“Melodies of Gonio” Gala Concert

A grand Georgian gala concert, Sounds of Gonio, was held at the Gonio-Apsaros Historical Museum-Reserve with the support of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara.

The event marked the launch of a new large-scale international festival dedicated to bringing the history and cultural heritage of one of Georgia’s most significant historical sites to life, promoting Gonio-Apsaros and fostering cultural dialogue.

The festival was officially opened by Elisso Bolkvadze, Minister of Culture of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara. In her address, the Minister expressed her gratitude to the Chairman of the Government of Ajara, Zurab Pataradze, for supporting the idea of establishing the new festival and emphasized its potential to become an important international platform for cultural dialogue and artistic inspiration.

“I believe that the festival will soon establish a distinctive place on the global cultural map and that ‘Sounds of Gonio’ will become an important international platform for cultural dialogue and an oasis of inspiration for artists,” said Elisso Bolkvadze.

Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara Zurab Pataradze also addressed the guests, emphasizing the significance of the initiative in bringing together historical heritage and music. He noted that the festival has the potential to develop an international profile, attract visitors from different countries and contribute to the development of creative industries, cultural tourism and cultural diplomacy.

“Our goal is to give Gonio-Apsaros Fortress a new functional dimension and transform it into another active and contemporary cultural centre of the region,” said Zurab Pataradze.

The gala concert featured the Symphony Orchestra of the Batumi State Music Centre conducted by David Mukeria, the Batumi State Music Centre Capella under choirmaster Rusudan Beridze, and the Batumi Vocal Ensemble under choirmaster Gela Vadachkoria.

The programme brought together prominent Georgian performers, including Archil Gogitidze, Otar Nakashidze, Chabuka Surmanidze, Davit Gvelesiani, George Gurgen, Lela Sikharulidze, Tea Gelovani, Ketevan Kemoklidze, Mariana Beridze and Berdia Oniani. The evening was hosted by television presenter and journalist Berdia Kutubidze.

The audience heard works by renowned Georgian composers as well as celebrated arias from Georgian operas, presenting the richness of Georgia’s musical heritage in the unique historical setting of Gonio-Apsaros.

The Sounds of Gonio project was initiated by the Ministry of Culture of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara and organized by the Batumi State Music Centre and the Ajara Cultural Heritage Preservation Agency.

The launch of the festival represents a significant step towards connecting Georgia’s historical heritage with contemporary cultural life and strengthening Ajara’s position as a destination for cultural tourism, international artistic exchange and cultural diplomacy.