On September 5, 2026, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the State Academic Concert Organization “Qazaqconcert” named after Roza Baglanova officially opened its 66th concert season. This year’s season opening was dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the birth of two outstanding representatives of Kazakh professional music — composers Akhmet Zhubanov and Latif Khamidi.

The opening concert featured a rich programme bringing together national music, opera, traditional songs and kuis, as well as classical and popular music. The concert opened with the “Dance Suite” from Akhmet Zhubanov’s opera “Abai”, performed by the Kazakh State Symphony Orchestra. The programme also included a medley of Kazakh operas and such well-known compositions as “Altyn Arqa,” “An Shashu,” “Zaman,” “Saryarka,” “Karlygash,” and others.

The festive evening was attended by representatives of the leadership of the Culture Committee of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Artists from the Almaty branch of “Qazaqconcert” travelled to Astana especially for the concert, including People’s Artist of Kazakhstan, Laureate of the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and People’s Artist of Kyrgyzstan Altynbek Korazbayev; Honored Artist of Kazakhstan Aizhan Nurgamagambetova; and Honored Worker of Kazakhstan Zhanna Orynbasarova.

The stage also featured Honored Workers of Kazakhstan Medet Chotabayev, Serik Yerkimbekov, Aigul Yelshibayeva, Yerbolat Shaldybekov, Nurbolat Arzamas, and Aizat Karabek; Order of “Kurmet” recipient Aizada Kaponova; Laureates of the “Daryn” State Youth Prize Azat Malik and Askar Mukiyat; “For Distinguished Labor” Medal recipient Altynshash Mukatayeva; Honored Culture Worker Perizat Turar; international competition laureates Talgat Allabirinov, Ibrahim Amin, Nursеzim Samatkyzy, Birzhan Aitakhmet, Yerbol Tazhibayev, and Meruert Zheldibayeva; as well as Nuray Sheru and other performers.

The programme featured the Kazakh State Symphony Orchestra, the “Astana Sazy” Kazakh State Folklore Ensemble, the “Halyk Kazynasy” National Arts Centre, the G-band group, and the “Birlik” Dance Ensemble. The concert concluded with Eskendir Khasangaliyev’s song “Ademi-au,” performed by all participants. At the end of the evening, flowers were presented on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The opening of the concert season dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Akhmet Zhubanov and Latif Khamidi became a vibrant and meaningful event that brought together tradition and modernity, national heritage and contemporary stage culture. The heartfelt songs and powerful sound of the symphony orchestra created a special atmosphere for the audience and revealed new facets of the rich heritage of Kazakh music.

The upcoming 66th concert season will feature large-scale concerts and new projects spanning traditional music, popular music, classical music, and theatre. The season will include anniversary evenings dedicated to the 180th anniversary of Zhambyl Zhabayev, the 165th anniversary of Dina Nurpeisova, and the 120th anniversaries of Akhmet Zhubanov and Latif Khamidi. In addition, a concert programme entitled “Bizdin Zharmenke” will be held to celebrate Republic Day, while the “Astana Musical” State Theatre will present premieres of two new productions.

The “Halyk Kazynasy” National Arts Centre will launch a new series of concert programmes aimed at promoting traditional songs, kuis, zhyrs, and dastans characteristic of different regions of Kazakhstan. The second half of the 66th concert season will also feature subscription concerts by the Kazakh State Symphony Orchestra, dedicated to masterpieces of world music and designed specifically for young audiences.