Tbilisi, Georgia, is the techno-capital of Eastern Europe: subculturally reminiscent of the enthusiastic Berlin of the 90s, its Bassiani club has become a symbol of freedom and resistance in the post-Soviet region – especially after the rave cave under the football stadium was raided by machine-gun-wielding police seven years ago. The local young people reacted in the best possible way: the next day they organised an illegal technobully in front of their parliament. On Saturday 19 April, two of the place’s leading DJs will be in Turbina, and we asked HVL, or Gigi Jikia, how techno, community and politics come together.

– What is the situation in Tbilisi now? Anti-government protests have been going on for almost six months. How are people coping and how is the local underground scene getting involved?

HVL: – The situation is serious, the protests are still going on. And the local music scene is taking part in them like everyone else. In December, when the situation was at its worst, clubs had to close for about a month. Now they are open again, and they have to function in some way to survive.

– In 2018, there was an original response to the police raid and show of force against Bassiani: the Georgian raiders held a huge party in front of Parliament the next day. Where does this incredible passion come from, especially in a country that is seen from the outside as mostly conservative?

HVL: – To be honest, I can’t really say anymore what exactly triggers the big demonstrations, because our governments have already done a lot of things that should have had a huge reaction from the people. Sometimes there is outrage, other times hardly anything happens.

– Despite all the obstacles, Tbilisi has become the party epicentre of the region in recent years, with raw, bold and unfiltered techno at its core. What has it taken to get this way?

HVL: – I think it’s the result of a combination of factors: good sound systems in the clubs, enthusiastic clubbers and promoters, and the general hospitality of the country. And maybe it also mattered that it happened at a time when the world was looking for new places to explore in electronic music, not the established capitals.

– A few years ago, even a rainbow flag could have caused tension on the streets of Georgia, yet Bassiani has stood proudly by the queer community from the start. Do you think the club – and the scene around it – has made a real difference in terms of acceptance?

HVL: – I would like to think that the clubs have really brought a change in perception. And not only on this issue, but on many others. But we need more time to see the big picture clearly, because the scene is relatively young in this country.

– Hungary, like Georgia, was freed from Soviet rule only a few decades ago. What advice would you give to the builders of the Hungarian electronic underground, which is also developing nicely?

HVL: – If you look at our governments (in Georgia and Hungary), it is hard to say that we have really got rid of the Soviet past. I would suggest that people in both countries who disagree with their leaders should continue doing what they love and what they are good at, and do it for as long as they can. And in the electronic music scene, let’s be open to as many genres and tastes as possible, and give more support to smaller venues, communities and artists.

– What can we expect from you at the Turbina DJ booth?

HVL: – As always, I’ll probably be playing my favourite timeless tracks along with some fresh music I’ve found recently. Let’s just say it will be a colourful techno mix flowing with different nuances.

Beyond the Bassiani showcase on 19 April, the Easter weekend at Turbina will also turn into a danceable one: on Friday night 18 there will be a two-room moonturbina with Terra Kontra and HEAT 95, and on the afternoon of 19 the popular daytime rave Napturbina will return, running from 2pm to 10pm with acidherceg Galactic Jackson, Jaffa Surfa and Maron’s house records, and the duo Kirill & Kernel. Tickets and details!