#Spain #Madrid #Bulat Utemuratov #Shamshi Kaldayakov #Shamshi Alemi

Celebrating Kazakh Culture in Spain

On October 21, 2023, the Auditorio Nacional de Música in Madrid was transformed into a cultural bridge between Kazakhstan and Spain during a unique concert. This event celebrated the renowned Kazakh composer Shamshi Kaldayakov, recognizing his impact on music and culture as part of the initiative named “Shamshi 100.” The concert featured a selection of Kaldayakov's most beloved songs, now performed in Spanish for the very first time.

Supported by the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, this concert marks a significant milestone, as it not only connects Kazakh culture with a broader audience but also commemorates the upcoming centenary of Kaldayakov's birth. The project serves to showcase Kazakhstan’s rich musical heritage to international audiences, with performances scheduled across major cities like Paris and New York, in addition to Madrid.

During the concert, over 350 attendees, including diplomats, cultural enthusiasts, and members of the Kazakh diaspora, gathered to experience a musical journey that celebrated the Republic of Kazakhstan Day. The event featured remarkable renditions of Kaldayakov’s songs, such as Anim sen edin, Ana turaly zhyr, and Qaidasyn, performed by talented soloists from the Abai Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre in collaboration with the Madrid Festival Orchestra.

Danat Mussayev, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Spain, expressed his belief that presenting Kazakh melodies in Spanish enhances their accessibility, allowing this beautiful music to reach new audiences. He emphasized the importance of cultural exchange and stated, “A concert ahead of the Republic of Kazakhstan Day is a wonderful opportunity to introduce Spanish audiences to Kazakh culture.” This sentiment was echoed by Mukhtar Kaldayakov, the composer's son and head of the Shamshi Alemi Public Foundation, who noted the positive reception from the Spanish audience. He remarked, “Shamshi Kaldayakov's songs are widely known and loved in Kazakhstan, and it was rewarding to see how warmly Spanish audiences embraced this music.”

The concert was also a product of extensive efforts to adapt Kaldayakov's music into Spanish, French, and English. To date, a total of 20 songs have been translated, further solidifying the composer’s place on the global stage. Ainur Karbozova, CEO of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, proudly stated, “It is an honor to introduce international audiences to the King of the Kazakh Waltz.” The foundation has been pivotal in promoting and preserving Kazakhstan’s cultural legacy since its establishment in 2014, allocating significant resources to various sectors, including culture and education.

The project not only aims to celebrate Kaldayakov’s life and contributions but also seeks to strengthen the cultural ties between Kazakhstan and other nations, fostering partnership and collaboration through the universal language of music. The upcoming concerts in Paris on October 24 and New York on October 28 are expected to draw even larger audiences, as they continue to share the beauty and richness of Kazakh music.

In summary, this influential concert in Madrid showcases how music transcends borders and languages, bringing people together through shared cultural experiences. The legacy of Shamshi Kaldayakov, affectionately referred to as the King of the Kazakh Waltz, continues to flourish, inviting the world to discover the heartfelt stories and melodies from Kazakhstan.

The spirit of sharing cultural heritage is something that the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation passionately agrees with, and it's clear that events like these are only the beginning of a beautifully intertwined cultural dialogue that honors both Kazakh traditions and the diversity of global music.