თბილისის კლუბური კულტურა და ახალგაზრდების სუბკულტურული კაპიტალი

Over the past few years, there has been a considerable growth in the popularity of club culture in
Tbilisi. From 2014 till today, in the city, there have opened several clubs, among which there are
the best-known clubs such as “BASSIANI”, “MTKVARZE” and “KHIDI”. Tbilisi club culture is
the most popular among youth. On Facebook thousands of young people express their desire to
attend raves organized by the clubs, and on average, approximately 500-1000 people show up on
the events. Consequently, this research (Tbilisi club culture and young people’s subcultural
capital) focuses on studying the subcultural capital of Tbilisi youth. The research goal was
achieved by determining social, cultural and symbolic capital of young people who consider
themselves as a part of club culture in Tbilisi. Furthermore, by investigating what influence and
significance does each type of capital have on young people in the process of accumulating
subcultural capital. Research has discovered that young members of Tbilisi club culture gain
subcultural capital, which is expressed in their special status inside and outside of the club
culture. Youth subcultural capital gives them an opportunity to resist social class, to become
independent, escape from reality and to separate themselves from mainstream - people, who are
not part of the club culture. In addition, research also determined that social, cultural and
symbolic capital gained through the membership of the club culture, has a direct impact on
young people’s subcultural capital. Specifically, with the help of wide social capital, young people
are becoming more and more known inside the club culture, and they gain the ability for social
mobility and new social connections. The cultural capital of the young members of club culture is
connected with the development of personal characteristic, as well as skills and knowledge,
which are distinctive only for club culture. Regarding symbolic capital, it is mainly connected
with gaining independence, feeling the freedom and reducing control of parents and relatives on
youth. To conclude, with the help of subcultural capital, the publicity, prestige, and status of the
members of club culture are increased inside and outside of the clubbing space.