V.I. Lenin once described revolution as a festival of the oppressed. Over the weekend of June 17-19 in Brisbane, the oppressed staged their own folk festival to celebrate the winter solstice.
Festival participants responded enthusiastically to a colourful Âé¶¹´«Ã½ Weekly stall over the course of the weekend. Numerous copies of the paper were sold, as well as many back issues. Twenty-seven people decided to subscribe to the paper, ensuring that they don't miss one issue of Âé¶¹´«Ã½'s unique political coverage.
Âé¶¹´«Ã½ was very much at home at the festival, which celebrated the solstice with a range of live performances. Many of the festival performers have supported and helped raise money for the paper, having performed benefits and other services.
The role of Âé¶¹´«Ã½ in promoting radical culture has been important since its first issues — so much so that some festival organisers were keen to take out subscriptions and show their support for the paper.
Âé¶¹´«Ã½ continues to play an important role in supporting alternative culture and the progressive arts. The mainstream media seek to marginalise or commercialise alternative culture. Âé¶¹´«Ã½ Weekly, and supporting fund raisers such as Green It Up in Brisbane, can provide the basis of a network of progressive artists and musicians.
So if you're interested, get involved: Âé¶¹´«Ã½ is the festival of the oppressed on paper, and everyone can play a part. Âé¶¹´«Ã½ Weekly — it's your paper.