Kazakh composer Nurgisa Tilendiyev's 100th anniversary marked in Türkiye
With a special event organised at TURKSOY Headquarters in Ankara, Nurgisa Tilendiyev, the great composer, conductor, folk singer and dombra master of Kazakhstan was commemorated on the 100th anniversary of his birthday, the press service of TURKSOY reported.
The event featured an exhibition, a concert and a panel discussion introducing works by Tilendiyev whose legacy is a cornerstone of the cultural and artistic heritage of the Turkic World.
The event gathered the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Ankara H.E. Mr. Yerkebulan Sapiyev, the Secretary General of TURKSOY Sultan Raev, the Rector of the Ankara University of Music and Fine Arts Prof. Dr. Erhan Özden and Ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.
The event started with a concert of the Ankara Turkic World Music Ensemble of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye. Under Maestro Cem Gürdal, the ensemble performed Nurgisa Tilendiyev's ‘Köş Keruen’ and Nurtugan's ‘Kanikey Tilim Söyleşi’. After the opening speeches, artists from Kazakhstan also performed Tilendiyev's works.
Following the screening of a documentary on Tilendiyev's musical heritage, Akan Abdualiyev, the Director of the Kazakh State Academic Philharmony named after Jambıl Jabayev and Nurmuha Shaymerdenov, the Research Expert of the Nurgisa Tilendiyev Memorial and Promotion Fund Museum of Kazakhstan, spoke about the artist's impact on the world of music.
In his speech, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev emphasised that Tilendiyev is a great man of art not only for Kazakhstan but also for the entire Turkic World. ‘Tilendiyev's works are a powerful cultural heritage reflecting the common memory and identity of our peoples. His music echoes the voice and spirit of not only Kazakhstan but also the entire Turkic World.’
Mr. Raev stated that preserving the legacy of great artists of the Turkic World and keeping it alive plays an essential role in strengthening cultural unity and added:
‘We have come together here not only to remember the past. Indeed, artists like Tilendiyev are still alive and will continue to live with their works. Tilendiyev's music reflects the freedom of the Kazakh steppes, the spirit of unity and common feelings of the Turkic peoples. Therefore, keeping his legacy alive is a high responsibility not only for the Kazak people but also for the entire Turkic world.’
Raev also announced that TURKSOY will organise more events to promote and preserve Tilendiyev's works in different parts of the Turkic World.
Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Ankara H. E. Mr. Yerkebulan Sapiyev stated that Tilendiyev was a great artist whose works reflect the spirit, history and struggle of the Kazakh people.
‘His works are a source of inspiration not only for the Kazakh people but also for the entire Turkic world. These works should be passed down from one generation to the next,' he said.
The Rector of the Ankara University of Music and Fine Arts Mr. Erhan Özden emphasised that music strengthens the cultural bond between nations and said: ‘Tilendiyev's works are a heritage that reflects the common feelings of the entire Turkic World as well as the spirit of the Kazakh people. It is the responsibility of all of us to transfer this heritage to young generations.’
At the event, Arsen Tursyn from Kazakhstan, a member of the Otryrar Sazy Academic Folklore and Ethnography Orchestra, performed Tilendiyev's ‘Alkisa’ and ‘Akku’ on the dombra. In addition, Kazakh students studying in Türkiye also gave a performance.
Within the scope of the event, it was announced that various concerts and exhibitions will be organised throughout Türkiye to promote the artist's works and musical heritage.
On February 28, Kazakhstan marked the 179th anniversary of outstanding Kazakh poet and improviser, Zhambyl Zhabayev.