UNESCO Celebrates 100 Years of Kazakh Maestro with Spectacular Concert

UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris has hosted a magnificent concert titled Melodies of the Century: Tribute to Tlendiyev, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the renowned Kazakh musician, conductor, and composer Nurgissa Tlendiyev.

The event was held following UNESCO’s General Conference decision to officially include Tlendiyev’s centennial among its commemorative dates for 2024-2025, acknowledging his exceptional contributions to both Kazakhstan’s cultural heritage and the global artistic community, The Caspian Post informs via Kazakh media.

The concert attracted distinguished guests, including Kazakh Culture and Information Minister Aida Balayeva, ambassadors and diplomats from UNESCO member states, representatives of the UNESCO Secretariat, and members of Kazakhstan’s diaspora living in France.

Jointly organized by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information and the country’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, the event celebrated the strong and enduring partnership between Kazakhstan and the international organization.

In her remarks, Minister Balayeva emphasized the significance of UNESCO’s recognition of Kazakh music and arts. “This honor reflects the deep ties between Kazakhstan and UNESCO. Music transcends borders, bridging distances and uniting hearts. Nurgissa Tlendiyev’s compositions not only capture the spiritual essence of the Kazakh people but also resonate with universal human values, making them timeless masterpieces,” she said.

Kazakhstan’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Askar Abdrakhmanov, highlighted Tlendiyev’s unique ability to blend ancient Kazakh melodies with modern musical forms, creating an innovative and deeply rooted artistic language.

The celebration of Tlendiyev’s legacy continues beyond Paris, as a similar concert honoring the composer’s 100th anniversary was recently held at Moscow’s Helikon-Opera Theatre, further underscoring his enduring influence.