Greek activist Vassilis Manolas has undertaken the translation into Greek of Abdullah Öcalan’s influential work ‘The Sociology of Freedom’. Manolas is powerfully influenced by the International Freedom Battalion, which fought in the Syrian Civil War in support of the Rojava Revolution, a social and political transformation that led to the establishment of an autonomous administration in North and East Syria.
Manolas was born in 1993 and grew up in Cyprus. He recounts his journey from his vibrant childhood neighbourhood in Kato Polemidia, Limassol, to his immersion in anarchist activism in Athens. His upbringing, marked by the aftermath of the 1974 Cyprus war and his leftist father’s experiences during the time of the Greek military junta, laid the foundations for his radical political awakening.
Driven by a desire to join the anarchist movement, Manolas moved to Athens at the age of 19 to study sociology. However, his commitment to social resistance was shaped by his experiences at the heart of anarchist struggles, particularly during the riots and squatting movement in Athens.
The turning point came with his encounter with the Kurdish struggle. Initially attracted by the Kurdish movement’s resistance to Turkish oppression, Manolas delved deeper into the philosophy of Abdullah Öcalan after reading Anja Flach’s book “The Revolution in Rojava”. He soon realised the ideological kinship between Öcalan’s teachings and anarchist principles, which led him to see the Kurdish movement as a natural ally in the struggle against capitalism, patriarchy and the state.
Manolas highlights Öcalan’s ‘Sociology of Freedom’ as a key text that reshaped his understanding of society, history and revolution. He places an emphasis on Öcalan’s dialectical analysis of reality and history, especially that between monopolistic and democratic civilisation, describing it as profoundly enlightening.
“The philosophy of Öcalan, especially as expressed in the sociology of freedom, is a complete modern anarchism, which leaves behind dogmatism and embraces humanity in the totality of its popular history. A communist might say that it is a modern communism or, more correctly, a modern democratic socialism. This is therefore the achievement of Öcalan. The synthesis of revolutionary traditions in a modern context, overcoming their errors and weaknesses,” the activist says.
In addition, Manolas underlines Öcalan’s emphasis on implementing revolutionary change in a way that is consistent with society’s needs and values, a principle that he believes is crucial for sustainable social transformation.
Reflecting on the significance of Öcalan’s ideas in contemporary geopolitics, Manolas sees the potential for democratic confederalism – a model advocated by Öcalan – as a unifying force for diverse communities in the Middle East, including Cyprus. He envisions a future in which democratic confederalism could transcend national boundaries and offer a viable solution to conflicts fuelled by imperialism and militarism.
Despite Öcalan’s seemingly indefinite imprisonment and isolation, Manolas remains optimistic about the global movement for his freedom. He sees Öcalan not only as an individual, but as a symbol of the Kurdish struggle and a beacon of hope for emancipatory movements worldwide.
In conclusion, Manolas urges solidarity with the campaign for Öcalan’s freedom, recognising it as a crucial step towards achieving broader political solutions and promoting a world free from oppression and domination.
