The dombra duo of Temirlan Olzhabay and Yernat Nauryz captivated the audience with their renditions of Kazakh folk music at the international art festival and contest 2023 Open Italy in Pesaro, QazMonitor reports citing TengriLife.
The duo performed a medley of Kazakh kuis, which found both audience and jury acclaim, as the players won first place in the folklore instruments category. Olzhabay and Nauryz performed works of some of the most renowned composers in Kazakhstan's history, including Alkissa and Balamishka by Nurgisa Tlendiyev, Kurmangazy’s Aday, and Korogly by Dauletkerey.
"We have previously participated in various international competitions and won prizes. In this competition, we participated in the folklore instruments category, where representatives from other countries showcased their national instruments and performed their traditional music. In total, participants from 24 countries showcased their talents,” shared Nauryz.
The duo has traveled extensively throughout the world, winning contests in the USA, Spain, the UK, and Turkiye, and during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, they were also selected as the ambassadors of Kazakh culture.