity of that movement that it belongs to no one strand. We hope to recreate a little of the spirit of 68 in the event itself.

There will be music and poetry and art and games and film and it will be free.

Full details of all the talks and to register: www.1968andallthat.net