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Music

Kazakhstani Opera Talent Aigerim Altynbek Wins Contest in Italy

Kazakhstani soprano Aigerim Altynbek believes “greater heights” await after she came first in an international opera singing competition in Italy. Altynbek was among singers from 50 countries competing in the Concorso Lirico Internazionale di Portofino (CLIP) in the scenic harbor village of Portofino. The competition, which began in 2015, aims to support young talents and many of its winners and finalists have embarked on successful careers. “I want to share some incredibly joyful news with you!” Altynbek posted on Instagram after she was awarded first prize on Sunday. “This was a truly special experience for me – and I believe even greater heights lie ahead.” President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Altynbek. “This achievement, which has made our country's culture known to the world and has been recognized by international experts, is of great significance,” Tokayev said. “You have made our state proud and brought our native art to the forefront of the world.” Altynbek performed a duet last month with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli at Pompeii, days after an appearance with Spanish tenor José Carreras in Astana. She has already received a number of accolades, including first prize in the Città di Arcore - Giacomo Puccini opera singing competition in Italy last year. She has been studying in Italy after graduating from the Kazakh National University of Arts.

Music

Jessica Lynn’s Concerts in Ashgabat: A New Chapter in Turkmenistan’s Cultural Landscape

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, July 2025 – American country-rock artist Jessica Lynn will perform in Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat, on July 5 and July 6, marking a rare cultural exchange between the country and the West. This event offers a glimpse into Turkmenistan’s gradual shift towards engaging with global culture, even as the country remains cautious in its diplomatic and cultural openness. For the residents of Ashgabat, Jessica Lynn’s performance presents an opportunity to experience live music from a genre not often seen in this part of the world—a blend of American country, rock, and pop influences that are popular across the United States but less familiar in Turkmenistan. As noted by the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan, these concerts symbolize a key moment in strengthening cultural diplomacy. A Milestone for Turkmenistan’s Cultural Diplomacy Jessica Lynn’s two concerts will take place at two significant venues in Ashgabat: the Turkmenistan Cinema Concert Hall and the Arkaç Shopping and Entertainment Center, both emblematic of the country’s urban modernization. The concerts, open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, come at a time when Turkmenistan is slowly embracing a more open stance towards foreign cultural influence. While the country has long been known for its cultural isolation, recent leadership under President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has shown a willingness to engage selectively with the outside world, particularly in the fields of art and entertainment. These concerts serve as a cultural milestone, not just because of Jessica Lynn’s genre-defying music, but also as part of Turkmenistan’s broader strategy to position itself as a more modern and internationally engaged country. By inviting a Western artist like Jessica Lynn, the government is signaling its intent to introduce international music into a society where such influences were once heavily restricted. According to the Turkmenistan State News Agency, the government’s outreach is part of its gradual integration into global culture. Why Country-Rock? The Shared Themes Between Turkmen and American Music The choice of country-rock for this cultural exchange might seem unexpected, but there are surprising similarities between Turkmen folk music and American country music. Both musical traditions place a strong emphasis on storytelling, with lyrics often centered around love, hardship, national pride, and life in rural communities. Turkmen folk music, which has been passed down through generations, is known for its rich oral traditions and its focus on personal and communal narratives. The dutar, a two-stringed instrument, plays a key role in many of these traditional songs, but the central theme—narrating stories of daily life and personal experiences—echoes the storytelling style that defines much of American country music. This connection between storytelling traditions is explored in a Nomads Life article about the influence of Western music on Turkmen artists, highlighting how both cultures value narrative as a central element of their music. Much like the country ballads of artists like Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton, Turkmen folk songs depict struggles, resilience, and deep connections to the land. For example, Turkmen songs often tell tales of life on the steppe, which resonates with country...

Music

Jennifer Lopez to Perform in Kazakhstan – Billion-Tenge Boost Expected

American pop icon Jennifer Lopez will perform in Kazakhstan’s capital this summer, with local officials predicting a major economic windfall from the event. Malik Hasenov, producer at Astana Concert Company, told a recent government meeting that the concert could generate over 6.5 billion KZT ($12.6 million) for the city’s economy and contribute 400 million KZT ($778,000) in taxes to the state budget. Kazakhstan on the Map of J.Lo's World Tour Astana has been added to Lopez’s Up All Night world tour schedule, with the concert set to take place at Astana Arena on August 1. The tour includes stops in Turkey, Egypt, Spain, Hungary, Poland, the UAE, and other countries, but Kazakhstan is her only Central Asian destination. She is scheduled to perform in Abu Dhabi before arriving in Astana and will close the tour in Armenia's capital Yerevan. “I will have some special concerts this summer. I am very much looking forward to meeting you. We haven’t seen each other for too long. This summer is going to be awesome,” Lopez wrote on Instagram. Economic Impact: Expectations and Numbers According to Hasenov, approximately 15,000 tourists are expected to visit Astana for the concert, with significant spending projected across hotels, restaurants, transportation, and retail sectors. “Jennifer Lopez’s arrival will be a landmark moment, opening Astana on the touring map of A-class stars,” he said. Tickets are expected to go on sale shortly, ranging in price from 40,000 to 150,000 KZT ($75 to $290). Astana will also host two other major events in 2025. On July 13, the Alem Fest music festival, featuring British singer Craig David as headliner, will take place at Astana Arena, coinciding with the closing of Comic Con Astana. Additionally, large-scale drone shows are planned, expected to attract up to a million spectators. J.Lo and Kazakhstan: A Brief History This won’t be Jennifer Lopez’s first visit to Kazakhstan. In 2010, she performed at a private birthday celebration, and in 2011, she returned for a New Year’s corporate event. Reports estimate she was paid around $3 million for both appearances. In 2017, Lopez drew attention from Kazakhstani fans during a Las Vegas concert when she echoed chants of “Kazakhstan!” shouted by Gennady Golovkin supporters, a moment that quickly went viral. A year later, controversy arose when YouTube temporarily blocked the Kazakh music video Zyn-zyn, citing similarities to Lopez’s Control Myself. The video was later reinstated following public backlash in Kazakhstan, with many hailing it as a “small victory”. Most recently, in February 2025, Lopez interacted with a Kazakh fan named Binura during a concert in Abu Dhabi, sparking lively discussions across Kazakhstani social media.

Music

Kazakhstan’s Dimash Kudaibergen Lights Up Times Square

Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen’s latest song, "Love’s Not Over Yet," is currently being broadcast on digital billboards in New York’s Times Square. According to DimashNews, the initiative was organized by a U.S.-based fan group, US Dears. The music video is being displayed on four screens at three different locations, including a prominent site featuring both a main and overhead screen. One of these locations, near a subway station, ensures that a large number of passersby can view the broadcast. Prior to this, Dimash’s fans arranged a private premiere screening of the video in a rented hall, which was attended by representatives of Kazakhstani media. In February, Rolling Stone published an article highlighting Kudaibergen’s achievements, including his recognition at the 2024 Distinctive International Arab Festivals Awards (DIAFA) for his contributions to the global music industry. The award ceremony took place in November 2024 in Dubai. Additionally, SPIN magazine recently featured the singer in an article titled Dimash Kudaibergen: A Parisian Triumph of Music, Art and Fashion. The piece detailed his visit to the Alpange music salon in Paris, where he performed SOS d’un Terrien en Détresse alongside French pianist Van Tuan. The article also teased the release of Love’s Not Over Yet. Dimash Kudaibergen is a Kazakh singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, renowned for his vocal range spanning seven octaves and seven semitones, from deep bass to the whistle register. In 2023, he was honored with the title of People's Artist of Kazakhstan.

Culture

Japanese Musician Yutaka Kikuchi Captivated by the Turkmen Dutar

Japanese musician and shamisen performer Yutaka Kikuchi visited Ashgabat recently as part of a cultural exchange program, and shared his admiration for Turkmen musical traditions. According to Kikuchi, the richness and diversity of Turkmenistan’s musical instruments left a strong impression on him. “I consider it my duty to emphasize that during the master classes, I gained invaluable knowledge about Turkmenistan’s unique culture and feel deeply grateful for this experience,” he said. Kikuchi noted striking similarities between Turkmen and Japanese musical instruments, particularly in their design and construction. He observed parallels between Turkmen instruments and the Japanese Koto and Biwa. However, what astonished him the most was the Dutar, which he compared to the shamisen, an instrument he has mastered. With two decades of experience teaching music, Kikuchi was especially pleased to engage with students and faculty at the Turkmen National Conservatory. He praised the enthusiasm and dedication of Turkmen students. “It is a great honor for me to hold a master class for talented Turkmen youth and introduce them to the traditions of Japanese culture,” he said. Alongside Japanese folk dance master Ueda Chiho, Kikuchi conducted a series of master classes at specialized secondary and higher educational institutions in Ashgabat. The visit concluded with a performance at a reception celebrating the birthday of Emperor Naruhito of Japan, a vibrant display of the strengthening cultural ties between the two nations.

Art and Culture

Kazakh Singer Dimash Kudaibergen Climbs U.S. Charts with “Smoke”

Kazakhstani singer Dimash Kudaibergen has achieved significant success on the U.S. charts with his song Smoke, ranking highly on both Amazon and iTunes. Throughout January 2025, international media outlets, including publications in Argentina, the United Kingdom, and the United States, featured stories on the singer. Reports highlighted his exceptional vocal range, creative independence, and dedication to Kazakh national culture - qualities that have earned him a global fan base. “Dimash Kudaibergen is rapidly becoming one of Asia's best-known artists, captivating audiences worldwide with his unique fusion of neo-classical, pop, Kazakh folk, and contemporary trends. His independence allows him to experiment freely, combining traditional Kazakh motifs with global musical influences. For him, music is not just entertainment but an opportunity to present Kazakhstan's rich culture on the world stage,” Haute Living wrote. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zKBUihALTH0[/embed] Released on April 26, 2024, Smoke is one of Dimash’s latest tracks. The music of the composition was written by the singer, with lyrics by Candice Kelly and Dimash Gordon. The song quickly gained traction, and by January 30, 2025, it had risen in the U.S. charts. It reached No. 32 on the iTunes Top 100, entered the Top 10 of Amazon’s Best Sellers in Songs, and claimed No. 1 in Amazon’s Best Sellers in Pop. This success underscores Dimash Kudaibergen’s growing influence beyond Kazakhstan and rising prominence in the international music industry. Dimash Kudaibergen is a Kazakh singer renowned for his extraordinary six-octave vocal range. He first gained international recognition after winning Slavic Bazaar (2015) and later became a finalist on the Chinese talent show Singer (2017). His musical style blends elements of neoclassical, pop, and traditional Kazakh folk. He has performed on prestigious stages worldwide, including the Kremlin Palace, Barclays Center, and Meridian Hall in Toronto. In 2019, he won the MTV Global Chinese Music Awards, and in 2021, he was named Asian Musician of the Year by the Top Chinese Music Awards. Kudaibergen also took part in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics.