Publishing as Solidarity: Personal Reflections on The Funambulist’s Political Project

As a way to conclude this 10th anniversary issue, we wanted to hear from one of our two most recurrent contributors (along with Sophia Azeb), Sinthujan Varatharajah, who wrote six texts for us, and participated twice in our podcast. Over the years, numerous friends have had a strong impact in the magazine’s editorial line through contributions, but also recurrent informal conversations and helpful advice. Sinthujan is certainly one of them, in their guidance about the reflections about Tamil Eelam we wanted to showcase in the magazine, but also in many other considerations surrounding solidarity efforts and the refusal of intellectual laziness. They share with us their side of this story between the magazine and them.

I first encountered The Funambulist when the magazine had just published its second issue, in 2015. I was still pursuing my PhD in London, and went on to follow its growth with curiosity through Facebook. The social media platform then served as my primary space for sharing short-form reflections and engaging with politically likeminded individuals across the globe. It was through this platform that I connected with Léopold. After coming across one of my posts, he reached out and asked whether I could expand it for the “News from the Front” section of the magazine’s fifth issue (May-June 2016). That short text marked my first contribution to the magazine; five more substantial pieces would follow in the years ahead. My relationship with The Funambulist, however, extended beyond the act of publishing. It developed into a meaningful engagement with the publication’s ethos and, eventually, a personal friendship with Léopold himself. His warmth, openness, and generosity were instrumental in fostering a sense of collective purpose among contributors. He consistently sought to create connections between us, often facilitating opportunities for contributors to meet, collaborate, and build lasting relationships. Through these encounters with other contributors, I have been fortunate to engage in rich and inspiring conversations with writers, thinkers, and activists, many of whom I now count among my close friends. After each meeting, I would conclude by taking a selfie and sending it to Léopold in Paris, who would always ask for these memories to be shared. Some of these connections even gave rise to collaborative projects that extended well beyond the pages of the magazine. Over time, The Funambulist became more than a publication. It evolved into a vital platform and a dynamic network, one that brought together politically engaged individuals and enabled them to connect, exchange ideas, and support one another across both digital and physical spaces. It has served as a conduit for solidarity, a site of intellectual and political engagement, and a community that continues to shape and sustain my work to this day.