Culture

Marxism is a festival
of resistance. All the
meetings and forums will be
lively and engaging, but there is much
more to the event. The cultural side of resistance
will be explored through art, music, poetry, film
and theatre.

Cultures of Resistance Gig

Following the success of the last few years, Marxism 2009 will again finish with a fantastic gig. The Neville Staple Band is back by popular demand – the former lead singer with The Specials and his band promise to be as lively and raucous as last year. Supporting acts include the fantastic Iraqi rapper Lowkey. Others to be confirmed. Monday 6 July, 7pm until late The Scala, 275 Pentonville Road
Special offer: £5 for Marxism ticket holders (normally £10)

Palestinian Music of Resistance

All over the world the fight of the Palestinian people is finding new supporters and inspiring solidarity. Part of this is the role that music has played and at Marxism 2009 celebrated Palestinian hip hop group Ramallah Underground will headline a night of Palestinian cultural resistance accompanied by a very special visual show.
Saturday 9pm, Jeffery Hall (IE)

Outdoor cinema at Marxism

There is a very special addition to this year’s Marxism programme... an outdoor cinema! Weather permitting we will be showing a variety of films and documentaries on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings on the balcony of the Institute of Education Students Union. Keep your eyes open for posters and leaflets around Marxism for a full timetable of showings.
Fri, Sat & Sun evenings, on the balcony of the Institute of Education students’ union

Call Mr Robeson

Tayo Aluko presents a roller coaster journey through Paul Robeson’s remarkable life, and highlights how his radical activism caused him to be disowned and disremembered, even by the leaders and descendants of the civil rights movement. It features some of his famous songs and speeches.
Sunday 9pm, Jeffrey Hall (IE)

Hip hop – still fighting the power?

Lee Billingham (LMHR), Lowkey and Baby J open up a debate about the fighting power of hip hop, and whether it still packs the punch it once did. Has the commercial mainstream hollowed out all meaning, or is hip hop still a tool in the hands of those who want to fight back?
Friday 7pm, ULU 3A

Left in Vision 3

An art exhibition from artists on the left

Following the massive success of the past two years the Left in Vision art exhibition is back. Featured artists include photographer Yasser Alwan from Egypt, sculptor May Ayers and Carrie Reichardt.
Public launch Friday 5.30pm in ULU 3C/D and continuing throughout Marxism 2009

A Tribute to Harold Pinter

Late last year the world mourned the loss of one of the world’s greatest playwrights, Harold Pinter. Paying tribute to Pinter at Marxism 2009 will be actor/director Sam West and Guardian theatre critic Michael Billington. The discussion will be followed by a reading of some of Pinter’s work.
Sunday 7pm, SOAS Brunei Gallery

Which Side are You On?

A 90th Birthday Celebration of Folk Legend Pete Seeger

Alistair Hulett and Jimmy Ross are joined by Finlay Allison to present their tribute in songs, words and pictures to the legendary US folk singer and political activist Pete Seeger. Pete has just celebrated his 90th birthday with a huge concert in Madison Square Gardens, NY, featuring a host of performers led by Bruce Springsteen who described Pete as “a stealth dagger through the illusions this country has about itself”.
Sunday 9pm, SOAS G2

A night of Latin American film

Resistance movements and political developments across Latin America have captured the imagination of socialists worldwide. We will be screening two new documentaries from Venezuela introduced by the filmmakers. Marianella Yanes will present her film on resistance to the ruling class offensive, Venezuela: How the Bosses’ Strike was Defeated. Mike Wayne and Deirdre O’Neill will present their feature length documentary Listen to Venezuela.
Saturday 9pm, Logan Hall (IE)

Jazz - the Spirit of Resistance

Chris Searle, author of Forward Groove, joins Martin Smith, author of John Coltrane: Jazz, Racism and Resistance, to talk about the relationship between jazz and political movements. Complementing their discussion and concluding the evening will be a performance by Cuban electric violinist Omar Puente and his Latin jazz band – guaranteed to get everyone dancing.
Friday 9pm, The Venue (ULU)

A Night of Spoken Word in Celebration of Adrian Mitchell

Adrian Mitchell once said that “most people ignore poetry because poetry ignores most people”. Adrian was a pioneering socialist poet who proved that this didn’t always have to be the case. In celebration of his life, Michael Rosen hosts a night of poetry and spoken word with a reading from Adrian’s wife, Celia, and performances from Lowkey and Jean Binta Breeze.
Friday 9pm, Jeffery Hall (IE)

Classical music – From revolution to irrelevance?

We are often told that classical music has no relevance to the lives of ordinary people and is instead the preserve of the ruling class. Simon Behrman explores the political history of classical music and argues that it can be reclaimed from the elitists. With a performance from acclaimed viola player Susie Mézsáros.
Sunday, 7-8.30pm, Jeffery Hall (IE)