Tekno parada u Parizu: Je li ples postao politički važniji nego ikad?

The Techno Parade returns to Paris this Saturday, September 19, as thousands gather for a celebration of electronic music intertwined with political activism. After two years of absence, the event aims to bring together large crowds in the streets of Paris under the banner of both joy and protest. Organizers highlight the growing intersection between dance and political expression, particularly in response to recent legislation and crackdowns on unauthorized gatherings. The parade comes amid heightened tensions over the new law known as RIPOST, which imposes stricter regulations and penalties on unregistered musical festivals and gatherings. This law has intensified scrutiny of free parties and independent venues, prompting organizers to frame their event as both a cultural celebration and a form of resistance. According to Tommy Vaudecrane, president of Technopol, the organizing association, the parade will feature hundreds of thousands of people dancing freely while also carrying political messages. A banner opposing the RIPOST law will be displayed on one of the parade’s floats. Technopol has long positioned the event as a platform to defend free parties, independent stages, and the right to communal expression through music. For many attendees, the experience of attending a free party now resembles participating in a demonstration, according to Kamille from the Tekno Anti Rep collective. Recent incidents, such as a violent police intervention during a festival in Normandy earlier this month, have reignited concerns about repression reminiscent of the 1990s when electronic music scenes faced similar stigma. Detroit, the birthplace of techno, is this year's official partner of the Techno Parade. The city is being celebrated for its cultural and political legacy, drawing parallels between the origins of techno and contemporary struggles for freedom of expression. DJ Holographic, a Detroit-based artist, emphasizes how the genre emerged from a need for inclusion and space for marginalized communities. She highlights that the essence of techno is inherently political, rooted in the history of Black American music and the fight for bodily autonomy. As the parade approaches, participants anticipate a blend of music, movement, and message, reflecting the evolving landscape of electronic music culture and its role in modern social and political discourse.