The Meliton Balanchivadze Competition was established in 2013 in Kutaisi, in his hometown. It was in Kutaisi that he founded the first professional Musical School in West Georgia in 1918. Throughout its 105-year history, this institution has nurtured generations of notable Georgian musicians, performers, educators, and composers. The graduates of the school continue to study and successfully work in various countries around the world.
The idea of establishment of the Meliton Balanchivadze Competition was originated within this educational institution, and the Competition was held nationally in 2013, 2015, and 2018.
In 2018, the jury of the Competition comprised of nine members, along the distinguished Georgian musicians, included four professors from the I. Paderewski Musical Academy in Poznań, Poland. The jury was chaired by the prominent Georgian Conductor, Professor Gogi Chichinadze. Within the scope of the competition, master classes were conducted in all performance directions. Additionally, one of the participants, together with his teacher, was invited to the international master classes at the Summer Academy in Kalisz, Poland.
Aiming to reflect the contemporary trends, facilitate the exchange of the international experiences, and expand the competitive field, the Competition in 2022 became international event with a focus on piano.
The jury of the 2022 Competition featured prominent performers, educators, and musicians from the leading Conservatories and Universities of Georgia, Brazil, Poland, Lithuania, and included students from Lithuania. International master classes were part of the Competition's offerings.
The 2022 Meliton Balanchivadze International Young Musicians’ Competition was dedicated to the 160th anniversary of Meliton Balanchivadze, one of the founders of the Georgian School of Composers and professional musical education in Georgia.