Sairme Music Festival to host folk song celebration in western Georgia

A dozen ensembles and artists will host music enthusiasts for a two-week celebration of folk singing within the maiden Sairme Music Festival in western Georgia starting this Saturday.

Located 50km south of Imereti region's capital Kutaisi, Sairme will welcome some of the most celebrated local ensembles, including Rustavi and Basiani, to the event.

Running from July 29 to September 10, the festival will offer free admittance to all visitors in the town known for its mineral water springs.

Basiani ensemble were part of a concert in Beijing marking diplomatic anniversary between Georgia and China this year. Photo: Giorgi Khutsishvili.

The first edition of the event will be opened by a performance of Ensemble Rustavi.

Celebrated local bands Didgori, Ialoni, Shavnabada, Iame, Tbilisi and Kutaisi State Ensemble will follow to take the stage in Sairme.

Hosted by the Folklore State Centre Of Georgia, the folk music fest will also feature individual performers.

Artist Neka Sebiskveradze is part of the line-up for the festival. Photo: radio.ge.

Artists Neka Sebiskveradze, David Nozadze, Roma Rtskhiladze and Paul Rimple will all have the opportunity to showcase their talent before the audience, before the maiden festival concludes with a performance of the Basiani ensemble.

The organisers, speaking to the media on Tuesday, said they planned to make the festival annual.

Their plans for the event also include gaining an international status for the event and featuring a range of foreign artists along with local performers.