We Are an Image from the Future: The Greek Revolt of December 2008

by A.G. Schwarz (Editor), Tasos Sagris (Editor), Void Network (Editor)

On December 6, 2008, the city of Athens exploded as people took to the streets to demonstrate their rage over the murder of fifteen-year-old Alexis Grigoropoulos, bringing business as usual to a screeching, burning halt for three breathtaking weeks. This is the first book to delve into the Greek December and its aftermath, in the words of those who witnessed and participated in it. Interviews and personal reflections run alongside the communiqués and texts that circulated through the networks of revolt, shedding much-needed light—and dispelling destructive myths—on the real fabric of the Greek Left that made December possible.

Genres: History, Politics, Greece, Nonfiction, Anarchism

392 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2010

Reviews

[Hope Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We have to live collectively again, redefining contemporary political philosophy and revolutionary art. Perhaps the creative teams of friends, the affinity groups, the occupied parks, the squats and the social centers can become points for bringing alive all those dreams we lost in the selfishness of our small, insignificant, individual illusions. We may have to fight against many fears, traps, deeply rooted lies, psychological complexes, and insecurities. And then we will link our daily lives with the most magical secret desires to transform the streets of Metropolis in precious moments of freedom and happiness."

"Maybe we need to start thinking about how the world we would like to live in looks like. We must use moments and images of our present life that we want to expand and activate in all their significance. We don't need any science-fiction plan for our future. We have everything here and now. We have to liberate it all from the State and the market and share it. Revolution is when the society takes life in its hands and everything that is now merchandise again becomes a gift."

"Violence and Non-Violence are not identities or morals. The same people who fight against the police have the experience and knowledge to create a park, make non-confrontational political and social demos, write a book, sing a song, play with children on the playground. The same people who make art happenings and dance in front of the police with the drums and the puppets will fight back with molotovs and stones along with the Black Block when the police come closer, and they will help their comrades to escape. The same people whom you will meet behind the barricades are the people who will organize a grocery shop with organic vegetables and fruits from the anarchist farms, and all of them participated and will participate again together in the insurrection."

[Finn · Rating 4 out of 5]

the practical advice on anarchist organizing is astounding!

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

insurrectionist porn.

[xDEAD ENDx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keepin' the insurrection alive in a captivating, but not spectacularized, way.