Batumi
Georgia
UNESCO City of Music
since 2021
Batumi, with its geopolitical location and natural, historical and cultural assets, has enormous potential with regards to the development of the music industry. The city hosts six international Music Festivals annually, namely The International Black Sea Jazz Festival, The Night Serenades, The Black Sea Sound, The Batumi Black Sea Music and Art Festival, The Garakanidze Batumi Folk and Spiritual Music Festival, and The Batumi Art Festival. In addition to various local music concerts, festivals, competitions, and fairs, the city hosts international projects that promote cross-sectoral cooperation in the cultural industry. The Batumi International Film Festival, The Black Sea Wine Festival, Batumoba, Oktoberfest Gandagana, Summer Season Opening Fest, and the Batumi Kite Festival all incorporate music as an integral part of the celebrations. Moreover, Batumi boasts numerous cultural facilities, allowing for the creation of music and performances. Apart from the traditional concert venues – concert halls, theaters, and music centres, the city offers various unique cultural spaces. As an example, recently the Petra Fortress has become a tourist site of international importance and a concert venue, which was renovated with the provision of adapted paths, a visitor centre, and exhibition centres. It can accommodate around 2,000 visitors for concerts and offers unique cultural experience.
As a Creative City of Music, the following steps will be important:
● Strengthening international cooperation between UNESCO Creative Cities Network member cities, through the organization of various multilateral music festivals and events;
● Improving access to and participation in cultural life, notably for marginalized groups, by increasing state funding for affordable and free cultural events;
● Facilitating research on challenges and the potential of music through the organization of an international conference for sharing knowledge and expertise about the music industry and creativity;
● Increasing the importance of creativity in the city’s urban development through increased public-private partnerships; and
● Developing a Music and Art Education Hub to offer quality, affordable music education, and increasing the interest of youth in creativity.