It’s another key moment for the democratic movement championed by Tbilisi’s club scene. Georgia has a pivotal parliamentary election tomorrow – one seen as deeply connected to the country’s future and the ongoing war in Ukraine. That prompted the club Bassiani to put on the breaks for tonight. Here’s what music voices are saying about what’s next.
In more optimistic days, Tbilisi – like Kyiv – was a darling of the global club scene not only for the city’s parties but also its politics, culminating in international attention for 2018 protests. A worldwide techno scene proclaimed optimistically that “we dance together.” The international scene has had less to say in the post-COVID era amidst growing commercial pressures and worldwide political crises. See, for instance, Dazed:
That was then. 2024 has been a rough year even by the already brutal standards of this decade so far.
First, there was the passage earlier this year of Russian-style legislation requiring NGOs and media to declare themselves as supposed “foreign agents.” (I had ongoing collaborations in the Russian Federation when their equivalent legislation passed – and I recall this as one of the turning points in the country’s move into ever-darker directions prior to its 2022 full-scale attack on Ukraine.)
Music institutions had spoken out against this legislation – including folks I’ve worked with and covered here on CDM, including synth maker Ambient.ge and online platform Mutant Radio. They wrote articulately why this was so important:
Art has consistently functioned as a powerful tool in the struggle for freedom. We, the torchbearers of these musical realms, firmly believe that politics and music are inextricably interrelated. Our endeavours are rooted in core values such as freedom, equality, solidarity, diversity, and inclusiveness. These are the principles we uphold to foster a harmonious environment within our country. We hold that the rofessional and amicable relationships forged in any domain contribute significantly to the realisation of Georgia’s historically vital and constitutionally enshrined goal: reunification with the European family.
This aspirational future is currently under threat. The imposition of Russian style “Foreign Agents” law jeopardises the freedom of our creative and cultural ecosystem and undermines the progress we have achieved against historical challenges. Such legislation aims to quash dissent and isolate Georgia internationally.
In the face of repression, violence. threats. and injustices against rally participants. we stand united. We firmly reject the Russian regime and any measures that would alter our country’s European path, dragging us back into the Russian sphere of influence. Victory is inevitable, for this is a matter of our existence. Unity invariably fosters change-in solidarity and dignity, we will prevail.
And there was the killing of Kesaria Abramidze, a trans woman, just a day after the passage of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
Fight Homophobia, Fight Transphobia! The recent actions of our government have legitimized oppression and discrimination on a constitutional level—a deeply alarming development in a country where queer people have already endured years of inequality. The consequences of this legitimiza- tion have already led to the death of a trans woman yesterday, and this is not the first time trans people have suffered or lost their lives due to violence. These laws, rooted in hate, do not solely target the LGBTQ+ community— they threaten society as a whole. Homophobia and discrimination not only impede our collective progress but also pull our country dangerously closer to authoritarian influences, such as Russia. Human rights are not privileges —they are universal freedoms that no government should take away. These laws jeopardize the very freedom that Georgia has fought for, a freedom that belongs to all of us. Betraying the principles of democracy will only lead to isolation and a dangerous alignment with dictatorial regimes. Mutant Radio has always stood, and will continue to stand, in defence of the dignity and rights of sexual and gender minorities. This disgraceful act cannot be tolerated or ac- cepted by our society! Fight back against hate, protect LGBTQ+ rights.
Despite these defeats, Georgian democracy activists keep up the struggle. Saturday, October 26, brings parliamentary elections, and like the narrowly won pro-Europe Moldovan victory last weekend, are seen as a key moment in history.
There’s not a lot to do at this point other than to vote and wait. But with that in mind, Bassiani has canceled its club night tonight to focus energy on the election. Putting the music on pause for critical freedoms seems to be something this scene does too rarely. Here’s their statement:
ON OCTOBER 26, GEORGIA WILL HOLD ONE OF THE MOST CRUCIAL PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN ITS INDEPENDENT HISTORY.
At this critical moment, a society facing an existential crisis must raise its voice and take unwavering action to fundamentally change the regressive, destructive social, economic, and cultural policies that have driven people into poverty, forced migration, and widespread despair.
Immediate action is necessary to halt the shift in the geopolitical vector of Georgia, the growing influence of large-scale Russian propaganda, and the erosion of democracy, which jeopardizes our sovereignty and collective achievements-such as EU visa liberalization and progress toward European integration-while risking a descent into international isolation.
It is crucial to confront Russia’s imperial ambitions, its attempts at annexation and dominance, and its ongoing occupation, and work hard to restore the severed bonds of friendship and deepen our support for Ukraine.
Action is vital against the ascendant far-right populism, the pervasive fascist rhetoric, the designation and enactment of “foreign agents” and the anti-LGBTQ+ laws, the normalization of hate speech that targets marginalized communities, the epidemic of femicide, gender-based violence, dehumanization, and political homophobia.
The brutal murder of transgender woman Kesaria Abramidze underscores the urgency of this struggle.
Constantly resist totalitarian policies that suppress peaceful protest and critical dissent, the violent dispersal of demonstrations, and the punitive measures against those who dare to speak out-the arrests, blackmail, and surveillance-tactics designed to instill fear and maintain authoritarian control. Rise the voice against the deliberate destruction of cultural institutions and speak up for the creative freedom of artists and collectives, which are now under siege by censorship and repressive practices.
For radical social transformation, universal healthcare, equitable education systems, safe and dignified labour rights, and working conditions – Stand in solidarity with those who justly strike, challenging the silence and apathy of those in power towards individuals struggling against oppressive labour practices and conditions and citizens left homeless and neglected in the streets. Foster an inclusiveness built on consensus and collective welfare.
Power to the people and solidarity to all victims and hostages of the system, to every resilient, rebellious voice that rises against injustice —
ON OCTOBER 25, A CLUB NIGHT AT BASSIANI WILL NOT TAKE PLACE TO MOBILIZE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIONS.
For a quick overview of what this election is about:
And I strongly recommend following Anna Gvarishvili, journalist and editor focused on democracy in Georgia. [profile in Georgian]. From this week for Voxeurop:
In particular, what you’ll find is a lot of reports of intimidation of researchers by the financial police. For instance:
🚨 Just this morning:
1. The financial police searched the homes of all the Georgian employees of the @AtlanticCouncil, including @SGelava and @EtoBuziashvili, senior researchers of @DFRLab. 2. There’s a special operation underway at a business center in the heart of Tbilisi,…
I’ll be watching this tomorrow along with all the rest of the news closely.
And as for putting all energy into democracy when the future is on the line? Germany and the United States could learn a thing or two here. I even heard there’s some other kind of election coming up…
Thanks to everyone in Georgia. You’ve been great friends and musical inspiration; spending even a short time there meant a lot. We’d be in the wrong if we didn’t return that love with support for you now.
— European Neighbourhood Council (ENC) (@ENC_Europe) October 27, 2024
BREAKING: President @Zourabichvili_S announces that she does not recognize the elections results and call the people to join her. Zurabishvili asks people to join the protest at Rustaveli tomorrow at 7PM.