Techno: A Social History

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Techno: A Social History: The World

The World

BBC Radio 4 - Techno: A Social History, The World

What makes techno the perfect accompaniment to radical ideas?

For 40 years techno has been the beating heart of social movements all over the world. What makes it the perfect music to accompany radical ideas? DJ Ash Lauryn investigates.

In the final part of this social history, DJ Ash Lauryn explores the disparate contexts where the radical potential of Techno lives on, right now. 

The Ukrainian DJ Nastia speaks of the resilience of Kyiv’s cherished club scene – which was born out of the turmoil of the 2013 revolution but for now lies dormant. In the capital of Georgia, Giorgi Kikonishvili speaks of Bassiani, the club that became a headquarters for progressive politics and community organising – until armed police raids threatened the scene’s existence. 

Meanwhile in Beirut, long held to be the Middle East’s capital for electronic music, Tala Mortada and other promoters attempt to rebuild after the 2020 explosion destroyed its storied nightclubs. And in Ramallah, fans of Techno go to extreme lengths to commune with like-minded people at parties, and the godmother of Palestinian techno, Sama' Abdulhadi, is jailed for hosting a showcase of local artists at a site of worship.
 
Produced by Frank Palmer
Sound design by Granny Eats Wolf

A Cup & Nuzzle production for BBC Radio 4

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For 40 years, techno has been the beating heart of social movements all over the world. What makes techno the perfect accompaniment to radical ideas? 

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