“Kazakhstan – Armenia – Hungary – China – Malaysia – Turkiye – Czech Republic – Germany – USA – Mexico – Spain – United Kingdom – Latvia” — the journey of Dimash Qudaibergen’s Strangerbegan in Almaty in 2022 and, crossing countries and continents, concluded in Riga in 2025.
The word Stranger has several meanings in English, and each of them feels appropriate when speaking about a show that travelled across three continents and captivated audiences in 13 countries.
The interpretation Wanderer is perhaps the most accurate, drawn directly from the lyrics of the song that gave the tour its name:
“New land as far as I can see.
New ground beneath my feet.
A wanderer in a foreign land —
A new chance to find out who I am…”
At the same time, many international media outlets interpreted the title as Stranger, as during this tour Dimash visited several countries for the very first time.
Combining these meanings — and recalling Dimash’s own words — it becomes clear that the purpose of these journeys across vast seas and oceans is to introduce as many people as possible to the culture of his homeland.
Traditionally opening his tours in Kazakhstan, the artist consistently pursues this mission through music. He creates around himself a unique symbiosis of people who feel music deeply, strive for unity and peace, and seek to see and hear manifestations of true love — sincere, without excessive sentimentality:
“Waves of love moved from the stage and back again. Dimash wasn’t swept away by this tsunami, perhaps only because throughout almost the entire concert someone was holding his hand. And he held on. And everyone truly needed that.”
Dimash’s parents, Kanat and Svetlana Aitbaev, shared insights into how the tour program is created. According to them, the core concept of the show is defined by Dimash himself. He structures the program based on his directorial vision and the musical works selected for the concert. After that, the directing team joins the process to refine ideas and shape the final production.
For the preparation of the first concert of the tour alone, more than 200 people from creative, technical, and organizational teams were involved. Over 100 specialists worked on installing technical equipment in Almaty and Astana. Including costume designers, volunteers, and professionals from other fields, each concert ultimately brings together up to 400 participants.
The organization of international shows begins 7–9 months before the concert date. This process requires taking into account local legislation and cultural specifics. Touring teams travel from Kazakhstan, Spain, Russia, Cuba, Germany, and China. These include musicians, concert managers, and technical staff — experienced professionals in their respective fields. In each host country, local promoters and venue teams join them, forming a combined crew of approximately 200 people.