On September 29, Kazakhstan’s and Kyrgyzstan’s People’s Artist Dimash Qudaibergen hosted a press conference at the Kazmedia Center in Astana, dedicated to the launch of his new joint Kazakh–Chinese project Voice Beyond Horizon.

Filming of the international television project, co-produced by Dimash Qudaibergen and China’s Hunan Broadcasting System, took place across Kazakhstan throughout September 2025.
The press conference brought together: Advisor to the President of Kazakhstan Assel Zhanassova, People’s Artist of Kazakhstan Dimash Qudaibergen, Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan Bauyrzhan Rapikov, Chairman of the Board of RTRK Qazaqstan Yernur Burakhan, Acting Chairman of the Board of Kazakh Tourism Daniel Serzhanuly, Executive Producer of Voice Beyond Horizon from Hunan TV Wang Qin, and the project’s Producer and Chief Director Luo Xinxing.

Assel Zhanassova emphasized that the project began in the historic heart of the Great Silk Road – Turkestan, continued on the Caspian Sea coast and in the breathtaking landscapes of Bozzhyra, showcased the cultural gems of the Almaty region, and concluded in the country’s capital, Astana.

The production brought together artists from six countries – Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Italy, Malaysia, and Serbia. For several weeks, participants traveled across Kazakhstan, exploring its historical heritage, natural landscapes, and cultural traditions.

“This project is a true symbol of friendship between our nations. It lays the foundation for deeper humanitarian ties, cultural exchange, and people-to-people diplomacy,” noted Assel Zhanassova.

“This joint project is a unique opportunity to present Kazakhstan to an international audience. We see the development of our tourism sector as introducing our neighbors to the beauty of Kazakhstan through such programs. I would like to sincerely thank our compatriot Dimash Qudaibergen for his talent and contribution to promoting Kazakhstan on the world stage. This is one of the most important projects for us, as our Chinese partners play a significant role not only in business but also in the economy as a whole,”
– said Asel Zhanassova.

Dimash Qudaibergen expressed gratitude to the audience for their interest in a project designed to showcase the Great Steppe:

“I believe this project has achieved much of value in terms of promoting both culture and tourism. We have presented not only the vocal talents of the participants but also the beauty of Kazakhstan’s landmarks. I am confident that tourism development will make a significant contribution to our economy.”

When asked about the selection process for participants, Dimash explained that there were no strict age limits, though the concept of a “commercially viable age” was considered. However, the focus was primarily on the individuals themselves – their abilities, uniqueness, and genuine talent.

The panel of judges included renowned international figures alongside the audience. Two-time Grammy Award winner Walter Afanasieff joined the project at its opening in Turkestan.

Dimash chose not to reveal the detailed mechanics of selecting winners but shared that both he and the judges held equal voting power, while viewers were also able to support their favorite performers. The show will feature eight competition rounds, along with four special episodes dedicated to telling Kazakhstan’s story and showcasing the country’s tourism potential.

Acting Chairman of the Board of Kazakh Tourism Daniel Serzhanuly highlighted that the project, with its multimillion-strong audience, will provide significant opportunities to increase global interest in Kazakhstan’s tourism. The company also plans to develop a dedicated tourist route based on the show’s filming locations.

Producer and Chief Director of Voice Beyond Horizon from Hunan TV, Luo Xinxing, shared details about the filming process:

«Over the past 22 days, with the comprehensive support of various government institutions of Kazakhstan, our film crew has traveled thousands of kilometers and visited truly unique cities: we heard the historic echoes of ancient Turkestan, were inspired by the majestic landscapes of Aktau on the Caspian coast, felt the warmth of the ‘apple city’ Almaty, and witnessed the rapid development of the futuristic Astana. We captured invaluable footage and left heartfelt musical traces on this hospitable land.»

The Voice Beyond Horizon project was made possible thanks to the significant contribution of Kazakhstani companies: the metallurgical plant Qarmet, the holding Kazakhmys, AltynAlmas JSC, and the Nurlan Smagulov Foundation.