On February 15, the Chinese television channel BRTV aired an episode of the project 最美中轴线 Singing for the Central Axis of Beijing, featuring Dimash Qudaibergen and Chinese singer Gong Linna.

The program was recorded at the end of 2024, and DimashNews previously reported on the artists’ visit to the Temple of Earth in Beijing and the Zhengyici Peking Opera Theatre.

At the finale of their intercultural journey, Dimash and Gong Linna presented a unique vocal experiment—merging two songs in Chinese and Kazakh: Phoenix and Karatorgai.

Accompanied by the Kazakh traditional instrument qobyz and the Chinese sheng (mouth organ), woven into the rhythmic foundation of the tangu drums, the artists brought to life legendary stories from their homelands.

Phoenix (凤皇)

A song from Gong Linna’s repertoire, Phoenix is based on ancient Chinese texts and tells the story of the Phoenix Emperor.

According to legend, in ancient times, the Phoenix Emperor traveled 500 miles from a mountain in present-day Myanmar to the Cave Dan mountain, where a bird with multicolored feathers and mysterious inscriptions resided. The ancient people called this bird Feng Huang and revered it as the King of Birds.

As the King of Birds, Feng Huang usually remained far from human settlements, peacefully dwelling in the mountains, singing and dancing to its own rhythm. However, when it descended to Earth, it was believed to bring peace and favorable weather, ending droughts.

The Dance of the Phoenix Emperor, where he moves with a feathered crown, was a ritual dedicated to the stars. Thus, since ancient times, Feng Huang has been venerated as a symbol of peace, prosperity, and divine beauty.

From the crimson caves of Mount Danxue, a bird soars into the sky.
Its name is Phoenix.
Five colors interweave in its feathers.
“Benevolence” is inscribed on its forehead, “Justice” on its wings, “Piety” on its back.
“Compassion” shines on its chest, and “Faith” marks its belly.
Benevolence, justice, piety, compassion, faith.
From the crimson caves of Mount Danxue, a bird takes flight, singing and dancing.
Five colors interweave in its feathers—its name is Phoenix.

The Phoenix, alongside the Dragon, is one of the spiritual totems of the Chinese people.

The legendary bird is described as having the head of a rooster, the throat of a swallow, the neck of a snake, the back of a turtle, the tail of a fish, and patterns on its body resembling a dragon.

The Chinese word for “Phoenix” (凤凰) consists of two characters: 凤 (masculine) and 凰 (feminine). In Chinese tradition, phrases containing these characters are often used as blessings for a harmonious and happy marriage.

Karatorgai (Қараторғай)

In Kazakh, Қараторғай translates to “black sparrow.” In zoological classification, it refers to the common starling, a bird from the passerine order. However, the song Karatorgai, written by the Kazakh poet and composer Akan Seri, is actually about a golden eagle, which he raised from a young chick, giving it this affectionate nickname.

Akan Seri, renowned for his deep understanding of animals, could easily recognize the finest horses, hounds, and birds. Upon seeing a golden eagle chick in the home of the warrior Alibek Batyr, he asked to take it in.

For many years, Karatorgai hunted skillfully, but as it aged, it grew weak. The feathers on its tail, which once allowed it to land gracefully, began to thin, making it difficult to descend. Again and again, the eagle took flight, circling in the sky, but with each attempt to land, exhaustion overcame it. Karatorgai had grown old, shriveled, and became as small as a sparrow…

Karatorgai flies, spreading its wings,
Pearls glistening beneath them.
My love, we grew up together—
Why have I lost you?

Karatorgai,
You fly with difficulty,
Chirping, poor thing,
Unable to land.

Beyond the Irtysh, there lies a deep ravine,
Where a chestnut yearling drags a silk lasso.
Perched on a tree branch,
At dawn, Karatorgai sings.