One of the most popular events, loved by both locals and tourists, the annual Folk Music Festival Art-Gene, which travels throughout Georgia, will start on June 16 in Akhmeta, in the Kakheti region.

On June 22, a concert will be held in the region of Ajara followed by a performance in the village of Gordi, Imereti, on June 28.

The regional tour will be closed by a concert of the Frani band in Khoni, Imereti.

During the tour, spectators will see exhibitions of various artworks, handicrafts as well as a performance by the regional folk ensembles.

The Tbilisi Ethnographic Museum will host the tour from 7 to 14 July.

Georgian composer Dato Evgenidze will open the Tbilisi events and this will be followed by the performance of other Georgian musical bands and singers. Before Evgenidze's concert, spectators will be able to attend a concert of "Acoustics".

On July 8, Asea Sool and Bakur Burduli will continue the Festival program, on July 9 - REGGAEON, on July 10 - "Chveneburebi" and Lela Nakeuri, on July 11 - "Frani". Internationally acclaimed Georgian singer Nino Katamadze's concert will be held on July 12th. 

Famous Georgian folk music band 33a and its lead singer Niaz Diasamidze will traditionally perform at the festival in Tbilisi Ethnographic Museum on July 13.

The large-scale musical event will be closed by the Sukhishvili Georgian National Ballet on July 14.

The festival Art-Gene dates 15 years. The festival is diverse as, apart from live concerts from renowned Georgian musicians, the program also includes an exhibition of modern art, handcraft, Georgian cuisine, national dances as well as folklore shows. The festival allows tourists to discover unique ethnographic materials as well as enjoy a grand promotion of folk music from prominent local bands. 

Photo: Art-Gene 

By Ana Dumbadze