Ever wondered where freedom, equality, and anarchy meet on a bookshelf? You’ve found it. This is Jura Books. Since 1977, Jura Books has stood as a Sydney hub for radical thought and community action.
Jura Books wasn’t just randomly named. Its name honors the Jura Federation. The Jura Federation was a group of workers who aligned with Bakunin in the First International. They championed autonomy and worker empowerment.
Originally located on King Street in Newtown, Jura Books later moved to Parramatta Road in Petersham. Today, it still stands here. Jura Books is managed by Anarchist Resources Incorporated. This non-profit collective ensures the bookshop’s survival. The building also houses meeting spaces. It also preserves the Fanya Baron Library. This collection honors Fanya Baron, a Lithuanian-born anarchist.
Australian Ethical Investment even highlights Jura Books. They see it as a prime example of socially responsible investing. Jura Books provides affordable resources. These resources cover trade unionism, women’s rights, and environmental issues. You can also find books on permaculture, indigenous peoples’ concerns, poetry, arts, and non-violent revolution.
But Jura Books is more than just books. It’s home to a massive collection of political posters. Over 4500 Australian and international posters are stored here. This is believed to be one of the largest collections in Australia. In 2003, Jura Books displayed over 100 of these posters. The posters spanned from the 1960s to the late 1980s.
Jura Books actively fosters community engagement. It hosts meetings and talks. The collective has organized several conferences in Sydney. These include Workers Control in 1984, Social Control, and the 1995 Visions of Freedom conference. Noam Chomsky was a guest speaker at the Visions of Freedom conference.
For many years, Jura Books was the publishing home of Rebel Worker. This anarcho-syndicalist paper was produced here from 1982 to 2013. Now, it is published elsewhere.
What does Jura Books believe in? Revolution, for one. Anarchists believe a free society requires a complete transformation. This transformation must be built from the ground up.
Anarchists also value the individual. But they believe individual dignity thrives in a cooperative society. That is why they favor collective action and organization.
Jura Books champions direct action. Direct action means everyday people taking action. It aims to cause immediate problems for those in power. This could include strikes or even sabotage. Anarchists believe in the right to fight back against oppressive systems.
Today, Jura Books welcomes visitors. You can browse books. You can also attend events. You can even get involved. Volunteers are always needed. You can work shifts, attend working bees, or organize events. Even small financial contributions are appreciated. Regular supporters get a discount on books. So, step inside Jura Books. Explore a world of radical ideas. Engage with a community committed to change.