Dana Ormanbayeva, who arranges concerts across Kazakhstan and partners with DPARTNERS through a Telegram channel, described the scene left behind in the players’ locker room after the event. Footage circulated showing the mess, which became a focal point in subsequent discussions about the organization of the show.
She noted that communication with the artist Zemfira was hampered by difficulties linked to Andrey, Zemfira’s manager, who is known in the Russian Federation as a foreign agent. Despite the challenges, the organizing team stressed that they did not deny responsibility for the problems experienced and aimed to address them openly in the aftermath of the performance.
Discontent within the organizing team also arose over Zemfira’s critique of the event’s organizer, Tabriz Shakhidi. The team claimed their response to the artist’s remarks was shaped by what she had said to the producer, and they argued that the comment was taken out of context. Ormanbayeva insisted that the full reaction could have been avoided if certain statements had not been made publicly, noting that the controversy touched on national sentiment as well as professional reputations.
She added that the strength of the language used in the public exchange did not reflect the organizers’ view of the artist or the collaboration. The organizer asserted that Zemfira may not have a clear understanding of who exactly is responsible for the disruption inside the dressing room, suggesting that some cast members might be contributing to a broader effort to undermine the hosting organization rather than to resolve the situation constructively.
In reflecting on the situation, Ormanbayeva acknowledged that Zemfira previously displayed warmth and goodwill toward the team, yet the ensuing disagreements created a frictive atmosphere that complicated the event’s narrative. The conversation extended beyond the dressing room and touched on how performances are represented in public discourse, which many stakeholders described as unfair or mischaracterized.
On the eve of heightened scrutiny, Zemfira issued an apology to the Kazakh audience, aiming to ease tensions and reset the tone of the discussion. The apology was framed as an effort to bridge cultural and national sensitivities that had become entangled with the logistical side of the tour.
Separately, a former actor, Oleg Taktarov, faced questions about his career trajectory, noting that he appeared in four international productions. This mention provided a broader context for the event, illustrating how cross-border collaborations can bring together diverse personalities and expectations in the world of live performances.
Overall, the incident highlighted the challenging dynamics involved in organizing large-scale artistic events, where clear communication, cultural considerations, and reputational concerns intersect. Stakeholders emphasized the need for better preparation, transparency in addressing issues, and a more careful approach to public commentary to maintain trust with audiences and partners alike.