The publishing cooperative Radical Theory & Practice from Moscow has initiated a new project: translating Emma Goldman’s autobiography “Living My Life” into Russian and printing it for distribution. This will be the first ever, integral translation of the work into Russian. This work consists of 56 chapters in which Goldman describes her political and personal life: her childhood, her time in Russia and reflections on the Russian Revolution, going on till 1927. The book was first published in English in two parts in 1931 and 1934, and has been reissued several times since, and translated into many other languages, but never into Russian.

This text is relevant not only as part of the body of anarchist and feminist works on theory & practice, but also for historians, social scientists and feminists outside of the anarchist scene in all of the post-soviet countries. Such a translation will find an audience in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia and further on amongst Russian speaking readers.

Why do we want to translate Emma Goldman’s Living My Life?

Emma Goldman, Bakunin, Kropotkin, Berkman, Makhno all had their origins in the Russian Empire. They are part of a common anarchist history, local and international. Goldman’s autobiography provides an accessible, first-hand account of anarchist history and is an important primary resource that Russian speaking readers haven’t had a chance to make use of till now.

But more than just a resource we see it as a way to give power and focus to the anarcha-feminist and radical feminist struggles in the exUSSR. As the local situation worsens for anyone opposing norms and tradition, with heavy conflicts arising even within the anarchist movement, it is important to show that feminism, anti-sexism, personal bodily autonomy have always been part of our common fight against oppression.

Financial support – For WHAT?

Radical Theory & Practice is one of few alternative publishing projects in Russia. It exists since 2008 as a group of people who publish a few books yearly at varying intervals (a full list of our publications is attached below). Some of these books have been the result of collaborative translation. As of last year this structure was reorganized and a cooperative was born with a stronger commitment to knowledge distribution. Thus far we have self-financed all of our publications, but within this new structure we will pay cooperative members for their share of the work. However, we are facing some big financial hurdles, and currently have 2000 euros in the minus column. We do not want to stop working on the project due to profit margins or lack thereof, but as most of us are fully employed within the cooperative we need to ensure our daily costs are covered.

Another challenge we face is dealing with the legal system. In Russia there’s a package of laws against extremism, including the banning of extremist texts. Unsurprisingly, some anarchist magazines and books have already been found extremist and were banned from shops and distribution networks (such as several issues of the Avtonom Journal*). Currently some of the books we have published are being reviewed by experts on extremism. So far no results.

Any financial support would relieve us from having to constantly put in our own money to support the costs of putting out books and give us more time to focus on the said books.

In terms of the Emma Goldman – Living My Life book project costs we are estimating a total of 14 000 euros, including printing. Of course, we hope this money will pay off one day, but in our context it can take up to several years. We have already published the first volume, the second one will be ready in a month.

The project will go ahead even if our fund-raising does not manage to cover all costs, however all donations will be greatly appreciated.

We are going to publish newly translated chapters on this site.

If you would like to make a donation or support our cooperative in any way here are some suggestions:

— make a direct transfer into our account (see below)
— organize a fund-raiser or benefit party to support our project
— talk to your local anarchist/feminist groups asking for smaller donations
— tell us about any foundation you know that supports publications
— SPREAD THIS CALL—OUT

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: We welcome absolutely all help (advice, information, suggestions, etc.). Feel free to contact us by writing in English, German, Polish or Russian.

BANK ACCOUNT: ask
PAYPAL: rtp@riseup.net

CONTACT US HERE:
rtp@riseup.net
facebook.com/rtpbooks
vk.com/rtpbooks

Our interview about the project to A-Radio Berlin: http://fda-ifa.org/a-radio-in-english-rtp-cooperative-on-emma-goldman-project/

OUR PREVIOUS BOOK PROJECTS:
Peter Gelderloos “Consensus: A New Handbook for Grassroots Social, Political, and Environmental Groups.”
Peter Gelderloos “Anarchy Works”
Peter Gelderloos “How Non-violence Protects the State”
CrimethInc. “Work”
Piotr Ryabov “Anarchist Letters”
Daniel Guérin “Anarchism: From Theory to Practice”
Ihar Alinevich “On the Way to Magadan”
Alexandr Volodarski “Chemistry”
Seeds for Change “Consensus Handbook”
Some of our publications are available here issuu.com/rtpbooks

*More information and a call for solidarity with the Avtonom magazine 325.nostate.net/?p=9300