Batumi Music Fest charity gala raises funds for Syrian war victims

A five-day international music festival is coming to an end in Georgia’s seaside city Batumi, with funds raised from tonight’s closing concert being donated to help child victims of the ongoing civil war in Syria.

Tonight’s Batumi Music Fest gala concert, held at the city’s Piazza complex, will feature performances from some of Georgia’s leading musicians and all proceeds of the evening will be transferred to a fund for international educational programs established for children who suffered in the long conflict.

The evening will feature performances by famous Georgian pianist Elisso Bolkvadze, who founded the festival in 2012, as well as well-known tenor Zurab Sotkilava, conductor David Kintsurashvili and the Georgian Voices folk band.

Celebrating UNESCO’s 70^th anniversary, Batumi Music Fest opened on September 10, with three venues in the city hosting performances by classical artists.

The festival was organised by the Lira Charity Fund, established by Bolkvadze. During the past five days several internationally recognised artists took part in the event, such as French composer Laurent Petitgirard and Japanese violinist Michi Sugiura. The Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre Orchestra also featured in the festivities.

The Batumi Music Fest joined the prestigious European Festivals Association earlier this year.