"I want to pave the way for young Kazakh people. That's my ultimate goal": what else Dimash Qudaibergen said in his interview at the New Vision forum

In a passionate, yet informative interview at the New Vision Forum in Almaty, internationally acclaimed Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen emphasized the profound role of performers and cultural figures in promoting peace and unity across the globe. He underscored the unique impact of Kazakh culture, the universal language of music, and his personal commitment to fostering global harmony through his art, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports from the event.

DImash
Photo credit: Yersultan Akhtanov/ Kazinform

What do you think is the role of a performer in this world?

As a matter of fact, when it comes to this day and age and this world that we live in, I think that the role of culture, arts and poetry is very special and I think that the role of Kazakh culture should not be underestimated, because Kazakh people are very talented. As Abai used to say, “not every gold is shiny, so cultivate your true talent, cultivate something that is useful to the world”. That’s what I’m trying to do, I’m trying to be useful and follow his creed. When I perform every single time, I try to be useful, I try to be my best, I try to deliver this mission to follow my creed, to do my best. I thank everyone for this opportunity - my parents, my country, god, my brothers and sisters. Everyone that’s supporting me and my team. Of course, this is very special and particularly I have tremendous fans and I appreciate it very much. What I want to do is make sure that people through inspiration, art can be friends and cultivate peace and prosperity and kindness around the world. That’s what I’m trying to promote.

Dimash
Photo credit: Yersultan Akhtanov/ Kazinform

How do you think music contributes to peace around the world?

Let me ask the audience here - what do you think which language is the most spoken in the world? Some might say Chinese, English, Russian. As the matter of fact, it’s the language of music. Of course, that is the most popular language in the world. Not English, not Russian, not Kazakh. Music is about emotional impact. It plays a tremendous role when it comes to aesthetically bringing up a person, making you better, it cultivates and brings out best in every person. That’s what it’s all about and you can use this music as a way of communication, that is something that should be weaponized. Music is something very special and this is our spiritual food. It’s not just about money, but also other forms of wealth and this is true wealth, no matter how you slice it and dice it. That is all about artists - if not directly or indirectly they are promoters contributing to value that brings up new generation, shaping new generation. I can feel this tremendous support and I’m so happy and grateful to everyone who shares my way of life.

Every concert, every time I perform we track numbers and, and, as a matter of fact, the latest numbers actually show that my latest performance had viewers from 80 different countries. One stadium, one room, 80 countries, different cultures, different walks of life. So, to me this giant room full of so many different people is absolutely something amazing like a giant family. It’s a very special feeling and I’m grateful to God that he gave me this opportunity to bring people together, to promote love, togetherness. I can feel so many prayers, I feel all this support around the world and I’m so, so happy.

What does it mean to be a patriot, to love your country and how does it impact your lyrics and your art?

If I may, I want to be philosophical about it. American philosopher and writer Thomas Paine said, “Land is my mother, all my brothers and sisters everywhere”. Honestly, I don’t want to divide nations, I love my mankind, my country and I don’t want to split humanity into religions and countries. We’re all together, we’re all human beings, it’s very important, we’re people of Kazakhstan. I believe that everyone should take responsibility for their own actions, be kind and nice towards family, friends. I think that’s the way forward, that’s how you can truly be prosperous and successful. I’m sure that what we need to pass on to future generations, show that we are ready for this incredible future, because there has to be a legacy of good things. Patriotism doesn’t mean Nazism, because this is people aiming very low, people like that are narrow minded and strive towards extreme ideologies.

Dimash
Photo credit: Yersultan Akhtanov/ Kazinform

I have been around the world, I’ve seen so many countries and so many great people and these people coming to me don’t really care about politics so much, they’re not political kind of people that want to be politically active. So for example, I’m Kazakh and they can be from other country, which doesn’t matter. What matters is who you are and what kind of a person you are, there has to be spiritual exchange between the people. That is what we should be ready for aiming towards, we need peace around the world, we need to be respectful of the nation and of your people and country. Also, I want to stress that your mother tongue is your most important language, speak other languages, but never forget your mother tongue, because it’s special.

Sultanmahmut Toraighyrov wrote, “I love my country and I love language, because this language which came to me with my mother’s milk, came to me from my ancestors, this came to me from birth, that’s why my first language came to me from my mother, that’s why it’s my mother tongue”. Our ancestors have given us tremendous legacy and we should be very mindful of this legacy, we should be very mindful of the spatial wealth and also open to the rest of the world at the same time.

What are the things that you do to help Kazakhstan develop?

Dimash
Photo credit: Yersultan Akhtanov/ Kazinform

I will be much more involved in promoting Kazakhstan on the cultural stage. Sometimes things change very quickly and it’s up to Allah and what he decides. We can have our wishes, but, god willing, if I’m famous and if I have that chance, I want to make sure I can use that and help all young people of Kazakhstan. I want to be their agent, pave the way, because I do understand that my fame is not forever, its temporary. So I want to take advantage of this opportunity and do everything I can for the Kazakh people. My ultimate goal is to give my most to the people of Kazakhstan, since I was born here. For 25 years I’ve been studying music. I started when I was 5 and this year I’m going to do my PhD. I’m doing a thesis in music. I’ve always wanted to be big in the world of music and I want to pass my experience to other people who want to be famous musicians and that’s my project.

After speaking about his childhood, Dimash shared with the audience a documentary video of his life with his song ‘OMIR’.

Dimash
Photo credit: Yersultan Akhtanov/ Kazinform

Are you also going to be a movie director and what kind of movie is it going to be?

I did it not because I have a talent for directing, but since very young age I always have been up to different songs and performances and I try to be very meticulous of what comes to building that picture. I always chose my songs, costumes for the concerts. I tried to be a producer and I produce myself. I always see my version of whatever lyrics offer me than I applied to my song. And, the same goes for singing, I have very specific requirements. If you want me to sing your song, I will only sing it the way I want.

Of course, I trust experts and professionals, but I always have my input. It’s very important for me and have been thinking about this since I was 25 years old, when I used to write, I used to think like a producer, a director. I’ve been carrying this project for 3 years, so I decided to do everything myself: write music, lyrics, direct it and my movie, The Story of Sky, was self-directed and done by me entirely.

After the Q&A session, Kazakhstan's biggest star, performed a total of 5 songs, which included his latest hit Stranger, as well as playing Adai on Kazakh national instrument, dombra, to finish up his mini-concert for New Vision 2024 participants.

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