S2. Bathhouses

TWT FM

Spas, saunas and bathhouses may not seem to be the most obvious leisure spaces for the left to be fighting for. For many, they bear association with luxury and decadence. But this impression misses a rich and complex history of bathhouse culture, one is imbued with a democratic and communal spirit. In this episode of TWT FM, we’ll explore spas as a place of relaxation and recovery from work, a space that challenges rigid masculinity and celebrates queer culture.

This episode of TWT FM was produced by Sarah Vowden, Charlie Clarke, Matt Huxley and Aron Keller with contributions from Julian Siravo from Autonomy, Sarah Anand, Alessandro Brava and Wayne Gruba from New Docklands Russian Banya and Steam bath, with audio from the film ‘The Baths’ by Anouska Samms and Sofia Pancucci-McQueen. You can view ‘The Baths’ here - https://vimeo.com/547387966