When Dombra Meets Guqin: A String Dialogue Across Civilizations

Kazakh herders strum the two-stringed dombra to sing heroic tales, while Chinese scholars meditate on mountain verses with the seven-stringed guqin. Dombra is a bright-sounding, long-necked lute central to Kazakh identity. Its lively melodies evoke the vast steppes and nomadic spirit. Used in epic storytelling and joyful celebrations, it was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2014.

Guqin, a revered zither with over 3,000 years of history, embodies Chinese philosophical refinement. Hailed as the "King of Stillness," its subtle, introspective tones mirror the tranquility of ink-washed landscapes. It was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2003. Different melodies, shared essence – together they compose a timeless dialogue between Eastern and Central Asian civilizations.