UNESCO renews pianist Elisso Bolkvadze's Artist for Peace mandate

Georgian pianist Elisso Bolkvadze will continue serving as the UNESCO Artist for Peace after the international organisation renewed her mandate under the status last weekend.

Recognised with the title for her promotion of culture and contributions to UNESCO's programmes, Bolkvadze "will help raise awareness of the Organisation's actions and programmes on education", Audrey Azoulay, Executive Director of UNESCO, said.

Azoulay also said the renewed status for the pianist would "contribute to UNESCO efforts to support the promotion of creativity and musical education among young people" in particular.

On her part, Bolkvadze told her social media followers she was "glad to be able to implement many international cultural projects for the benefit of my country, through this high status".

The musical artist was initially bestowed the UNESCO mandate in 2015 at the organisation's headquarters in Paris. UNESCO's then-General Director Irina Bokova said Bolkvadze was becoming Artist for Peace in recognition of "not only her professionalism but her high activities to promote charity across the globe."

Over the recent years, the Georgian pianist became the recipient of other awards and titles in honour of her work, including the Order of Arts and Literature – a top French state prize – in 2015 and the Order of Honour of Georgia in 2018.

Beside her own performances, the pianist founded the LYRA Foundation in 2013 to help young Georgian pianists with their studies and international appearances. Through the foundation, Bolkvadze also runs the annual international festival Batumi Music Fest in Georgia's Black Sea city.