Kazakhstan’s Cultural Spirit Takes Center Stage in Switzerland

A vibrant concert celebrating Kazakhstan’s cultural heritage was held in the city of Lugano, the economic and cultural hub of Switzerland’s Italian-speaking canton.

The event featured a performance by Kazakhstan’s People’s Artist Aigul Kosanova and was dedicated to National Dombra Day and the 180th anniversary of the birth of renowned Kazakh poet and philosopher Abai Kunanbaiuly, The Caspian Post reports per Kazakh media.

Supported by the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, the concert attracted an audience of diplomats, government officials, academics, business leaders, and cultural figures.

In his opening remarks, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Switzerland, Kairat Sarzhanov, spoke of the deep cultural symbolism of the dombra, calling it “an integral symbol of the historical memory, spiritual strength, and national identity of the Kazakh people.” He also paid tribute to Abai’s lasting influence, emphasizing his role in shaping Kazakh spiritual and intellectual life.

Kosanova captivated the audience with a rich and moving program, blending virtuosic dombra performances with emotive vocal renditions of Abai’s works. Her performance offered the audience an immersive experience of Kazakhstan’s unique cultural traditions.

The event served not only as a tribute to national heritage but also as a testament to the strengthening cultural ties between Kazakhstan and Switzerland. It echoed the spirit of the 2016 Memorandum of Cooperation signed between Almaty and Lugano, aimed at fostering collaboration in various spheres.

The concert was part of broader international efforts to honor Abai’s 180th anniversary, which also include the unveiling of a commemorative mural in Petropavlovsk, North Kazakhstan.