Babels

Babels originated in the process of preparation for the 2002 ESF, a left-wing conference of the anti-globalization movement held in Florence.

A small network of 'communication activists' associated with ATTAC France proposed that the conference use only volunteers to interpret the various languages of the speakers for the audience.

There was some debate about the quality of volunteer translators but the cost of professionals helped sway the argument.

The group had no official space to work from and little funds so had to squat a medieval tower.

For the second ESF in Paris organisers gave Babels £200,000 funding, offices facilities and a longer preparation period.