BIGZ building – Cultural mish-mash

Built in 1930s by noted architect Dragisa Brasovan, it was used for decades by BIGZ, one of the biggest publishing houses in ex Yugoslavia. Today, its insides sometimes seem as a perfect set for a horror or thriller.

In the recent years, BIGZ building’s premises are being rented (thus it’s not a squat, as some put it) to many artists of different kinds, turning its huge, ruined space into a kind of an artistic mecca.

It’s the other home of many noted or not-that-noted local bands – in its semi-dark hallways you might bump into some of Balkans’ rockstars, best known DJs, heavy metal kids, underground hip hop artists or an anarcho punk band. There are shows and open band rehearsals or ‘art troups’ performances on a daily basis, you just have to come and explore.

Recently, many clubs opened inside. Club “Fat cat” (on seventh floor) and a techno club on the second floor and the roof. After being closed for some time, jazz club “Cekaonica” (Waiting room), “BIGZ Scena” and “U zmajevom gnezdu” (In Dragon’s Den) are working.

The greatest thing about BIGZ is that you never really know what you’re gonna see inside – shooting of a Luc Besson film or some music video, circus troop who creates their DIY costumes in the hallway or members of cool Roma hip hop boy band. The best thing is to drop by and explore or check what’s up in the BIGZ Kulturni Centar FB group.