Bassiani

Coordinates: 41°43′22.83″N 44°47′23.14″E / 41.7230083°N 44.7897611°E / 41.7230083; 44.7897611
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Bassiani
Dinamo Arena (2016)
Bassiani is located in Tbilisi
Bassiani
Bassiani
Location within Tbilisi
LocationTbilisi, Georgia
Coordinates41°43′22.83″N 44°47′23.14″E / 41.7230083°N 44.7897611°E / 41.7230083; 44.7897611
TypeTechno club

Bassiani (Georgian: ბასიანი) is a nightclub in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Founded in 2014, it is located in the building of the city's largest sports venue, the Dinamo Arena, and utilizes a disused swimming pool as the main dancefloor.[1] It is the largest techno club in Georgia and can accommodate around 1,200 people.[2] The club features both local and international performers and has attracted international media attention as one of Tbilisi's modern attractions.[1][3]

The club is notorious for its denial of entrance to any Russian citizen.[4][5]

History[edit]

On 12 May 2018 the club was raided by police and the two owners were arrested, which caused protests.[6]

Bassiani is an internationally known techno club that attracts visitors from all over the world to Tbilisi. Photography is banned inside the club and face control is strict.[7]

Besides the main stage, Bassiani has another smaller room called "Horoom", which hosts a series of LGBTQ parties called "Horoom Nights".

Criticism[edit]

The club became famous for its nationalist discriminatory visiting policy towards Russian citizens.[8][9][10]

Name[edit]

The literal meaning of the word Bassiani (ბასს-იანი, Bass-iani) in Georgian is "one with the bass." The club is named after the 13th century battle of Basian, between the Kingdom of Georgia and the Sultanate of Rum.

Resident DJs[edit]

As of 2023, the club has 14 resident DJs: Dito, DVS1, Function, Hamatsuki, Hector Oaks, HVL, Kancheli, Kvanchi, NDRX, Nebbieri, Ninasupsa, Newa, Zitto, Sophie Phare, and ZESKNEL.[11]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b House, Arthur (21 September 2016). "Clubbers, forget London and Berlin – the place to dance is eastern Europe". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  2. ^ Lynch, Will (15 August 2016). "Tbilisi and the politics of raving". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  3. ^ Satenstein, Liana (23 January 2017). "The Architecture in Tbilisi, Georgia, Is Worth the Trip Alone". Vogue. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  4. ^ "In Tbilisi, Georgia, even Russian activists get a less friendly welcome". Washington Post. 2022-04-03. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  5. ^ Bader, Haley. "Vetting Russians in Georgia". Russian Life. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
  6. ^ "Police raid Georgian nightclubs Bassiani and Café Gallery, arrest Bassiani owners". Resident Advisor. 12 May 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  7. ^ Carmen Gray At This Techno Club, the Party Is Political The New York Times, 29 May 2019
  8. ^ "Tbilisi club target of cyber attack after launching "Russian visa"". Mixmag. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
  9. ^ Tenisheva, Anastasia (2022-09-18). "'We Don't Want To Serve Occupiers': Backlash in Georgia Against Russian Emigres". The Moscow Times. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
  10. ^ Allen, Caitlin (2023-02-07). "Fleeing Russians face a frosty reception in Georgia". Reaction. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
  11. ^ "Artists". Bassiani. Retrieved 2023-01-15.