Georgia is Making its Mark on the World Cultural Calendar
Georgia is becoming a hot spot on the world cultural calendar. The reason is the large scale project Check-in-Georgia launched in April 2016 with the support of the Government of Georgia and organized by the Cultural Development Investment Fund. Check-in-Georgia encompasses a series of large-scale cultural events to be held in the capital city Tbilisi as well as in others regions of the country.
The project aims at turning Georgia into a cultural center and attracting high number of tourists in 2016, thus supporting local enterprises, especially focused on the regions’ development. It was decided that the project will become an annual tradition and diversified even more.
The large scale cultural activities, launched in April, will continue till the end of the year. A series of concerts, with worldwide celebrity performers, has already featured performers such as: Eros Ramazzotti (April 24th, Tbilisi), Robbie Williams (May 27th, Tbilisi), Maroon 5 (June 7th, Batumi), and opera singer Jose Carreras (June 18th, Kutaisi).
Furthermore, the opening of the Black Sea Arena in coastal Shekvetili, a high-tech concert hall equipped with the latest sound and light system, helped boost the wave of cultural activities. Award-winning performer Christina Aguilera opened the concert hall on July 30th, while other world renowned artists including violinist Vanessa Mae, the legendary Scorpions, and acclaimed Georgian Erisioni are scheduled to perform at the venue.
In addition, Anaklia, a village located on Georgia’s Black Sea coast, hosted GEM Fest 2016 on August 10–14, an annual multi-platform international electronic music festival. The festival brings the best and brightest in youth culture, dance music, and stagecraft to Georgia. GEM City accommodates up to 10,000 people.
Moreover, Check-in-Georgia scheduled a roster of upcoming concerts in 19 towns within the framework of more than 40 festivals, including theater festivals, film festivals, animated film festivals, festivals of modern art, choreographic festivals, fashion weeks, and photo festivals.
It is noteworthy that along with celebrity events envisaged by the project, activities are also planned by private and public sector representatives. Namely, festivals of cheese, wine and agricultural products and exhibitions of local products. Eco-tourism is planned to be fully integrated in the project as well. The project offers cycling tours, hiking activities, tours to the protected areas of Georgia, thus offering international visitors a taste of the best of Georgia.