A-Infos (en) Anarchist Summer Camp in Austria 2007

Resistance - we hold this to be a synonym of vitality. In this spirit, the 
second anarchist summer camp in Austria should be a week spent living together, 
loving, laughing, debating, making plans, dancing, gathering ideas, cuddling 
and doing whatever else catches our fancy. The camp is not a holiday (the 
latter resulting from the separation of work and leisure time, which is 
dictated by society). Rather, we wish it to be an opportunity to freely mould 
our shared life during the camp, get to know each other and integrate anarchist 
theory with the practice of solidarity, during debates and workshops as much as 
in everyday life.
We are aware that such a freedom can only ever be "relative", firstly because 
we carry the legacy of authority around with us in our heads and bodies, and 
then because the anarchist camp is an island, which is limited in time and 
place, surrounded by an oppressive society. But maybe we can still manage to 
create a free space outside of dreary social normality, where we can experience 
what it is that we are fighting for and where it is that we are aiming.
In order to make this possible, it is crucial that no forms of discrimination 
or oppression be tolerated at the camp, and that everyone considers it their 
responsibility to ensure this to be the case. This means: be aware, get 
involved, and if any such behaviour is observed (in others or in yourself) then 
make sure you bring it up. Solidarity and freedom from authority, when 
genuinely experienced, give us energy and encouragement for our daily struggle.

What you will find and what you could find

The campsite comprises various fields with trees, wilderness, a small stream 
and campfires. As well as enough places for tents, the camp offers a varied 
infrastructure. There are dry rooms, a kitchen and sanitary facilities, as well 
as a limited number of beds for those who may need them. There will be computer 
facilities, which could for example be used for producing a camp newspaper, 
workshops and internet access. In the vicinity there is also a pond where you 
can swim.

Shared cooking will follow the principle that all should be able to eat 
(including vegans, persons with allergies, breastfeeding mothers…). If we 
cooperate and share the daily chores fairly (food shopping, cooking, cleaning, 
tidying up), they will take up very little of everyone's time. Solidarity and 
voluntary mutual help will however remain nothing but empty words, if in 
practice the same few people will end up doing all the chores.
What will actually happen at the camp will depend on what the participants will 
want to make of it. Don't expect to find a "ready schedule" of lectures and 
workshops: rather expect to get involved, create the workshops and debates 
yourself and with others. The experience of previous anarchist camps has shown 
that many varied and interesting topics and activities will arise spontaneously 
on site. The following and much more took place at the camp in 2006: workshops 
and debates (on subjects as diverse as post-anarchism, anarchism in Slovakia 
and anarcafeminism), a concert, women's self defence courses, a puppet show 
("A-Camp in Trouble"), stencil workshops, games ("the Anarcholympics"), films 
evenings, a party…

The scope of subjects and possibilities should go beyond "traditional 
anarchism". We would like to discuss the most diverse topics from an 
antiauthoritarian perspective: from (anarchist) utopias and theories, gender 
relationships and the critique of romantic monogamy to action forms, practical 
examples of political activism or alternative forms of communal life. The 
camp's size and nature should allow it to be multifaceted: filled with theory 
and praxis, workshops, games, music, presentations and debates, cooking, 
movies, dancing etc.

What the organising group does

The organising group takes care of preparing for the camp (arranging the 
location, publicizing the camp internationally, setting up the initial 
infrastructure…). However nothing will work on site if the camp's participants 
do not get involved and pitch the tents, organise the kitchen activities, 
procure food, cook, tidy up, look after the children, clear-up once the camp is 
over and so on. We are aware that the existence of an organising group implies 
the persistence of a knowledge-hierarchy, and will therefore do our best to 
ensure that information at the camp is spread as transparently as possible, so 
that other (collectively developed) forms of organisation may arise.
Nevertheless, there are a couple of basic decisions that we have taken in 
advance. These have been the result of intense discussions and of experiences 
that were gathered at various camps in the past, and we do not wish them to 
become a subject of argument once the camp begins. We are well aware that not 
everyone will be equally happy with these (particularly as far as dogs are 
concerned)!

· Leave your dogs at home! A large number of dogs at a camp is an annoyance to 
most participants and hinders the participation of parents with children. For 
this reason, which was born out of past experiences, we have taken the 
deliberate decision that this camp will not be open to dogs.

· A large tent will be reserved for women and transgender persons. This tent 
may function as a meeting point, a free space, or whatever else people may 
choose to make of it.

· We encourage parents to come with their children. The site is vast and offers 
plenty of opportunity to play around; furthermore a children's tent will be set 
up. What use will be made of this tent will depend on those who wish to use it. 
Bring ideas and toys! It is not just parents who should care about their own 
children: we should all try to take children and their needs into consideration.

What it could become

The 2007 anarchist summer camp in Austria wishes to bring together people and 
experiences from different countries and regions, with the aim of building a 
connect for anarchist theory and praxis. Societies that have done away with 
authority cannot spring out of books and straight into reality: rather, they 
must be born out of real life via a learning process of trial and error. The 
practice of communal living and interaction at the camp can provide us with 
experiences in self-organisation, which we may build upon in our everyday life 
and political engagement. At the same time, exposure to new anarchist and 
antiauthoritarian theories and concepts can provide us with the tools to review 
our own practice and develop new ideas. Shaping a camp together does not mean 
uncritically embracing some kind of "togetherness feelings". It is important to 
bring disagreements to the surface and be critical of each other if needed, so 
that we can learn from each other and become able to question our own 
behaviour. Even arguing can sometimes be good! Nevertheless, our behaviour in 
an anarchist camp must be shaped by the principles of solidarity and mutual 
respect, which imply the acceptance of different approaches and points of view.

With love and strength

The organisation group for the 2007 A-Camp in Austria

When - Where - How

It would be great if you could register at info@a-camp.info (if possible in 
German or English). Please also send us an email if you are planning a workshop 
(or anything else) or have any other ideas for the camp, so that we may post 
this information on the website.

Where it takes place

The camp will take place in northern Lower Austria (near Vienna). A month 
before the beginning of the camp (i.e. mid June) we will post directions and 
information on the (limited) public transport options for reaching the camp's 
location on website www.a-camp.info. Cars cannot be parked on the campsite, 
however there are parking opportunities in the vicinity.

What it costs

There is no fixed fee for attending the camp. It should be possible to cover 
all costs for the location, infrastructure and food shopping with about € 8 per 
person per day. If someone cannot afford this amount, this should not stop him 
or her from attending the camp. Those who can afford to pay more than this 
amount should act out of solidarity and do so.

As well as a tent, sleeping bag, woollen blanket and such camping basics please 
also bring your own crockery and cutlery. Please note that even on warm days it 
can get very cold during the night, so make sure that you bring waterproof and 
warm clothing!

http://www.a-camp.info/
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