Book presentation Kafka and anarchism

Kelderpublisher and Boekhandel Het Fort van Sjakoo invite you to the presentation of the book ‘Kafka and anarchism’ by Costas Despiniadis.

Friday 16 June 5 pm in Fort van Sjakoo, Jodenbreestraat 24, 1011nk Amsterdam

Franz Kafka (1883-1924) is one of the most important writers of the twentieth century. His work is still not only widely read, but also widely quoted and commented on. It is striking that there are hardly any studies on his anti-authoritarian political views. Kafka and Anarchism offers a new perspective on his well-known works (In the Penal Colony, The Transfiguration, The Castle and America). Kafka is portrayed as a fierce critic of authority, bureaucracy, capitalism, patriarchy, law and prisons. Despiniadis makes use of Kafka’s diaries, the memories of his friends and the contents of his literary legacy.

Despiniadis describes Kafka’s active participation in anarchist circles in Prague, his interest in anarchist writers and his doubts about the Russian Revolution. Kafka thus appears as a fierce critic of the power relations in the society of his time, which have only become more poignant since his death. “The shackles of tortured humanity are made of official forms.” is one of his statements that is more relevant today than ever. Costas Despiniadis is a Greek writer, publicist, publisher, translator and founder of the magazine Panopticon. His work has been translated into French, German, Spanish and English.

With beautiful drawings by Jan Vlasveld.