On April 23, the 12th and final episode of the first season of Voice Beyond Horizon aired. The project was founded and executive produced by People’s Artist of Kazakhstan Dimash Qudaibergen.

The grand finale opened with a performance by the show’s musical expert, renowned Chinese singer Cai Guoqing, who performed 365 Blessings (“三百六十五个祝福”).

China’s national treasure La Danzhu and traditional-style vocalist Zhang Xiyun brought to the stage the inspiration they gained from their journey to the Pink Lake. In their majestic performance of Phoenix (“凤皇仪”), they rose like the mythical bird reborn from fire, sharing their energy with the audience.

Young Malaysian vocalist Li Peiling and Serbia’s “Prince of Love Songs” delivered a newly arranged version of Love Will Never Die, adding a chorus in Chinese. Having formed a close friendship during filming while traveling together through sunflower fields and along the shores of the Caspian Sea, the two artists used their duet to realize their musical dreams and express their emotions to the world.

Reuniting as a duet, Nur Cholpon and Julia Falcone chose the iconic Italian song Torna a Surriento (“Return to Sorrento”). The performers shared that they were sad to part ways with the project and hoped to return to Kazakhstan, as well as meet again in the future in Italy and Kyrgyzstan.

The voices of Kazakhstan’s Nurzhas Sadyrbaev and China’s Cai Chengyu intertwined in the emotionally powerful song I Wait (“我期待”), transcending mountains and rivers. The artists said the song was not a farewell, but a promise of meeting again.

“I saw absolutely no sense of competition between these two singers. They supported and inspired one another. This quality is rare in any profession. It reflects generosity of spirit and great wisdom. If you had tried to outdo each other, both of you had every chance to succeed. But instead, you chose to elevate art through respect, raise culture through friendship, and unite in a shared direction. Thank you for such a wonderful performance,” said executive producer Dimash Qudaibergen, commenting on the duet by Nurzhas and Cai.

Before the results were announced, the audience beneath the arches of Nazarbayev University welcomed special guest Nouran Aboutolib of Egypt, who took part in recording the official theme song of the UN World Food Forum. She performed Miracle (“آية إعجاز”).

Chairman of the Tourism Industry Committee of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports Nurtas Karipayev read a congratulatory message from Minister Yerbol Myrzabossynov, noting that the project had brought nations closer through art, paved the way for stronger friendship, and deepened mutual understanding. The minister also expressed special gratitude for enhancing the country’s reputation, as the show was filmed in Kazakhstan’s most scenic and culturally significant locations.

The three contestants who earned the highest scores across eight concerts were awarded the title Star of Glory. Third place went to Malaysia’s Li Peiling, second place to China’s Cai Chengyu, and the winner of the project was Kazakhstan’s Nurzhas Sadyrbaev.

The concert concluded with the Qudaibergen brothers. Founder of Voice Beyond Horizon, Dimash Qudaibergen performed his original song When I’ve Got You, combining his powerful vocals with the force of an electric guitar played by young instrumentalist Mansur Qudaibergen. It was a brilliant and breathtaking finale to the project — or perhaps not a full stop, but an ellipsis, leaving audiences waiting for what comes next.

“I want to tell everyone: this journey will not end here. It will allow the great voice of the Silk Road to move forward from the stage of Astana toward even more distant horizons.”
— Dimash Qudaibergen