Several of Tbilisi’s nightclubs are set to reopen tonight for New Year’s Eve, having been closed for 40 days in solidarity with ongoing protests against the country’s government.
Techno havens including BASSIANI, Left Bank and Khidi will host their first parties since the shutdown, which began in the wake of right-wing ruling party Georgian Dream’s parliamentary election win in October, and its announcement that it would delay Georgia’s EU accession process on November 28. The election has since faced allegations of fraud, with the country’s prosecutors investigating, according to Al Jazeera.
As protests broke out across the country, several of the city’s clubs then urged their communities to take to the streets rather than their dancefloors, shuttering the venues, as well as launching fundraisers.
Announcing the reopening in a statement on Instagram, BASSIANI wrote: “2024 unfolded as a year of profound political upheaval and defiance. For over a month, BASSIANI has been at the forefront of resistance against a repressive and violent system, asserting itself as part of the counter-hegemony movement. This struggle echoes a dedication to forging a new social order grounded in freedom, equality and solidarity.
“We lament and express deep gratitude to those who have understood the extraordinary crisis gripping the country – a context that necessitated the difficult yet essential decision to close the club over the past month,” it continued.
“We are eternally grateful to the artists, agencies, collectives, festivals, clubs and dancers – both familiar and unknown – for invaluable support and contribution of resources from every corner of the world. Your names are countless, and your commitment is unforgettable.”
Left Bank wrote: ”Upcoming NYE is bound to be anything but an ordinary celebration. Amid ongoing challenges, we all gather at the Parliament building to welcome the New Year, with our doors opening later than usual.”
Many of Tbilisi’s underground clubs have become safe havens for marginalised communities, including the city’s LGBTQ+ community, while gaining a reputation for being some of the world’s best nightlife venues. They have faced trouble with the authorities before, with armed police raiding BASSIANI and Cafe Gallery in 2018, which saw widespread protests break out in the city.
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