TSINANDALI FESTIVAL PRESENTS EIGHTH EDITION IN THE HEART OF GEORGIA’S WINE COUNTRY
PAN-CAUCASIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA GIVE FOUR CONCERTS INCLUDING FESTIVAL OPENING AND CLOSING
3 – 13 SEPTEMBER 2026
Photo credit: Levan Kalmakhelidze
The Tsinandali Festival returns in September 2026 to the Tsinandali Estate, inviting audiences to experience world-class performances in a remarkable setting of gardens, vineyards and historic architecture in the centre of Georgia’s wine country at the historic Tsinandali Festival.
The Festival’s beating heart and raison d’être is the Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra, which brings together young musicians from across the Caucasus countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. United by their shared aim of fostering understanding and transcending cultural barriers, the young musicians are given the opportunity to learn from internationally renowned conductors, coaches and soloists in a four-week residential training programme culminating in four performances under maestros Gianandrea Noseda, the Festival’s Music Director; Daniel Harding and Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider:
• 03 Sep: Gianandrea Noseda, Lisa Batiashvili & Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra — Szymanowski Violin Concerto No. 1; Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
• 06 Sep: Gianandrea Noseda, Pinchas Zukerman & Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra — Beethoven Violin Concerto; Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition
• 09 Sep: Rafael Payare, Chen Reiss, Okka von der Damerau & Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra — Mahler Symphony No. 2 ‘Resurrection’
• 13 Sep: Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider, Davit Khrikuli & Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra — Chopin Piano Concerto No. 2; Strauss Der Rosenkavalier Suite; Ravel La Valse
As always, the Tsinandali Festival presents the world’s greatest artists in idyllic surroundings. This year’s Festival includes performances from Sergei Babayan, Lisa Batiashvili, Raphaël Feuillâtre, Ilya Gringolts, Marc-André Hamelin, Alexander Malofeev, Sayaka Shoji, Anita Rachvelishvili, Chen Reiss, Sayaka Shoji, Kian Soltani and Pinchas Zukerman, among others.
The 2026 Tsinandali Festival offers wide-ranging repertoire, from cornerstone masterworks to rarities, including Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, Mussorgsky/Ravel’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2, and Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier Suite, alongside chamber music programmes featuring Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Franck, Stravinsky, Weinberg, Debussy, and more.
Festival highlights also include the Sukhishvili National Ballet of Georgia, a Lisa Batiashvili Foundation Concert and Bizet’s La Tragédie de Carmen.
All programmes are curated by the Festival’s joint Founders & Artistic Directors, Martin Engstroem and Avi Shoshani.
Martin Engstroem and Avi Shoshani comment:
“We are very grateful to the wonderful roster of musicians who have agreed to join us to celebrate the power and beauty of music in the uniquely picturesque setting of the Tsinandali Estate. To be able to present four concerts with our incredible Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra and world-class soloists and great conductors means everything to us and the visionary George Ramishvili and his team.”
George Ramishvili, Chairman of the Silk Road Group & Chairman and Founder of the Tsinandali Festival, comments:
“Due to its geographic location Georgia has long been a crossroads for trade and cultural exchange among nations of diverse cultural and political backgrounds. I have always believed that cultural exchange is one of the most powerful ways to bring people together. This was also the philosophy of Alexandre Chavchavadze, the 19th-century owner of the Tsinandali Estate, and I see the Tsinandali Festival as a continuation of that vision in the 21st century. At a time when the world faces fragmentation and conflict, culture, education and friendship can unite people of different backgrounds and beliefs through the simple beauty of music.”
Yerkin Tatishev, Founder and Board member comments:
“The Tsinandali Festival brings together outstanding musicians and audiences in Kakheti, uniting exceptional music with Georgia’s hospitality, wine and cuisine to create a unique cultural destination and a platform for dialogue, collaboration and inspiration across borders.”
David Sakvarelidze, General Director of the Tsinandali Festival, comments:
“Georgia has one of the richest cultural histories of any country in the world. The Tsinandali Festival is reminding the world that this heritage is to not only be celebrated by great international musicians but also nurtured for future generations.”
For more information on the festival please visit https://tsinandalifestival.ge/