Dimash's Visions

Amanat

Part One

We have been in Astana for a few days now. Dimash has been working a lot, rehearsing and putting the finishing touches on the concert... He's been doing a lot of interviews too. But since we're in Kazakhstan, there's rarely a need for a translation, he's at home after all. This is his home.

I remember the day when Dimash told me why he had chosen Kazakhstan to live: for the possibility of experiencing the community as a cultural value, so that he could experience, since childhood, the pleasure of being loved by a huge family who always encouraged him and respected his wishes, his decisions.

On that day, he also spoke of how to connect with traditions and nature and live the values of Kazakh honor as humility, respect for the elderly and love for the young had been the elements that had shaped his sensitivity.

I feel like this is all important to him. Every time he plays the dombra, his heart lights up, I feel such pleasure and tenderness that it floods my soul... This country is very important to him. This country whose flag portrays two symbols of nature and the strength of these mountains that surround us... "You are my fortress, my amulet, my beloved, you are my land."

He is a patriot. But I'm not talking about this vague patriotism that comes from conservatism, from going back to the past with a way to keep everything as it is, which acts as if everything before was wonderful and which abhors social change, which believes that only your country deserves to be free. He values Kazakh culture and history and he dreams of integrating all social strata so that everybody could enjoy all that his country can offer. Dimash loves this country and honors all the suffering its people have gone through and how much they struggled to be what they are today. Just like me: I honor all the suffering and struggle of black peoples and indigenous peoples of my country. And we both dream that our countries can be truly independent and that our peoples are happy.

Since he was born, Dimash has always been focused on his mission: to bring that Kazakh sensibility and healing capacity of music and beauty to everyone. Who can forget that simple and kind boy in the TV show who said: "There are no limits to my dreams, however the main thing for me is that I want my people to have a good education. And when I grow up I want my country to be satisfied with what I will do in the future, by contributing to my country."

Today, Dimash Qudaibergen is one of the most respected Kazakhs in his land. He is like a great ambassador of Good Will, taking the name, values and image of Kazakhstan around the world. Through his music, Dimash places the Kazakh seed that blooms in every heart that hears him.

"And generations through time must do their duty." That's a big responsibility he took on. I often wonder if his mission even included that responsibility. I think not. I think he took on this burden out of love. Love for this land and for those people who welcomed him and who were the basis on which he built his mission.

Although I can't see him as often as when we're together trying to unravel some of our visions, this period has been very good for him and therefore for me... The rehearsals where he sings the songs on the album, the songs in Kazakh that touch your heart so much, all of this makes me feel a pleasure, a calm that is an incredible feeling, that is not from this world, but sees from this connection we have. Complementary.

Part Two

Бүркіт. Eagle...

Dimash decided to release his Kazakh album with two big performances: one on Thursday and one on Saturday at the 40,000-seat Astana Arena. All tickets have been sold. The proceeds from the first concert will all be donated to a Foundation that Dimash supports here in Kazakhstan and which proposes to carry out actions aimed at assisting disabled children and supporting the arts.