Kusto Group

The Tsinandali Festival, a classical music festival set in the picturesque Kakheti region of Georgia, is poised to captivate audiences from August 31st to September 8th, 2024. Now in its sixth edition, this year’s festival once again boasts the support of Yerkin Tatishev, Founder of the international holding firm Kusto Group, underscoring his commitment to cultural and artistic endeavors.

The festival, held at the historic Tsinandali Estate, serves as a crossroads for musicians from Europe and Asia, featuring a diverse array of performances that bridge cultures and traditions. This year’s event opens with a powerful rendition of Verdi’s Messa da Requiem, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda and performed by the Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra (PCYO).

Yerkin Tatishev and Kusto Group’s support for this orchestra is instrumental in fostering young talent across the Caucasus region, with musicians hailing from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Ukraine and Turkmenistan.

Yerkin Tatishev, a key figure in Kusto Group, expresses his enthusiasm for the festival: “The Tsinandali estate has attracted artists for centuries, and the Tsinandali Festival brings today’s greatest classical musicians and the rising stars of tomorrow together in the spectacular surroundings of the estate. Everyone associated with the festival is proud to bring people together for music making at the highest level.”

What to expect from the Tsinandali Festival

The festival’s lineup features an impressive roster of soloists and ensembles. Renowned pianists such as Boris Giltburg, Alexandre Kantorow, Bruce Liu, Mikhail Pletnev and András Schiff will grace the stage, alongside celebrated violinists Kristóf Baráti, Lisa Batiashvili and Joshua Bell. Clarinettist Martin Fröst also joins the list of performers, ensuring a rich and varied musical experience for attendees.

In addition to the opening concert, the PCYO, under the direction of various conductors, will perform a series of captivating works. On September 3rd, the orchestra will present Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 and Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 2, featuring the virtuosic violinist Joshua Bell and soprano Barbara Frittoli.

On September 6th, the PCYO enters the stage with Vasily Petrenko conducting Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, with Alexandre Kantorow as the soloist. The festival concludes on September 8th with a performance of Schubert, Mendelssohn and Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5, featuring Lisa Batiashvili and conducted by András Schiff.

The Tsinandali Festival also offers a rich array of recitals and chamber music concerts. Pianists such as Boris Giltburg and Bruce Liu will perform solo recitals, while chamber ensembles featuring musicians like Steven Isserlis and Irène Duval promise intimate and engaging performances. Additionally, the Lisa Batiashvili Foundation is presenting quintets by Korngold and a performanceby Sandro Nebieridze, a 23-year-old Georgian composer.

Education, understanding and peace: The Tsinandali Festival is much more than music

George Ramishvili, Chairman of the Silk Road Group and Founder of the Tsinandali Festival, shares his excitement for this year’s event: “The festival’s sixth season is coming, and I am happy that with every season it gains more and more success and public interest. Tsinandali, our cultural gem, has become well known to the international audience of classical music lovers.”

The festival’s co-founders and artistic directors, Martin Engstroem and Avi Shoshani, emphasize the significance of the PCYO: “By bringing together these gifted young musicians from around the region, we hope to create a community that listens to each other and plays together to not only make great music but one that also transcends division and inspires hope.”

The Tsinandali Festival’s mission extends beyond music, aiming to foster a culture of education, understanding and peace in a historically complex region. Seminars and masterclasses conducted by visiting artists offer young musicians invaluable learning experiences, enhancing their skills and broadening their horizons.

Yerkin Tatishev and Kusto Group’s dedication to cultural enrichment

This year, the festival will also feature a special performance by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, marking their Georgian debut. The orchestra’s artist in residence, Lisa Batiashvili, described the Europakonzert held at the Tsinandali estate as the “highlight of my life.” This landmark event not only celebrates Georgia’s rich musical heritage but also supports its candidacy for EU membership.

Yerkin Tatishev and Kusto Group’s involvement with the Tsinandali Festival highlights their dedication to cultural enrichment and the arts. Through their support, the festival continues to thrive as a platform for artistic excellence and cross-cultural dialogue, bringing together musicians and audiences from around the world.

As the Tsinandali Festival 2024 approaches, anticipation builds for a series of performances that promise to be as inspiring as they are diverse. With Yerkin Tatishev and Kusto Group’s backing, this year’s festival is set to be a memorable celebration of music, unity and artistic collaboration.

In a tragic turn of events, Kazakhstan has been ravaged by devastating spring floods at the beginning of April 2024, leaving cities and villages submerged and forcing over 96,000 people to evacuate. Amidst the chaos, Yerkin Tatishev, the head of Kusto Group, has stepped forward to extend a helping hand to those in need. Recognizing the urgent need for assistance, Kusto Group announced a donation of 400 million tenge to aid the affected people and communities in Kazakhstan.

“We express our sympathy and support to the victims of the natural disaster. The country’s leadership, competent government agencies, volunteers and citizens will do everything necessary to prevent human casualties, provide assistance to the victims and overcome the consequences of floods. We will join this work and provide maximum assistance to the affected Kazakhstanis,” Yerkin Tatishev and Kusto Group wrote on the company’s social media channels.

The floodwaters, which originated from vast sections of Russia and Kazakhstan, engulfed multiple areas across the region and has been called “the biggest disaster in the last 80 years” by the Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The flooding, which affected five regions of Kazakhstan, prompted an urgent response from both local and international communities. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in coordination with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, addressed the emergency situation, emphasizing the need for swift action and support for the affected populations. 

How Yerkin Tatishev and Kusto Group Helped Ukraine

The donation from Kusto Group will be instrumental in providing essential relief efforts, including emergency shelter, food, clean water and medical supplies to those displaced by the floods. Additionally, the funds will support long-term recovery and reconstruction initiatives to help affected communities rebuild and recover from the disaster.

Kusto Group, under the leadership of Yerkin Tatishev, has long been committed to making a positive impact beyond the world of business. Through various philanthropic endeavors, they have consistently demonstrated their dedication to supporting communities in need, both locally and globally. One notable example of their charitable efforts is their donation of medical equipment to Ukraine during the coronavirus pandemic.

As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, healthcare systems faced unprecedented challenges in managing the crisis. Recognizing the urgent need for support, Kusto Group and Yerkin Tatishev stepped up to provide assistance to countries grappling with the pandemic. In Ukraine, where medical resources were stretched thin, their contribution made a significant difference in bolstering the country’s response to the virus.

The donation of medical equipment, including essential supplies such as ventilators, personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies, helped strengthen Ukraine’s healthcare infrastructure and enhance its capacity to care for COVID-19 patients.

These vital resources were instrumental in enabling healthcare professionals to provide quality care to those affected by the virus while also safeguarding their own health and safety. 

Inspiring Others to Lend a Helping Hand

Yerkin Tatishev, as the driving force behind Kusto Group’s charitable initiatives, has consistently emphasized the importance of giving back to society and supporting vulnerable communities. His leadership has fostered a culture of corporate social responsibility within the organization, inspiring employees and stakeholders to actively engage in philanthropy and volunteerism.

Beyond their response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kusto Group and Yerkin Tatishev have undertaken various other charitable endeavors aimed at addressing a wide range of social, environmental and humanitarian issues.

From supporting education and youth development programs to promoting environmental sustainability and conservation efforts, their philanthropic initiatives reflect a holistic approach to corporate citizenship.

In addition to their direct contributions, Kusto Group and Yerkin Tatishev have also collaborated with non-profit organizations, government agencies and other stakeholders to maximize the impact of their charitable efforts.

By leveraging partnerships and resources, they have been able to reach more communities, implement sustainable solutions and drive positive change on a larger scale.

Overall, Kusto Group and Yerkin Tatishev’s commitment to philanthropy exemplifies their dedication to creating a better world for future generations. Through their generosity, compassion and leadership, they have made a meaningful difference in the lives of countless people and communities, leaving a lasting legacy of hope, resilience and social responsibility.