In today’s international system, culture is becoming an increasingly decisive factor in the global visibility of countries. States stand out not only for their economic and military power but also for their capacity to promote their cultural values to the international public. In this context, intangible cultural heritage elements are considered one of the important tools that not only preserve national identity and ensure cultural continuity but also strengthen the soft power capacity of states.
The history of the dombra extends back to the Turkish nomadic culture that took shape in the steppes of Central Asia. With its two-stringed structure, this instrument has been used for centuries not merely for performing music in Kazakh society, but as an important means of transmitting historical events, heroic epics, folk tales, and collective memory to future generations. Especially thru instrumental pieces called “küy,” wars, migrations, social events, and important figures have been preserved thru music. This situation has transformed the dombra from merely an artistic element into a carrier of the collective memory of Kazakh society. The international recognition of this cultural value was further strengthened in 2014 when the dombra music art was included in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.[i]
After gaining independence, Kazakhstan has placed special importance on cultural policies aimed at the reconstruction of national identity. At this stage, historical symbols, traditional arts, and national cultural elements have become fundamental components of state policies. In his remarks on National Dombra Day, President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev emphasized that the dombra is one of the sacred values of the Kazakh people and should become a cultural brand of Kazakhstan worldwide. This highlights that cultural heritage is not only an element representing the past but is also seen as part of the national development strategy for the future.[ii]
The events held as part of National Dombra Day highlight the societal response to this cultural policy. In 2026, it is planned to organize more than two thousand concerts, festivals, exhibitions, conferences, competitions, museum events, and educational programs across the country. The celebrations, which are expected to be attended by approximately two million people, have not been limited to just the big cities; they have spread across the entire country, including districts, villages, and local cultural centers.[iii] Additionally, encouraging citizens to share content on social media with the hashtag #dombrakuni aims to reach a wider audience with traditional culture thru digital platforms. Thus, a new relationship is being established between the preservation of cultural heritage and digital cultural diplomacy.
One of the notable aspects of National Dombra Day is the active participation of younger generations in this process. In the Turkistan region, hundreds of young musicians simultaneously perform the works of Kurmangazy, one of Kazakhstan’s most famous dombra virtuosos and composers, and dombra competitions held in honor of the anniversary of Dina Nurpeisova, one of Kazakhstan’s most important female dombra artists, support the transmission of traditional music culture to younger generations thru education.[iv] Experts in the field of art emphasize that mass performances alone are not sufficient, and that in addition to concerts, conferences, seminars, and academic events should also be organized, drawing attention to the importance of consciously preserving cultural heritage.
The dombra has become one of the most important tools of Kazakhstan’s cultural diplomacy today. One of the significant examples of this is the “Dombyra Party” event organized by the Kazakh Cultural Center in Beijing. In this event, young Kazakh and Chinese artists shared the same stage, and the dombra performances by Chinese children demonstrated the development of cultural interaction between the two countries. The organization, carried out with the participation of the Kazakh diaspora, is an important public diplomacy activity in terms of strengthening cultural relations and enhancing inter-people dialog. The plan of the Beijing Kazakh Cultural Center to institutionalize this event can be considered an important step toward the continuity of cultural diplomacy.[v] Today, the dombra is not just a traditional musical instrument; it has also become a strategic cultural element that supports Kazakhstan’s cultural diplomacy, strengthens the state’s international image, and contributes to the national branding process.
Similarly, the special broadcasts by two radio channels in Belgium for National Dombra Day are among the significant developments that enhance the visibility of Kazakh culture in Europe. In the broadcasts, the dombra was introduced, Kazakh congratulatory messages were shared, and the works of the world-renowned artist Dimash Kudaibergen were featured. In addition, providing Belgian listeners with information about the Kazakh language and culture demonstrates that cultural diplomacy can be conducted not only thru official institutions but also thru media, artists, and civil society actors. In this respect, the dombra is evolving into an effective element of soft power that contributes to Kazakhstan’s positive state image in the international public sphere.[vi]
National Dombra Day stands out as one of the most visible implementations of Kazakhstan’s cultural heritage preservation policies. The historical background of the dombra, its cultural value recognized by UNESCO, and its symbolic significance in terms of national identity have elevated this instrument from being merely a traditional musical tool to the center of the country’s cultural policies. The comprehensive celebrations held in 2026 demonstrate that the inclusion of digital platforms has added new dimensions to cultural transmission while increasing the participation of younger generations in the cultural heritage. In addition, the events held in China and Belgium demonstrate that Kazakhstan’s cultural diplomacy activities are expanding their boundaries and that the dombra has become an important soft power element strengthening the country’s international brand value. Therefore, National Dombra Day can be considered a multidimensional public diplomacy tool of strategic importance, beyond merely being a cultural celebration, in terms of preserving national identity, ensuring the sustainability of cultural heritage, and enhancing Kazakhstan’s international visibility.
[i] “Dombra Day Celebrates Kazakhstan’s Living Musical Heritage”, The Astana Times, https://astanatimes.com/2026/07/dombra-day-celebrates-kazakhstans-living-musical-heritage/, (Date Accessed: 09.07.2026).
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] Ibid.
[v] “National Dombra Day celebrated in Beijing”, Kazinform,https://qazinform.com/news/national-dombra-day-celebrated-in-beijing-ee830c,(Date Accessed: 09.07.2026).
[vi] “Belgian Radio Stations Celebrate National Dombra Day with Broadcasts About Kazakhstan and Dimash”, Dimashnews, https://en.dimashnews.com/belgian-radio-stations-celebrate-national-dombra-day-with-broadcasts-about-kazakhstan-and-dimash/, (Date Accessed: 09.07.2026).
