LIXIN Group – the Phnom Penh-based Eurasian global investment firm – on July 16 staged the first annual Batumi Festival in Georgia's second largest city, a tourism gem nestled exquisitely on the shore of the Black Sea.

Held beneath Batumi's iconic Alphabetic Tower, the event was a huge success, drawing tens of thousands of visitors who experienced the beauty of traditional Georgian dance alongside the energy of live DJ sets.

LIXIN Group's Batumi Festival is aimed at showcasing Georgia's profile as a tourist destination, with its rich heritage a springboard for boosting cultural tourism to the Caucasian country and expanding its profile internationally.

Tamada, a legend in Georgian music, performed at the event, along with the band Seaside, Georgian dance ensemble Arsiani, pop star Sopho Khalvashi and musician Tobako Tween, as well as Beka Kalandadze, Bene, Cheeky, Goldman and many more well-known bands and DJs.

Installed at the Batumi Festival was a magnificent, one-of-a-kind artwork featuring two-metre tall representations of the 33 letters of the Georgian alphabet spectacularly lit up.

A celebration of Georgian culture and the beauty of the city to help promote it as a top-notch tourist destination, the festival merged beach culture and DJ sets with a shopping bazaar, and urban culture with interactive art pieces.

The event site was divided into six sections – the Outdoor Cinema Zone, Family Game Zone, Food and Beverage Zone, Shopping Zone, Entertainment Zone and Bar Zone.

Each zone, alongside its distinct theme, celebrated Georgia's rich and unique cultural heritage.

And as well as soaking up the exciting festival spirit, visitors could unwind by taking in a film on the terrace overlooking the sea, or explore Batumi while looking for exquisite one-of-a-kind collector's items and artworks from around the world.

The finer things in life could also be indulged in by sampling Georgia's famously delicious cuisine and outstanding wines.