23 May, Long before the concert began, crowds were already gathering near the Türk Telekom main stage at Atatürk Airport. That evening, as part of the 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival, the People’s Artist of Kazakhstan, Dimash Qudaibergen, took the stage.

Members of the artist’s Turkish fan club, fans who had traveled from abroad – easily recognizable in the bright T-shirts of various Dears communities, as well as many local spectators filled the square despite the chilly weather. And for good reason: from the very first notes, Dimash and his team ignited the atmosphere, opening the show with “Golden.”

High-energy tracks such as “Smoke,” “Give Me Love,” and “Weekend” alternated with the majestic “Olimpico,” “Stranger,” and “Ave Maria,” while “Love of Tired Swans” once again united fans in a perfectly synchronized choir.

Reflecting the festival’s traditional spirit, Dimash also included several songs in Kazakh in the concert program: “Unforgettable Day,” “Mahabbat Ber Magan,” “Tau Ishinde,” “Durdaraz,” and “Let It Be.”

Of course, traditional Kazakh folk instruments were also prominently featured throughout the evening – not only during the kui “Adai,” but in many other compositions as well – showcasing the dombra, kobyz, and sybyzgy as instruments of limitless expressive power and national pride.

The instrumental musicians added a dazzling touch to the concert with several featured performances of their own. The dombra duo “Temirlan & Ernat” performed “Bastau,” an MJ tribute, and “Alem.”

For the first time at a Dimash concert, Olzhas Kurmanbek and Sanzhai Almyshev also appeared with solo numbers. Olzhas performed his original kobyz composition “Elements” along with the soundtrack from Gladiator, while Sanzhai performed “Yapurai” on the sybyzgy.

The concert unfolded in an incredibly warm and heartfelt atmosphere. The audience enthusiastically sang along with Dimash and repeated his vocal improvisations in both Turkish and Kazakh. Several times throughout the evening, the artist stepped down from the stage to interact directly with the crowd.

The concert became not only a musical celebration, but a truly special shared moment for everyone present, because shortly after it ended, Kazakhstan time crossed into 24 May, and Dimash welcomed his 32nd birthday together with his fans.