A ceremonial opening of the exhibition "Sources of Inspiration: The Legacy of Nurgisa Tlendiyev" took place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, marking the centenary of one of the greatest composers of the 20th century.

The exhibition serves as international recognition of Nurgisa Tlendiyev — composer, conductor, Khalyk Kakharmany (People’s Hero), and a living legend of Kazakh music, whose name is permanently inscribed in the Golden Fund not only of Kazakh but also of world culture. The year 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of his birth, a milestone included in UNESCO’s Calendar of Anniversaries of Notable Events and Figures.

The exhibition showcases approximately 70 unique items from the collections of the Almaty Museum Union, including rare manuscripts, musical scores, personal belongings, and the legendary Dariga dombra — a symbolic gift presented to the composer by Akhmet Zhubanov, the first to recognize the young Tlendiyev’s musical talent and advise his mother to send him to a music school. The exhibition is structured into six thematic sections, each exploring a distinct aspect of his cultural legacy — from his sources of inspiration to the broader context of Kazakh musical traditions.

Among the guests at the opening ceremony were ambassadors and diplomats from UNESCO member states, representatives of the UNESCO Secretariat, Paris residents and visitors, as well as members of the Kazakh diaspora in France. In his remarks, Kazakhstan’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Askar Abdrakhmanov, emphasized that this event is not only a tribute to a great master but also a testament to the enduring tradition of Kazakh and Turkic music, which continues to evolve in part thanks to the legacy he left behind.

The exhibition is organized by the Almaty Museum Union with the support of the Almaty Akimat, the Permanent Delegation of Kazakhstan to UNESCO in Paris, and the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation. The project aims to promote the musical heritage of the Kazakh people on the international stage and offers a rare opportunity to engage with the creative work of the legendary founder of the Otyrar Sazy orchestra.

Nurgisa Tlendiyev stands as one of the most prominent figures in Kazakh musical culture, having composed more than 500 works that form part of the golden repertoire of national art. He created music for over 50 dramatic productions and approximately 20 feature films. Over the course of his career, Tlendiyev served as Chief Conductor of the Abai Kazakh State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Kurmangazy Kazakh State Academic Folk Instruments Orchestra, and the Otyrar Sazy Folk Instruments Orchestra, which he founded himself.

The exhibition is open to the public at UNESCO Headquarters until 19 June 2025.