On July 6, 2025, the Atyrau Regional Museum of History and Local Lore hosted an educational cultural event and temporary exhibition titled “The Sound of the Dombyra — The Voice of the Nation” in celebration of the National Day of the Dombyra. The purpose of the event was to promote national values, highlight the spiritual, historical, and cultural significance of the dombyra — a sacred symbol for the Kazakh people — and foster respect for this unique emblem of national culture.

         The event gathered prominent figures of culture and art of Kazakhstan, museum veterans and staff, as well as media representatives. Among the guests were: Kuttygerey Duiseev — “Cultural Figure of the Republic of Kazakhstan”; Yerlan Saktanov — “Excellence in Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan”; Zhaksygul Toresheva — spouse of the Honored Artist of Kazakhstan Mekes Toreshev; descendants of dombyra makers — Saniya Moldasheva, Ybyrai Lekerov, and Nurlybek Bisembayev; museum veteran Svetlana Nurpeisova; chief editor of the newspaper “Atyrau” Nazarbek Kosshiyev; staff of the Atyrau branch of the National Center for Professional Development “Orleu”; and performers of kui and terme. During the festive event, speeches were delivered by Kuttygerey Duiseev, Zhaksygul Toresheva, and Ybyrai Lekerov — the son of Great Patriotic War veteran and dombyra craftsman Tynybai Lekerov. In their addresses, they emphasized the importance of the occasion and expressed deep respect for the national art of dombyra performance. The audience was also delighted by performances from local artists: laureate of the International “Talent” Award Zh. Bazarbayev performed the terme “Makhambet,” while laureate of national competitions B. Karimov gave a masterful rendition of the kuis “Toremurat” by Kurmangazy Sagyrbayuly and “Atyrau” by Karshyga Akhmediyarov, captivating the listeners and awakening love for national art.

         At the conclusion of the event, guests visited a temporary exhibition of dombyras from the museum’s collection. Among the exhibits was a rare and valuable 19th-century dombyra inlaid with silver and bone, which belonged to Great Patriotic War veteran Tynybai Lekerov (donated to the museum in 1975 from Sorochinko village, Makhambet District); a dombyra made by master Sakyb usta (donated in 2023 during an ethnographic expedition); a dombyra by folk craftsman Uakhap Nareshev; and a replica of the dombyra of the great thinker Aba Kunanbayev. Additionally, the exhibition presented dombras belonging to outstanding masters of Kazakh music — Nurgisa Tlendiyev, Karshyga Akhmediyarov, Azidolla Eskaliev, Aigul Ulkenbayeva, Seken Turysbek, and Asylbek Ensepov — as well as unique instruments crafted by artisans, including a five-string double-neck dombyra, dombyras used by aitys performers in competitions, and other rare examples of Kazakh musical heritage.