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 Green Left 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 Green Left's unique political coverage.
Green Left 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 Green Left 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.
Green Left continues to play an important role in supporting alternative culture and the progressive arts. The mainstream media seek to marginalise or commercialise alternative culture. Green Left 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: Green Left is the festival of the oppressed on paper, and everyone can play a part. Green Left Weekly — it's your paper.