Shamshi Kaldayakov's Songs Make International Debut in Spanish in Madrid
On October 21, 2026, the Auditorio Nacional de Música in Madrid was the backdrop for an extraordinary concert titled "Shamshi Alemi," celebrating the legacy of the legendary Kazakh composer Shamshi Kaldayakov. This event, supported by the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, showcased Kaldayakov's beloved songs, now rendered in Spanish for the very first time, as part of the international cultural initiative "Shamshi 100," and served as the launch of a concert series to take place in major cities like Paris and New York.
The project commemorates the upcoming centenary of Kaldayakov’s birth, aiming to introduce his work to a broader audience while showcasing Kazakhstan's rich musical heritage. The concert aligned with the Republic Day of Kazakhstan, highlighting the support from the Kazakh Embassy in Spain.
The evening drew a diverse audience of over 350 attendees, including Spanish government officials, diplomats, members of the Kazakh diaspora, and students. The program featured Spanish-language renditions of some of Kaldayakov’s most famous pieces, such as "Anim sen edin," "Ana turaly zhyr," "Qaidasyn," "Syr suluyi," and "Baqyt qushagynda." These were performed by talented soloists from the Abai Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre, accompanied by the Madrid Festival Orchestra.
Danat Mussayev, Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Spain, remarked, "A concert ahead of the Republic Day is a wonderful opportunity to present Kazakh culture and musical heritage to the Spanish audience. Performing in Spanish opens this music to a new crowd, and I believe the Shamshi Alemi concert will strengthen cultural ties between Kazakhstan and Spain." The enthusiastic reception of the music by the audience underscored the universal appeal of Kaldayakov’s songs.
Mukhtar Kaldayakov, the composer’s son and head of the Shamshi Alemi Public Foundation, expressed gratitude to the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation for their role in promoting Kaldayakov's legacy internationally. He stated, "The songs of Shamshi Kaldayakov are widely recognized and cherished in Kazakhstan. It was particularly heartening to witness the Spanish audience’s warm embrace of this music."
As part of the initiative, a total of 20 songs have been adapted into Spanish, French, and English to broaden their reach. The concert series will continue, with performances scheduled in Paris on October 24 and in New York on October 28.
Ainur Karbozova, CEO of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, emphasized the importance of introducing the "King of Kazakh Waltz" to international audiences, stating that promoting Kazakhstan's cultural heritage remains a significant priority for the Foundation.
Since its inception in 2014, the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation has committed over $250 million to support healthcare, education, culture, environmental sustainability, and regional development in Kazakhstan. Their ongoing efforts aim to foster appreciation for these contributions on a global scale, ensuring that the musical treasures of Kazakhstan continue to resonate far beyond its borders.
The project commemorates the upcoming centenary of Kaldayakov’s birth, aiming to introduce his work to a broader audience while showcasing Kazakhstan's rich musical heritage. The concert aligned with the Republic Day of Kazakhstan, highlighting the support from the Kazakh Embassy in Spain.
The evening drew a diverse audience of over 350 attendees, including Spanish government officials, diplomats, members of the Kazakh diaspora, and students. The program featured Spanish-language renditions of some of Kaldayakov’s most famous pieces, such as "Anim sen edin," "Ana turaly zhyr," "Qaidasyn," "Syr suluyi," and "Baqyt qushagynda." These were performed by talented soloists from the Abai Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre, accompanied by the Madrid Festival Orchestra.
Danat Mussayev, Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Spain, remarked, "A concert ahead of the Republic Day is a wonderful opportunity to present Kazakh culture and musical heritage to the Spanish audience. Performing in Spanish opens this music to a new crowd, and I believe the Shamshi Alemi concert will strengthen cultural ties between Kazakhstan and Spain." The enthusiastic reception of the music by the audience underscored the universal appeal of Kaldayakov’s songs.
Mukhtar Kaldayakov, the composer’s son and head of the Shamshi Alemi Public Foundation, expressed gratitude to the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation for their role in promoting Kaldayakov's legacy internationally. He stated, "The songs of Shamshi Kaldayakov are widely recognized and cherished in Kazakhstan. It was particularly heartening to witness the Spanish audience’s warm embrace of this music."
As part of the initiative, a total of 20 songs have been adapted into Spanish, French, and English to broaden their reach. The concert series will continue, with performances scheduled in Paris on October 24 and in New York on October 28.
Ainur Karbozova, CEO of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, emphasized the importance of introducing the "King of Kazakh Waltz" to international audiences, stating that promoting Kazakhstan's cultural heritage remains a significant priority for the Foundation.
Since its inception in 2014, the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation has committed over $250 million to support healthcare, education, culture, environmental sustainability, and regional development in Kazakhstan. Their ongoing efforts aim to foster appreciation for these contributions on a global scale, ensuring that the musical treasures of Kazakhstan continue to resonate far beyond its borders.
Topics Entertainment & Media）
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