Dimash Qudaibergen, a prominent Kazakh singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, gave an interview to Renmin Ribao, one of China’s most influential newspapers. In the short video interview, he shared his thoughts on the friendship between Central Asia and China, as well as the power of music.
«I was born in Kazakhstan into a musical family and grew up surrounded by songs. However, I could never have imagined that one day my voice would pass through snowy mountains and vast steppes to reach China,» Dimash said, as reported on his official website.
Dimash has learned Chinese songs and performs regularly on Chinese shows. He believes that, through his music, he helps listeners gain a better understanding of Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
«Some people call me a ‘cultural ambassador,’ but I’m just a guy born in the 1990s who loves to sing,» he said.
«If my songs help our Chinese friends learn more about Kazakhstan and Central Asia, and bring Central Asian people closer to Chinese culture, that would be the happiest thing for me,» he added.
Dimash also mentioned Xian Xinghai Street in Almaty, named after the renowned Chinese composer who once lived in the city, as a symbol of cultural exchange between the two countries. He expressed hope to continue «connecting the hearts of the peoples of Central Asia and China» through his songs.
Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Kazakhstan from June 16 to 17 at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. On June 18, Astana hosted the second China–Central Asia Summit, attended by the heads of state from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. As part of the summit’s gala evening, Dimash Qudaibergen performed as a cultural representative of the host country, presenting one of the most lyrical songs from his Chinese-language repertoire.
The singer also shared memories of his first meeting with President Xi during the show Idei Menyayut (Ideas Change the World), filmed at Nazarbayev University. According to dimashnews.com, the meeting took place in 2017, when Dimash performed at a special event in Astana during Xi’s visit.
