Patronage
A Legend of Kazakhstani Art: Bibigul Tulegenova Celebrates Her Jubilee
Bibigul Akhmetovna is rightfully regarded as Kazakhstan's national treasure. UNESCO lists her as one of the most outstanding women of the 20th century.

Her voice likened to a sparkling brook flowing across the boundless steppes, has become a hallmark of Kazakh art, an inexhaustible source of inspiration for generations of musicians, and a profound expression of her audience’s admiration. To this day, the People's Artist captivates audiences with her radiant smile and unshakable optimism.
Bibigul Akhmetovna Tulegenova was born on December 16, 1929, in Semipalatinsk. A Soviet Kazakh opera singer, she served as a soloist at the Abai Kazakh State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, as well as a professor and academician. Over the course of her illustrious career, she received enthusiastic acclaim in 40 countries, performing with the finest orchestras under the direction of the most distinguished conductors of her time. Bibigul Akhmetovna’s repertoire extended beyond classical works, as she passionately championed the masterpieces of Kazakh music, promoting them on stages across the globe.
Since 2007, PetroKazakhstan has been a proud supporter of the Bibigul Tulegenova International Vocal Competition. This partnership has grown into a strong friendship, paving the way for further collaborative projects.

Bibigul Tulegenova's boundless talent allowed her to perform works spanning a wide range of genres—from folk compositions to complex opera arias. Her rendition of Kazakh folk songs became her signature, embodying the beauty and melody of her homeland, her love and devotion to her people, and her pride in representing her nation on the world stage.
Bibigul Tulegenova faced numerous trials in her life. She lost her father at a young age and, at just 12, had to start working at the Semipalatinsk Meat Processing Plant. Bibigul Akhmetovna never concealed her humble origins. Director Igor Gonopolskiy, who filmed the documentary Portrait of a Legend about her, aptly called her "an aristocrat of spirit." "She didn’t become one—she was born one," he noted in an interview. "She went hungry, gathered grain stalks, and worked in a meat plant where there were no white gloves or fancy utensils. She never renounced her father, branded an ‘enemy of the people,’ and even fought as a young girl to defend his honor."
And through it all, she always wanted to sing. From a young age, she displayed exceptional musical talent. "When my first teacher, Galina Iosifovna Serebryakova, told me after a local amateur arts performance that I should apply to the conservatory, I recall jokingly replying, ‘I already work at the cannery,’" Bibigul Tulegenova later recounted with a smile. A year of lessons with Serebryakova led her to become a student at the Almaty Conservatory, marking the beginning of her artistic journey.
"I never chose my stages in life," the singer shared. "The same responsibility applies whether you perform in a rural hall or a 15th-century cathedral. The audience lifted me, a simple working girl from Semipalatinsk, to the heights of vocal art."

Bibigul Akhmetovna considers her favorite operatic role to be Enlik in Gaziza Zhubanova’s opera Enlik-Kebek. Her repertoire also includes brilliant performances in major roles in operas such as The Snow Maiden by Rimsky-Korsakov, La Traviata and Rigoletto by Verdi, The Barber of Seville by Rossini, Don Pasquale by Donizetti, Kyz-Zhibek by Yevgeny Brusilovsky, Alpamys by Erkegali Rakhmadiyev, and many others.

Scan the QR code to access excerpts from the book Bibigul Tulegenova: To Love, Hope, and Believe on the official website of the PetroKazakhstan Group of Companies.
"First and foremost, it’s the heart and soul that must resonate," Bibigul Akhmetovna emphasized. "I think this sincerity comes naturally to me because I am part of the people. Their joys, sorrows, and emotions are close to my heart." This deep connection explains the unique warmth and national color of her renditions of folk songs and works by Kazakh composers, such as Gaukhar tas, Zhyirma Bes, Bul-Bul by Latyf Khamidi, Kos Karlygash by Yevgeny Brusilovsky, Eske Alu by Mukan Tulebayev, Tarantella by Erkegali Rakhmadiyev, and Koktem Vals by Tolegen Mukhamedzhanov.
Bibigul Akhmetovna’s destiny also endowed her with remarkable acting talent, showcased in films cherished by generations of Kazakhstanis, including Daughter of the Steppes, Our Dear Doctor, This Happened in Shugla, An Angel in a Tyubeteyka, and The Sky of My Childhood.
Even today, she continues to make invaluable contributions to the country’s cultural development. The International Vocal Competition, named after Bibigul Tulegenova, has launched the careers of dozens of talented singers. Since its inception in 2000, the competition has attracted participants from far beyond Kazakhstan, and many laureates have gone on to perform on prestigious opera stages worldwide. At gala performances during the competition, audiences have often had the privilege of hearing Bibigul Akhmetovna herself perform her iconic pieces.
When asked about the secret to her success, Bibigul Tulegenova said, "I believe you must love the people for whom you work—the audience can always feel the energy of love. I won’t deny it, the path of a creative person is challenging. But difficulties only spurred me on, and words like ‘I can’t,’ ‘I don’t know,’ or ‘I’m not capable’ didn’t exist in my vocabulary. There’s no greater joy than being appreciated by listeners across generations—from my peers to today’s youth. In such moments, all hardships fade away!"


A People’s Artist of the USSR and a Hero of Socialist Labor, Bibigul Tulegenova’s awards and titles are countless. She is a recipient of two Orders of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, the independent Kazakhstan orders Otan and Barys (First Class), as well as state prizes of the USSR and Kazakh SSR, a personal Gold Badge of the President of Kazakhstan, and the interstate Commonwealth Stars Award.

However, awards are not what matters most to the People’s Artist. "Sometimes an artist might have a grand title and government awards, yet still fail to resonate with the people," she remarked. "But for me, people stop me in the street, eager to talk or take photos. I am deeply grateful to all my fans for this love."
Dear Bibigul Akhmetovna, we wholeheartedly congratulate you on your 95th birthday! Your life serves as an example and inspiration for generations of Kazakhstanis. We thank you for the songs that inspire and unite us! Wishing you robust health and many more years to come!
