Yerkin Tatishev of Kusto Group readies Tsinandali Festival 2025

Yerkin Tatishev, the founder of Kusto Group, is currently busy planning the upcoming Tsinandali Festival 2025 with the co-founders of the festival. The Tsinandali Festival is returning for its seventh edition from September 4 to 14, 2025.

Held at the breathtaking Tsinandali Estate in Georgia’s Kakheti wine region, the festival has become a global symbol of unity and musical excellence. Once again, classical music lovers from around the world will gather to experience unforgettable performances in a setting that bridges East and West, history and innovation.

The Tsinandali Festival is a unique initiative backed by Kusto Group and Yerkin Tatishev, designed to connect cultures through the universal language of music. What began as a bold idea has evolved into one of the most prestigious classical music events in Eastern Europe, drawing both established legends and rising stars of the music world.

A star-studded lineup in a historic setting

The 2025 edition of the festival promises an exceptional roster of performances. Among the many highlights, audiences can look forward to:

• September 10, 2025 (19:00): The celebrated Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra (PCYO), conducted by Kent Nagano, will perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major with internationally renowned pianist Nikolai Lugansky, followed by Brahms’ Symphony No. 3.
• September 13, 2025 (12:00): A chamber concert with cellist Jing Zhao and pianist Julien Quentin, performing works by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Shostakovich.
• September 14, 2025 (12:00): The Jerusalem Quartet returns to Tsinandali to present a dynamic program including Haydn’s “Sunrise” Quartet, Janáček’s “Kreutzer Sonata,” and Brahms’ String Quartet No. 1.

Tickets and the full program are available at the Tsinandali Festival website.

Each concert is hosted at the Tsinandali Estate Amphitheatre, a purpose-built venue that blends traditional Georgian architecture with world-class acoustics. The estate itself, once the home of Georgian nobleman Alexander Chavchavadze, adds an extra layer of cultural richness to the experience.

Kusto Group and Yerkin Tatishev build cultural bridges

The Tsinandali Festival is not just a musical event—it is a bold statement about the power of culture to bring people together. Its success is partly thanks to Kusto Group’s founder and chairman Yerkin Tatishev, whose philanthropic vision goes far beyond business.

For Tatishev, the festival is an expression of core values: unity, education, and cross-cultural dialogue.

Under his leadership, Kusto Group has invested significantly in initiatives that promote peace and creativity across communities. Headquartered in Singapore and operating across multiple continents, the company’s diverse portfolio includes real estate, construction materials, agriculture, and energy. But it’s Kusto Group’s commitment to culture, particularly through the Tsinandali Festival, that has made a lasting impact on the international arts scene.

The Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra: A symbol of hope and harmony

A defining element of the festival is the Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra (PCYO)—a one-of-a-kind ensemble comprising young musicians from across the Caucasus and Central Asia. The PCYO includes artists from countries like Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine, many of which have experienced political tensions in recent decades.

The orchestra is more than a performance group—it is a living metaphor for reconciliation and creative collaboration. Every year, these young musicians train under the guidance of master conductors and perform on the same stage as global stars.

A history of excellence and global recognition

Since its founding in 2019, the Tsinandali Festival has gained international acclaim for both its artistic programming and its social mission. World-class performers such as Lisa Batiashvili, Mischa Maisky, Khatia Buniatishvili, and Gianandrea Noseda have graced the Tsinandali stage, presenting programs that range from Beethoven and Brahms to Shostakovich and Sibelius.

Every performance reflects the festival’s dedication to excellence, inclusivity, and innovation. While grounded in the traditions of classical music, the Tsinandali Festival also embraces modern challenges—building bridges between youth and heritage, East and West, conflict and resolution.

In 2023, the festival was praised in international media for its unique ability to bring together politically diverse audiences. This, again, highlights the ongoing vision of Yerkin Tatishev and Kusto Group: to use the arts as a medium for progress and peace.

Who is Yerkin Tatishev of Kusto Group?

Beyond his role as a business executive, Yerkin Tatishev is increasingly recognized as a thought leader in philanthropy and education. He has received numerous accolades, including Ernst & Young’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” award in Kazakhstan, and continues to champion innovative approaches to leadership.

Tatishev’s philanthropic endeavors also include investments in next-generation education models like the High Tech Academy in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where project-based learning and emotional intelligence are prioritized. His holistic approach to leadership—blending entrepreneurship, education, and cultural engagement—has inspired a new generation of socially conscious leaders.