The State Academic Concert Organization “Kazakhconcert” named after Rosa Baglanova hosted the concert “Bizdin Zharmenka – Zhyr-Dastan,” dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Honored Worker, zhyrau, and folklore researcher Almas Almatov, reports Elordainfo.kz with reference to the Culture Committee of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

As part of the event, the jubilarian received a congratulatory letter from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva. The message highlighted Almas Almatov’s significant contribution to the development of national culture, the promotion of the art of zhyr-terme, the academic study of Kazakh epic heritage, and the transmission of the zhyrau tradition to younger generations.

“Your contribution to the promotion of national art and the revival of the zhyr-terme tradition is highly significant. You represent Kazakh zhyr with dignity on the world stage, strengthening the position of national art within the cultural heritage space,” the letter stated.

Almas Almatov is widely known as a performer and researcher of traditional art. Over the years, he has represented Kazakh spiritual heritage in France, Italy, Switzerland, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia, and participated in international folklore tours and music symposia of Asian nations.

The anniversary program brought together zhyr-dastan, terme, and tolgau traditions. Special emphasis was placed on generational continuity: Almas Almatov performed “Zhyr Bastau,” while his students from different years presented the continuation of the zhyrau school.