Metropolitan Alexander presented the People's Artist of the USSR, the outstanding Kazakh singer Bibigul Tulegenova, with the Order “Beibitshilik pen Kelisim” (Peace and Harmony)

December 31, 2023. Alma-Ata. Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan met with People's Artist of the USSR, Hero of Socialist Labor - Bibigul Akhmetovna Tulegenova.

Bibigul Tulegenova is a well-known performer of folk and pop songs in Kazakhstan and abroad, an opera singer and teacher, whose works have been recognized with high state awards and titles. Bibigul Akhmetovna - Hero of Socialist Labor, People's Artist of the USSR, holder of the Otan and Barys orders, 1st degree, laureate of state and international awards.

The meeting was attended by: Bishop of Ural and Atyrau Vianor; Secretary of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, Director of the Metropolitan Choir, Honored Artist of Russia, Member of the Patriarchal Council for the Development of Church Singing O.N. Ovchinnikov; personal assistant to Metropolitan P.V. Sokolov.

The head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan and Bibigul Tulegenova exchanged congratulations on the upcoming New Year.

Metropolitan Alexander congratulated B.A. Tulegenov with the award of a state scholarship. At the end of this year, in accordance with the decision of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, the famous singer was awarded a state scholarship in the field of culture.

The Metropolitan told the People's Artist about the life of the Kazakhstan Metropolitan District, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in the past year and about the implementation of church spiritual, educational, cultural and social charitable projects. The hierarch emphasized that the Orthodox Church contributes to strengthening the culture of the country, carries out great work to restore destroyed shrines and instills love for the Motherland in the younger generation. The archpastor especially noted the activities of the metropolitan choir under the direction of O.N. Ovchinnikov, who professionally works to preserve and develop the musical singing art of Kazakhstan, performing works of classical authors, folk Kazakh and Russian songs. Oleg Nikolaevich presented Bibigul Akhmetovna with an album with a selection of musical works performed by the metropolitan choir.

Metropolitan Alexander presented Bibigul Akhmetovna Tulegenova with the highest award of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan - the Order of “Beibitshilik pen Kelisim” (Peace and Concord). The People's Artist was awarded a special sign of church attention for her outstanding contribution to the development of Kazakhstani culture and art, strengthening interethnic harmony and friendship.

The head of the Metropolitan District said words of gratitude to the legendary performer for her efforts for the benefit of her native Kazakhstan. The interlocutors noted that the multinational and multi-religious people of Kazakhstan are one big family, united, tempered by years of trials in the last century and knowing the joy of achievements in the 21st century.

The meeting participants talked about the role of traditional religions in the life of modern Kazakh society, about the historical contribution of Islam of the Hanafi madhhab and Orthodoxy to the formation of a unique model of interethnic peace and interfaith harmony in the vastness of the Great Steppe. The People's Artist emphasized the need for spiritual, moral and intellectual education of the people and bringing people of different nationalities and religions closer together through a dialogue of cultures.

During the conversation, Bibigul Akhmetovna told her interlocutors about her life path, about her service in the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater named after Abai. “As a soloist at the opera house, I have mastered a fairly extensive repertoire. But after many years I say again and again: the most beloved and important for me was the part of Kyz-Zhibek in the opera of the same name by E. Brusilovsky. In classical works based on the words of Abai, Pushkin, Lermontov, even if it is a short song of one and a half minutes, you need to create an image, a character, live the song yourself and convey it all to the public. That is, not just sing your part, but know the backstory, get into character. I really love folk songs – Kazakh, Russian, Tatar. There are many of them in my repertoire. Folk songs are our life. When I sing, I think about the word. That’s why music and words go side by side,” the singer said.

“I had the opportunity to tour more than 40 countries around the world and perform in prestigious halls in New York, London, Paris, Rome, Athens, Tokyo, Seoul, Cairo and other major cities in the world. It was a great joy to sing accompanied by virtuoso musical groups - the Osipov National Academic Orchestra of Russian Folk Instruments, the Tchaikovsky Grand Symphony Orchestra and the Prince of Wales Chamber Orchestra. There are two women to whom I have been grateful all my life. I always ask my friends who go to church to light candles for their repose. This is Galina Iosifovna Serebryakova and Nadezhda Nikolaevna Samyshina. Thanks to them, I still sing to this day. Their classes with me, their work seriously helped me,” Bibigul Tulegenova shared her memory of the past.

The interlocutors remembered mutual friends who had passed into eternity - the outstanding Russian opera singer and artist, People's Artist of the USSR, Alexander Filippovich Vedernikov, called by his contemporaries the “Golden Bass of Russia”, the Honored Artist of Russia, talented conductor Alexander Alexandrovich Vedernikov.

At the end of the meeting, which took place in a friendly atmosphere, the participants exchanged wishes for health and well-being. In memory of the meeting, the Head of the Metropolitan District presented Bibigul Tulegenova with his book “The most important thing in us is the soul”, the calendar of the Metropolitan District for 2024 and a book-album telling about the spiritual and cultural pearl of Semirechye - the Ascension Cathedral of Almaty, the history of its construction and a full-scale scientific restoration, which the head of state K.-J.K. Tokayev called it “the second birth of a pan-Kazakh shrine.”

Metropolitan Alexander congratulated the People's Artist and her family and friends on the upcoming holiday of peace and God's love - the Nativity of Christ.