She was born into the family of poet Zaur Bolkvadze. At the age of seven, she gave her first performance with a symphony orchestra. This was soon followed by victories in numerous international competitions.

She studied at the Tbilisi Special Music School for Gifted Children and later at the Tbilisi State Conservatoire.

EDUCATION

1989 – Graduated from the Vano Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatoire, majoring in Piano.

1989–1991 – Postgraduate studies at the Vano Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatoire.

1996–1998 – Alfred Cortot Higher School of Music, Paris – Higher Diploma.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Since March 2025 – Minister of Culture of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara.

2021–2024 – Chairperson of the Committee of Culture of the Parliament of Georgia.

2020–2024 – Member of the Parliament of Georgia of the 10th Convocation, elected through the party list of Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia.

CAREER

She is a laureate of numerous prestigious international piano competitions, including:

• Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, USA;
• Vianna da Motta International Music Competition, Lisbon, Portugal;
• Dublin International Piano Competition, Dublin, Ireland;
• Marguerite Long International Piano Competition, Paris, France, where she received a Special Prize for the best performance of French music.

She has received the State Prize of Georgia and the special award “Pillar of Georgian Culture.”

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AWARDS2018 – Order of Honor, State Award of Georgia.

2016 – Knight of the French Legion of Honour in the field of Arts.

2015 – UNESCO Artist for Peace.

1997–2000 – Villa Schindler Scholarship, Austria.

1995 – Finalist of the Marguerite Long International Piano Competition; Special Prize for the best performance of French music.

1993 – State Prize of Georgia.

1989 – Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Fort Worth, USA.

1987 – 10th Vianna da Motta International Competition for Performers, Lisbon, Portugal – Second Prize.

1984 – International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition for Performers, Leipzig, Germany – Sixth Prize.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONFounder of the Batumi International Festival of Black Sea Music and Arts.

Founder of the charitable foundation “Lyra.”