The 20th century Italian revolutionary Marxist Antonio Gramsci defined a moment of profound crisis as one in which “the old is dying” but “the new cannot be born”. In such situations, he said, “monsters”, or “a great variety of morbid symptoms appear”.
This is the main theme of RedFest
2026. Scotland’s largest annual
left-wing event, RedFest is a forum
for socialists to debate collective
responses to the crises affecting
people and planet, featuring book
launches, workshops and culture.
Gramsci was writing in the 1930s at
the time of the greatest crisis of the
capitalist system ever. This was an
epoch of social polarisation: of the
rise of fascism - but also of mass
resistance and working class
revolution.
The defeat of the left paved the way
for the horrors of the Second World
War and the Holocaust.
Today, a new epoch of crisis has
fuelled the collapse of the political
centre and polarisation right and left.
Why is the old dying, and what was
‘the old’ anyway?
How can ‘the new’ be born?
How do we fight today’s ‘monsters
and all the ‘morbid symptoms’ of a
system in deep crisis?
Queen Margaret Union
22 University Gardens
Glasgow G12 8QN
Subway - The nearest subway station to the venue is Hillhead. If you are arriving into Buchanan Bus Station, Glasgow Queen Street Station or Glasgow Central Station, the nearest subway station is Buchanan Street. From Buchanan Street, take the Inner Circle to Hillhead.
Please note that the last train on Sunday is at approximately 6pm.
Tickets purchased without a Smart and are 1.75 for a single journey or 3.30 for a return.
Bus - The First Bus route 4 will take you from Hope Street (Glasgow Central Station) to University Avenue. Contactless payment is accepted on First buses.
A single journey is £1.80 - tap your card on the card reader as you exit.
Red Fest is hosted by the Socialist Workers Party. If you need advice on transport to Glasgow or accommodation during the event, you can email [email protected] to be put in touch with your nearest branch in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fife, Dundee or Aberdeen who can provide this. Also check out our cheap accommodation guide.
We run a free creche with qualified carers during sessions both days. Advance registration is essential. To book a place, email [email protected] Deadline for registration: Sunday 18 October