― 20 февраля 2026 г.
Dimash: ‘One Voice – A Thousand Countries’ Exhibition Opens in Almaty
Hosted by the Association of City Museums of Almaty, the grand opening of the ‘One Voice – A Thousand Countries’ exhibition, featuring the personal collection of the Kazakh and Kyrgyz folk artist and world-famous performer Dimash Kudaibergen, took place on February 18th, 2026 at the Ykılas Museum of Tradional Music Instruments.
The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of Almaty's cultural and artistic community, intellectuals, members of the press, and Mrs. Nishankul Karatayeva, the Representative of Kazakhstan to the International Organisation of Turkic Culture TURKSOY.
The artist Dimash Kudaibergen personally attended the ceremony and inaugurated the exhibition featuring 70 musical instruments from his personal collection, including special items offered to him by fans from around the world. Dimash's stage costumes were also on display for visitors to admire. Among these, a stage costume specially designed for the artist by Goko Zaldi, the personal stylist of pop music legend Michael Jackson, attracted considerable attention.
The highlight of the exhibition was Dimash Kudaibergen's donation of two personal dombras to the museum’s collection. One of these is a dombra dating back to the artist’s childhood and offered to him by his grandfather; the other is an instrument bearing the artist's own signature. Both dombras have been officially added to the museum's collection.
Lazzat Kudaybergenkyzy, the Director of the Association of City Museums of Almaty, handed over an exact replica of the dombra belonging to the great Kazakh philosopher and composer Abay Kunanbayuli to the artist on behalf of the museum. This meaningful gesture became a powerful symbol of mutual respect for national values and spiritual bonds.
The artist's father, Kanat Aitbayev, Honoured Cultural Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan, artist and composer, emphasised that the exhibition was not merely a presentation of a personal collection, but also an important cultural project that glorified national art and brought together the musical heritage of peoples of the world in one place.
The artist's mother, Svetlana Aitbayeva, Honoured Cultural Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan and recipient of the ‘Kurmet’ Medal, stated that each instrument on display has its own unique story and expressed her gratitude to all the fans from different countries around the world who offered these valuable musical instruments.
The ‘Dimash: One Voice – A Thousand Countries’ exhibition is considered a comprehensive project showing that art knows no boundaries and has the power to unite cultures.
Offering visitors the opportunity to get to know the artist's creative world up close and to experience the rich heritage of traditional music instruments, the exhibition will be open to visitors for a month at the Ykılas Museum of Traditional Music Instruments located in Zenkov Street, 24a in Almaty.
