The international Shamshi 100 concert tour, supported by the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, concludes in New York

The concert tour began in Madrid on October 21, continued in Paris on October 24 and concluded in New York on October 28 with the Shamshi Alemi concert. The events were held in celebration of Kazakhstan’s Republic Day with the support of the Embassies of Kazakhstan in Spain, France and the United States.

The international cultural project Shamshi 100, dedicated to the upcoming 100th anniversary of the birth of Shamshi Kaldayakov, was implemented by the Shamshi Alemi Public Foundation with the support of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation. The project introduced international audiences to the work of the Kazakh composer and Kazakhstan’s musical heritage, while helping strengthen cultural ties between countries.

“Holding this concert ahead of Republic Day was a wonderful opportunity to introduce Spanish audiences to Kazakh culture and musical heritage. The songs of Shamshi Kaldayakov hold a special place in the hearts of our people. Performing them in Spanish opened the door to a new audience. I am confident that the Shamshi Alemi concert has contributed to strengthening cultural ties between Kazakhstan and Spain,” said Danat Mussayev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Spain.

Paris

“The songs of Shamshi Kaldayakov are a priceless legacy that holds a special place in the hearts of the Kazakh people and is passed down from generation to generation. Performing Shamshi’s songs in French in Paris showed that Kazakh culture can reach new audiences and resonate with people in a different cultural environment. For us, projects like this are an important part of cultural diplomacy between Kazakhstan and France and a meaningful way to strengthen the friendship between our peoples,” said Gulsara Arystankulova, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the French Republic.

The final concert of the tour took place in New York on October 28. It was attended by around 150 guests, including representatives of the cultural, business and academic communities, members of the diplomatic corps, the Kazakh diaspora and students from Kazakhstan. The program featured English-language versions of the composer’s well-known songs, including “Әнім сен едің”, “Ана туралы жыр”, “Қайдасың”, “Сыр сұлуы” and “Бақыт құшағында”.

“Culture has always served as a bridge between peoples, helping us understand one another better and bringing people closer together. This concert carried particular symbolic significance ahead of the 35th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Independence, the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and the United States, and the 250th anniversary of American independence. Shamshi Kaldayakov holds a special place in the heart of every Kazakhstani, and his work is an integral part of our national heritage. Introducing American audiences to his legacy has become another symbol of friendship and mutual understanding between Kazakhstan and the United States,” said Magzhan Ilyassov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United States.

Madrid

As part of the Shamshi 100 project, the Foundation supported the creation of contemporary arrangements for 35 songs by Shamshi Kaldayakov and poetic adaptations of 20 selected works into Spanish, French and English. The international tour featured leading soloists of the Abai Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre, as well as members of the composer’s family. In Madrid, the concert was accompanied by the Madrid Festival Orchestra, while the performances in Paris and New York were presented in a chamber format.

“Shamshi Kaldayakov’s songs are widely known and loved in Kazakhstan. It was especially gratifying for us to see how warmly they were received by international audiences hearing these works for the first time. We are grateful to the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation for supporting the project and giving us the opportunity to present Shamshi Kaldayakov’s legacy abroad,” said Mukhtar Kaldayakov, the composer’s son and founder of the Shamshi Alemi Public Foundation.

“In 2030, we will mark the 100th anniversary of Shamshi Kaldayakov’s birth. Ahead of this milestone, it was a great honor for us to present the work of the composer known as the ‘King of the Kazakh Waltz’ to audiences around the world. Shamshi 100 continues the cultural initiatives supported by the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation. Previously, the Foundation supported projects promoting the literary legacy of Olzhas Suleimenov and the work of Batyrkhan Shukenov and Zhaniya Aubakirova. In 2024, the Foundation also partnered with the exhibition Kazakhstan: Treasures of the Great Steppe at the Musée Guimet in Paris. It is important for us to present Kazakhstan’s cultural heritage internationally and contribute to strengthening cultural ties between countries,” said Ainur Karbozova, CEO of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation.

Madrid

Болат Өтемұратов Қоры 2014 жылы қазақстандық кәсіпкер әрі меценат Болат Өтемұратовтың бастамасымен құрылды. Қор денсаулық сақтау, білім беру, қоршаған ортаны қорғау, мәдениет, инклюзия және өңірлік даму салаларындағы қайырымдылық бастамаларға 250 млн АҚШ долларынан астам қаражат бағыттады. Қор сондай-ақ табиғи апаттардан зардап шеккендерге көмек көрсетіп, өңірлерде заманауи әлеуметтік және азаматтық инфрақұрылымды дамытуға қолдау көрсетеді.