Amre Kashaubayev

Amre Kashaubayev (1886–1934) was a Kazakh singer and musician, one of the first performers of Kazakh folk music on the international stage. He was born in 1886 in the Semipalatinsk region and showed talent for singing and playing the dombra from a young age. Possessing an outstanding voice and a special manner of performance, he became known as one of the best Kazakh singers of his time.

In 1925, Amre Kashaubayev presented Kazakh culture at the International Exhibition of Decorative Arts in Paris. His performance caused a sensation among the European public, and his virtuoso performance of Kazakh folk songs allowed him to take second place among the vocalists of the competition. This event became historical, as Kazakh music was presented on the international stage for the first time.

Thanks to his talent and unusual manner of performance, many foreigners first got acquainted with the Kazakh musical tradition. His performances abroad became a symbol of the popularization of Kazakh art and culture. Despite his difficult fate, he left a deep mark on the history of Kazakh music. In Kazakhstan, a feature film “Amre” (2018) was filmed about him, telling about his life and success in Paris. Today, his name is associated with the revival and preservation of national musical culture, and his work continues to inspire new generations of performers.