Tbilisi nightclub Bassiani hosts rally in protest of Georgian election results
Georgia’s club community rallied outside parliament earlier this week
Tbilisi-based nightclub Bassiani hosted a rally outside Georgian parliament on Monday, October 28, in protest of recent election results in the country.
It took place amidst mass protests across Georgia following a controversial win for populist political party Georgian Dream, who received a 54% split of the votes despite exit polls across news media suggesting that certain opposition parties would win.
Following the results, Georgia’s pro-Western president Salome Zourabichivili joined calls to annul the decision. New prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze has denied allegations of vote rigging, calling it a “landslide" victory.
Read this next: A new documentary is celebrating the LGBTQI+ activists of world-famous Tbilisi club Bassiani
On Monday, October 28, Bassiani asked fans to come together to join a rally outside parliament, writing: “The time has come, we take the streets, and take back the future that was stolen and forged.”
“The results of the elections held in Georgia, which the fate of our country should be decided between the democratic system and Russian authoritarianism, are falsified,” they claimed in a statement via Instagram.
They continued: “The results of the elections do not reflect the unrelenting will and aspiration of the Georgian people, to get rid of Russian colonialist troubles, and to form a free society based on social welfare, equality and justice, which will determine its own future on its own.”
Read this next: Massive Attack pull out of Georgia gig in solidarity with anti-government protesters
“When people are denied a choice, people raise their voices and make a decision,” they wrote. “Now is the time to make that decision.”
Ahead of the election, Tbilisi clubs including KHIDI, TES, and Left Bank urged the dance music community to cast their votes and utilise a “critical opportunity” to have a say in Georgia’s future.
KHIDI also took part in a campaign entitled ‘NEAP’ (National Elections After Party), allowing free entry to its venue for those who had cast their vote.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter
