13.05.2026 19:03
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who went to Kazakhstan for the Organization of Turkic States Summit, was greeted with a surprise in Astana. The President, welcomed by Kazakh children waiting for him at Nursultan Nazarbayev Airport with chants of "Welcome to your ancestral homeland, Erdoğan Ata!", was delighted by the children's Dombra surprise. The performance by children in traditional attire, who said "We will play the Dombra for you in our ancient tradition," created colorful moments at the airport.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who traveled to Kazakhstan to attend the Informal Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), was greeted with an unforgettable "Dombra" surprise in the capital Astana. The welcoming ceremony at Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport featured moments beyond protocol.
UNFORGETTABLE WELCOME BY CHILDREN
President Erdoğan and his wife Emine Erdoğan went to the Kazakh children's orchestra waiting for them after disembarking. The little ones in traditional costumes greeted Erdoğan in Turkish: "Erdoğan Ata, welcome to your ancestral homeland!"
Erdoğan responded to this warm welcome by saying, "We are happy to be here, thank you," and before the young artists began their performance, they invited him: "Dear President, in our tradition, we will play Dombra with our friends for you, please join us," and started their show.
DOMBRA ECHOED AT THE AIRPORT
The orchestra of Kazakh children masterfully played "Dombra," which has become a beloved and symbolic song in Turkey, for President Erdoğan.
Erdoğan watched the children with interest throughout the song and applauded and thanked them at the end of the performance.
After the musical feast, Erdoğan met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and following the ceremony at the airport, he proceeded to the hotel where he would stay. The sincere embrace of the two leaders and the cheerful atmosphere at the airport once again displayed the message of unity and solidarity of the Turkic world ahead of the summit in Astana.