Elisso Bolkvadze to Enhance Cultural Exchanges of Georgia and Build a Closer Cultural Alliance

Elisso Bolkvadze, is a world known Georgian classical pianist and a UNESCO artist for peace based in France. Elisso Bolkvadze is also the Founder and Artistic Director of the Batumi - Black Sea Music and Art Festival in Georgia.

In this interview with Diplomat Magazine, Bolkvadze expressed positive hopes for the Georgian tourism industry if a few pointers she highlighted were improved upon. She also spoke about the growing strengths of the Batumi – Black Sea Music and Art Festival in Georgia, and how it has come to be a significant tourist festival whose values resonate with UNESCO. Bolkvadze is positive that while the festival is coming together of Georgian musical exports, it can become one of Georgia’s laudable export in no distant future.

What distinguishes Georgia as a tourist destination from other countries and why should a tourist visit Georgia?

Georgia is a country that, in my opinion, is not yet well known in the world. Many tourists still do not have enough information that Georgia is a country of ancient culture, where centuries-old cultural sites or natural environments are cited in many interesting places. That’s why I think Georgia will truly become a land of new discoveries for tourists who decide to visit it.

Which are the tourist destinations or places in Georgia that you often visit, and which of them do you recommend to foreign tourists?

Every part of Georgia has its distinctive features and distinctive value, and since they are all dear to me, it’s a little hard to distinguish. However, I think it will be interesting for tourists to see Tbilisi first, which quite frankly is a distinctive, interesting, and effective city in the Caucasus, which is filled with both cultural sites and historical sites developed with beautiful architecture. Also, I would definitely recommend tourists to visit the Adjara region, which I often visit. Its subtropical nature is so harmonious that I think it will bring a new awareness to the viewer. What I really wanted to see is Khulo, because it features a legend that the people live longer. By the way, I remember we had dancers at the Batumi Classical Music Festival who were over a hundred years old, so I think the myth of this place is true. By the way, some very educated foreign friends asked to know about the part of Georgia where people live for a long time. Naturally, I believe people will constantly strive to live longer, isn’t that true? - Therefore, I think it will be interesting for tourists to visit this place, especially the Beshum area where the nature of mountain and the sea combine to create a unique climate in the region.

What foreign experiences would you support to be adapted in the tourism industry of Georgia?

It would be great to develop more road infrastructure and simplify travel in the highlands. There is a need for more trains and airports, as well as more ropeway and other infrastructure to attract tourists. Even between Tbilisi and Batumi, the trains are quite busy, with one or two trains. The infrastructure needs to be developed, for example there is no train to Telavi. Movement between mountains and different regions, and throughout Georgia should be greatly enhanced.

Batumi Black Sea Music and Art Festival that you have established for several years has become a business card and an important event both for locals and foreigners, what will be the theme of the festival season this year?

This year’s festival will focus on the topic of emigration, and Georgian artists who were born and raised in France due to the forced emigration about 100 years ago. The fact that our president, Mrs. Salome Zurabishvili, is a Georgian raised in French emigration, becomes even more symbolic in this spirit and part of our country’s important history. This year, the festival will host an exhibition of Georgian artist, Henri Matchavariani, who lives in France. After the exhibition, there will be a meeting with Guram Odisharia, an active voice in the spread of Abkhazian issues. As for the music part, this year, the festival will cover regions and it will take place in Zugdidi, and the Dadiani Palace, where my concert will be held for the first time. In addition, the festival will be attended by Alexander Gajiev, the winner of the Monaco International Music Competition Grand Prix, a talented musician from Azerbaijan who is currently working in Italy. We will also have a distinguished Italian guitarist and flute player to share his talent with us. So, the festival this year will not only cover the piano but more diverse programs. As always, with the exception of the music program, the festival will also have a part that is focused on social responsibility this year. This will involve presenting talented young Georgian musicians and giving them master classes. Maestro Michel Sogny will traditionally hold master classes for young performers this year with his innovative method. In addition, within the framework of the festival, and with the support of the Ministry of Education, an art camp will be organized to host children from different regions of Georgia and will include a series of trainings on music, art, history and monument protection.

Batumi Black Sea Music and Art Festival is the only Georgian festival held under the high patronage of UNESCO. What is the significance of it for the festival?

The existence of the festival under the high patronage of UNESCO indicates that the festival is one of the most important musical events, measured not only by high-level musicians that participate, but by those values that are shared by UNESCO. This naturally increases the public’s interest in the festival. The festival, along with local listeners, attracts more and more tourists each year.

What are the future plans for the festival?

In addition to officially changing the name of the festival this year and positioning it as the International Black Sea Arts Festival, we have another news that would further expand the format of the festival. We intend to work more closely with the countries of the Black Sea Basin to enhance cultural exchanges and build a closer cultural alliance.