On a Sunday evening in Tompkins Square Park, New York City’s East Village, hundreds gather for 'Luddite Recreations,' a performance celebrating the artisan resistance against industrial machines.
The event is part of the Summer of Ludd, a weeklong series of activities focusing on offline communication and craftsmanship. Zines abound, covering topics from ditching Spotify to combating surveillance in schools.
Lord Byron, the famous British poet who supported the Luddite movement, sets the rules: no phones, recording or photos allowed. The atmosphere is DIY, with a small Pride-themed orchestra providing music and handcrafted zines offering alternatives to digital life.
The festival continues through July 5, offering activities like offline dating, mending skills, and fighting against data centers. A beach day cookout on July 4th and events in nearby East Village locations round out the schedule.
