Throughout the year, within the framework of the project “Pearls of Kazakhstan - Sound of the Great Steppe” implemented by the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Austria, the Austrian audience had the opportunity to enjoy the works of famous musical groups from Kazakhstan and young performers from Kazakhstan studying at musical universities in Austria and Europe.

The final concert of the project took place on November 29 to celebrate the 28th Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the prestigious concert hall of Vienna - “Konzerthaus”.

The concert program included performances by the State Chamber Orchestra "Academy of Soloists" run by the chief conductor and “Merited Worker” of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Bakhytzhan Mussakhojayeva, as well as the folklore ensemble of the Kazakh National University of Arts - "Syrly Saz". The guests were presented with both the works of well-known Kazakh composers - Dauletkerei, Kurmangazy, N.Tlendiyev, and classic European composers - W.A.Mozart, J. Haydn, A.Vivaldi, D.Rossini.

Among the guests of the festive evening were representatives of the Austrian Parliament and Foreign Ministry, heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Vienna, heads of Vienna-based international organizations, honorary consuls of the Republic of Kazakhstan, members of the Austrian-Kazakh Society, representatives of the Kazakh diaspora, students, Austrian socio-political and business circles, as well as the mass media. Among the distinguished guests of the evening was the rector of the Kazakh National University of Arts, professor Ayman Mussakhojayeva.

The sophisticated international and Austrian audience was delighted with the skills of musicians from Kazakhstan. Each performance of the orchestra was followed by a standing ovation, and soloists - Amina Akhmetzhanova, Islam Aliyev, Yermek Kurmanaev and Batyrzhan Smakov, were presented with bouquets of flowers in appreciation of their art. The orchestra extended the festive evening by performing an encore of the work of the great Kazakh poet Abay Kunanbayev - “Kozimnіn Karasi”.

Concluding the concert, the musicians performed the national anthems of Austria and Kazakhstan.

In his welcoming speech the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Austria and the Permanent Representative to international organizations in Vienna Kairat Sarybay outlined the role of culture as a connecting link between the peoples of different countries. The diplomat thanked the musicians from Kazakhstan for a beautiful gift on the eve of the Independence Day of Kazakhstan, which coincides with the Christmas celebrations in Europe, and wished everyone a jolly holiday.

During the celebration of the Independence Day, a ceremony was held to present certificates to Austrian participants of the “Silk Way Expedition Through the Great Steppe 2019” project: former Chairwoman of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Christine Muttonen and her husband Pekka Muttonen, as well as a famous Austrian tourism consultant Ferdinand Posnik and his wife - Rosvita. As part of the project, they made a 16-day tour of the sacred places of Central and Eastern Kazakhstan, familiarizing themselves with the history and culture of the Great Steppe.