The Chabukiani-Balanchine International Festival of Ballet Art — festival-contest, the first in history of the Georgian ballet, was founded by choreographer, People's Artist of Georgia Tamaz Vashakidze in 2001.
The author of the Festival logo was Zviad Tsikolia, and the author of the Grand Prix statuette was Gia Japaridze.
I Festival (June 2001)
The first Festival was held in June 2001 and was dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the V. Chabukiani Tbilisi Ballet Art State School. The co-director and presenter of the Festival was the People's artist of Georgia Kote Makharadze.
Countries-participants of the I Festival: France, Russia, Japan, Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Albania, Georgia.
The Tbilisi Ballet Art State School named after genius creative personality Vakhtang Chabukiani is celebrating its eighty-fifth jubilee. It is remarkable, that the First “Chabukiani-Balanchine...” International Ballet Art Festival is dedicated to this event. If we may speak today about Georgian contribution in the treasury of the world ballet, then first of all it is the merit of the Vakhtang Chabukiani Tbilisi Ballet Art State School. I’m sure that the First “Chabukiani-Balanchine...” International Ballet Art Festival will write interesting pages in the history of world arts. (Sesili Gogiberidze, Georgian Minister of Culture. Speech at the Festival opening ceremony)
I am happy to congratulate the remarkable team of the Vakhtang Chabukiani Tbilisi Ballet Art State School with its 85th anniversary. The name of the great dancer that your School has is much obliging. And it’s joyful to realize that due to everyday efforts of the teachers the glory of Georgian choreography art does not fade away still nowadays. Your students shine not only on Georgian stage, but on many famed stages of the world, including the stages of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia and Mariinsky Theatre. I wish you much success in this noble field. Today is your holiday. I am sure that the First “Chabukiani-Balanchine...” International Ballet Art Festival held in Tbilisi and dedicated to this memorable anniversary will bring you real joy of meeting with fine art." (M. Shvydkoy, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation. Speech at the Festival opening ceremony)
Jury members
Vera Tsignadze, People's Artist of Georgia – president of the jury
