April 25th is George Orwell Day

This week is celebrates George Orwell Day and in these times of Digital insecurity and Edward Snowdonion revelations about government espionage the words of this great writer echo with a greater ferocity each year. 

It is difficult to conclude that we have learnt something, if anything from the prophecies of 1984. Yet there are those that have asked "Does Orwell Still Matter" and continue asking whilst we collectively sink further into a world of digital gratification and material distraction. 

Remembered for his political assault on the complacency of the left and the dangers of authoritarianism, he is less remembered for his critical support for the anarchist movement in the civil war, his fighting for the POUM and the workers union, the CNT. It is in these fields that, for me at least, Orwell still matters. And, lest we forget, what happened in Barcelona in 1936  was the only successful anarchist revolution in history of the world. 

So yes, Orwell still matters. So much so that if you haven't read it yet, Homage to Cataluña (get a free copy below) is a great eye-opener to a very Hispanic revolution. (More on anarchism in Spain coming soon).

You can read the orginal post on Orwell and Spain, you can listen to the podcast on George Orwell or download a free copy of Homage to Cataluña  - all from here. 

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