Press releases

MINSK, 15 August (BelTA) – Famous Georgian jazz singer Nino Katamadze will perform at the Tbilisoba festival in Minsk on 1 September, Ambassador of Georgia to Belarus Valeri Kvaratskhelia told reporters on 15 August, BelTA has learned.

Minsk residents and tourists will be able to see the legendary Erisioni ensemble that performs national Georgian songs and dances and the Voices of Georgia folk music band.

This year the much-loved festival will grow even bigger. It will last till midnight and spread along the Svisloch River and Zybitskaya Street. For the first time, the Tour Bazaar event will be held to tell the audience about Georgian tourist attractions and to offer tours to Georgia at a discount.

“Georgia has turned into a popular tourist destination in recent years. Last year we welcomed about 7 million tourists, including 45,000 tourists from Belarus. This year we expect 8 million visitors. I believe arrivals from Belarus will double to reach 100,000 people,” the diplomat said.

Among the most interesting features of the festival will be selection of wine grapes for making traditional Georgian wine. The organizers promise to expand the food court to give everyone an opportunity to appreciate the Georgian national cuisine. Twenty restaurants have already submitted applications to serve food during the festival. Apart from that, cafes and restaurants located on Zybitskaya Street will also join the festival. “This year we are marking the 100^th anniversary of Georgia’s independence. We will try our best to hold Tbilisoba in the spirit of this event. We will bring to Minsk the best things we have,” the ambassador underlined.

Representative of the Mamuli cultural and educational association Gabriel Kupatadze said that the numerous Georgian diaspora will come to the festival to showcase their culture and traditions.

Minsk Deputy Mayor Igor Yurkevich noted that Tbilisoba Borjomi gave a start to national culture days in Minsk. Last year the presentation of Georgia of the 21^st century was attended by 50,000 people. This year the organizers expect to draw at least 100,000 visitors. “It is impossible not to fall in love with the country and its people if you come to this festival. It has a special vibe that draws Minskers,” Igor Yurkevich said.

The festival will be held during the Days of Georgia in Belarus that will start on 31 August with the screening of movies and an exhibition of Georgian artists.