Is jollity the watchword for the cover of issue 351, as represented by a clown with a big round nose? Well, not exactly; this issue is challenging and stimulating as ever, but not full of laughs, nor would we expect it to be, as subjects from all over Italy and the wider world are considered. However, wry smiles may be provoked by the title of a book of anarchist writings recently published by BFS entitled “La rivoluzione e’ una suora che si spoglie” [Revolution is a nun stripping]. This issue contains some excerpts from the book, by Carlo Oliva (foreword), Pino Cacucci and Valerio Evangelisti. And speaking of ..., Diego Giachetti looks back to the heady days of 1969, when there was music and revolution in the air.
In À nous la liberté Felice Accame discusses cobblers and philosophers, whose works are apparently not so distant from each other after all. Who said all philosophy is cobblers?
Inside there is a14-page dossier profiling the various anarchist archives, libraries and study centres spread around Italy and Italian Switzerland, compiled by Luigi Balsamini and reported on by Massimo Ortalli. Carlo Oliva talks about the myth of the working class and the 19th-century poet Olindo Guerrini.
Maria Matteo once again reports on the latest in the anti-TAV campaign in Val di Susa. From north to south, and Umberto Pellecchia comments on the disturbing events in the southern town of Rosarno, in which local people clashed with immigrants. In Fatti&Misfatti, there is a statement by representatives of the FAI on the events of Rosarno; also in that section is a piece by Gianni Sartori about the recent sentence by the Russian government against Memorial, the Russian association for the defence of human rights.
In Florence, a meeting promoted by the magazine “Carta” on the theme of democracy.
Atill in Tuscany, Fabrizio Dentini reports on a demonstration in Livorno against “state homicides”, people killed by police violence. Speaking of the state, state education under Berlusconi is analysed by Stefano d’Errico; this is followed by a photo reportage by Paola Orlandini on a students’ demonstration in Piazza San Babila in Milan.
Still in Milan, the plan for a new sculpture dedicated to Pinelli at Porta Garibaldi railway station; photos by Roberto Gimmi and graphics by Gianfranco Aresi.
Franco Grillini on how gay people should necessarily be lay people (i.e. avoid organised religion).
A piece by the geologists of the eco-environmental laboratory of the Forte Prenestino Social Centre on Berlusconi, Opus Dei, natural disasters and the connections between them. And remaining with environmental themes, Milena Magnani reports on Orto di Tu’rat, an pilot environmental project in Salento.
Federico Premi reports from Verona, where there is not music, but a paranoia in the air, thanks to the new mayor-sheriff.
Andrea Papi comments on the current state of anarchism, affirming that anarchist ideas are more relevant and necessary than ever.
In this month’s …e compagnia cantante, Alessio Lega tells of the singer-songwriters of Prague. Remaining with music, but of another genre, Andrea Staid interviews DJ Malatesta and Drowning Dog, Californian hiphop artists.
In the libertarian review, Federico Battistutta reviews “Sentieri in Utopia” by Martin Buber, Luca Bravi presents his “Tra inclusione ed esculsione”, on the Rom and Sinti in Italy.
Raúl Zecca Castel tells the story of a 4-year experiment in libertarian community living called Colonia Cecilia, in Brazil between 1890 and 1894.
The issue from 37 anni fa this month in turn commemorates events from 30 years earlier, the end of the Fascist regime and the beginning of the Resistance.
In the Letters section, contributions from the Troglodita Tribe S.p.A.f., from Gaia Raimondi and from Francesca Palazzi Arduini.

by Leslie Ray