The Liana Issakadze International Festival “Night Serenades 2026” traditionally opened in Borjomi, at the Borjomi Likani Hotel, with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Georgia, LEPL Creative Georgia, the Ministry of Culture of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, Borjomi City Hall, Tbilisi City Hall and Batumi City Hall.

This year’s festival programme is exceptionally diverse and celebrates the 80th anniversary of the birth of the legendary Georgian violinist Liana Issakadze through seven outstanding concerts. The festival brings together internationally acclaimed Georgian and foreign musicians, as well as talented young performers: Beatrice Venezi – conductor; Yuki Serino – violin; Andres Gabetta – violin; Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi – bandoneon; Gloria Campaner – piano; Jan-Erik Gustafsson – cello; Anna-Liisa Bezrodny – violin; Sandro Nebieridze – piano; Sandro Gegechkori – piano; Nello Salza – trumpet; Mariam Machitidze – soprano; Nikoloz Vadachkoria – flute; Giorgi Shiolashvili – piano; the festival’s base orchestra “Georgian Virtuosi”, with Lela Mchedlidze as concertmaster; and the Giya Kancheli Tbilisi Youth Orchestra.

On 21, 23 and 25 August, the festival concert evenings will continue in Batumi, at the Batumi Drama Theatre.

Natia Blagidze – Head of the Culture Department of the Ministry of Culture of Adjara: “The Liana Isakadze International Festival holds a special significance and emotional weight this year, as it is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Ms. Liana. The Ministry of Culture of Adjara, under the leadership of Eliso Bolkvadze, is once again one of the main supporters of the festival, which is driven by the high creative value of the festival program. Furthermore, the main priority of the Ministry is to support young artists, which is reflected in the educational program of “Night Serenades” and provides young musicians with the opportunity to share professional knowledge and international experience. We believe that the festival will promote classical music in the region to the maximum extent and once again turn our city into a center of high musical art”.

Sopo Khalvashi – Deputy Mayor of Batumi Municipality: “Celebrating the 80th anniversary of Ms. Liana in Batumi and the concerts of the extraordinary festival “Night Serenades” in our city is truly a worthy continuation. It is very important for us that Batumi is hosting this festival. “Night Serenades” was one of the first highly significant international festivals that never lowered its bar; on the contrary, every year it spoils us more and more with very great musicians. I advise everyone from the new generation not to miss the concerts scheduled within the framework of the festival on August 21, 23, and 25, because the musicians performing will be those they will remember for the rest of their lives”.

Giorgi Issakadze, Artistic Director of the “Night Serenades”: “It is of great importance to us to hold the festival in Borjomi. The revival of this tradition is particularly significant. The opening concert was a great success. Conductor Beatrice Venezi, violinist Yuki Serino and the festival base orchestra, Georgian Virtuosi, with Lela Mtchedlidze as concertmaster, delivered an outstanding performance of an exceptional programme. The festival will now continue in Batumi, where three major concerts await us. This year’s festival will conclude ceremonially in Tbilisi”.

Beatrice Venezi, Conductor: “It is my first time in Borjomi, and I am delighted to be here. These are incredibly emotional moments. The emotions of the audience, which are transmitted to us, are truly extraordinary. I am very happy that we were welcomed by such a warm and appreciative audience”.

The founder of the “Night Serenades” festival is the legendary violinist Liana Isakadze. Artistic Director: Giorgi Isakadze / Organizer: “Art Alliance” Company / Festival Director: Nina Tsagareli.

Media Supporters: Public Broadcaster of Adjara, GPB, Rustavi 2, Imedi, POS TV, Euronews Georgia, Billboard Georgia, Patriarchate TV “Ertsulovneba”, “Clip Art” Media and Digital Communications Agency, Palitra Media, Prime Time News Agency, Georgia Today [English-language newspaper], The Messenger [Daily English-language newspaper], Sarke, Adjara Newspaper, Adjara Times, Fortuna Radio Holding, and the web platform Fortuna.ge.