Today marks the 120th anniversary of the birth of Akhmet Kuanuly Zhubanov — the founder of Kazakh professional musical art, People’s Artist of the Kazakh SSR, Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR, outstanding composer, conductor, and scholar.
At the initiative of Akhmet Kuanuly, the Kazakh Folk Instruments Orchestra was established, ushering in a new era of national performing arts. This historic step opened broad opportunities for the development of Kazakh music and laid the foundation for the formation of a professional musical school.
One of the first events held within the framework of the year was the concert “Ghasyrlar Pernesi” (“Strings of the Centuries”), with which Kazakh National Orchestra of Folk Instruments named after Kurmangazy was among the first to open the commemorative program. Dedicated to the life and творчество of the great figure, this musical project became an important initiative in honoring and preserving Akhmet Zhubanov’s legacy.
Medet Yermekkaliuly Kuanyshev, Director of the Kazakh National Orchestra of Folk Instruments named after Kurmangazy, took part in the plenary session of the international scientific-practical conference “Akhmet Zhubanov and Musicology in the Modern Era,” organized by the M. Auezov Institute of Literature and Art, where he delivered a congratulatory address.
The address emphasized that Akhmet Zhubanov is an outstanding figure standing at the pinnacle of the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Kazakh people, and highlighted his historic contribution as the founder, first artistic director, and conductor of the Kazakh National Orchestra of Folk Instruments named after Kurmangazy. It was also noted that the national orchestra’s opening of the jubilee concert season as one of the first participants was a vivid expression of profound respect for the immeasurable legacy and invaluable contributions of the great teacher of the nation.
Today, the first national orchestra in the history of the nation — the Kazakh National Orchestra of Folk Instruments named after Kurmangazy — continues to serve national ideals as the rightful successor to this meaningful tradition.
As part of the conference, a chamber ensemble of the national orchestra performed masterpieces of Kazakh music. This performance enriched the spiritual atmosphere of the scientific gathering and clearly demonstrated the enduring vitality of the creative school established by Akhmet Zhubanov.
On this commemorative day, the orchestra’s collective also visited Akhmet Zhubanov’s burial site, laid flowers, recited prayers from the Quran, and paid tribute to the spirit of the great figure. This was not only an act of honoring a historic personality, but also a symbol of fidelity to spiritual continuity and deep respect for national art.
