Ever since Kazakh broadcaster Khabar TV joined the EBU as an associate member earlier this year, speculation has been rife that Kazakhstan may debut at Eurovision 2017. Now, Kazakh media has even put forth a name, reporting that singer  Dimash Kudaibergen is preparing a song to represent Kazakhstan next year.

Kazakhstan hasn’t even been confirmed for Eurovision, but the Kazakh glitterati is already feeling him. Several local celebs have said that he would be the ideal candidate and that they even see him winning the contest. Such faith!

If Dimash Kudaibergen sings for Kazakhstan at Eurovision, it won’t be his first international competition. Last summer he won the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk, Belarus, making him the first Kazakh to do so. And no wonder: He has a big set of lungs and sings with major soul.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p6zUBOJqPo

His win at Slavianski puts him in good company with a number of Eurovision alums. Ruslana, Zeljko Joskimovic, Alyona Lanskaya and Donny Montell all won the bazaar at some point.

Dimash is not the first rumoured artist to represent the Central Asian country. Turkvizyon winner Zhanar Dugalova and A-Studio have emerged as favourites as well.

Should Kazakhstan join Eurovision?

What do you think? Should Kazakhstan, if they will participate, send Dimash Kudaibergen? Let us know in the comments below!

Follow all of our Kazakhstan news here

Picture: vitebsk.cc

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Marc Norrmad
Marc Norrmad
7 years ago

Kazakhstan is not Asia country! Kazakhstan is Euroasia country. Welcome Kazakhstan!

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
7 years ago

I am praying for Kazakhstan to make their eurovision debut in 2017

i will definitely vote for them if they participate 🙂

HIDEO
HIDEO
7 years ago

KAZAKHSTAN Should debut in 2017!!! They really have more rights to join than Australia or USA (who plan join starts with Justin Timberlake…) I’m Lithuanian, and I want That KAZAKHSTAN join in Eurovision family!!! Also want That Monaco and Turkey come back!

Alexander
7 years ago

Kazakhstan should participate in Eurovision, because part of Kazakhstan 14 percent are in Europe, there are two field and two Atyrau.Esli Uralsk and Kazakhstan will participate in the Eurovision is sure they will win

keten
keten
7 years ago

zhanar dugalova please, thank you.

#Justice4Margaret
#Justice4Margaret
7 years ago

Noo. Either Zhanar Dugalova or Dilnaz Akhmadieva please.

Sabi
Sabi
8 years ago

@PP: Since the last month Khabar Agency is now EBU associated member!!
http://www3.ebu.ch/about/members?type=associate

Now they just need become Council of Europe member for ensure the full membership or that EBU invite them just like they do with Australia to participate in Eurovsion as well 😉 It’s not that impossible not see them participating in the near future.

Fatima
Fatima
8 years ago

I think most people are ignoring the wider problem which is that there already too many countries in the contest. Twenty five or even 20 is too many for a single programme where the public are supposed to make a watch them all and make a rational decision regardless of the running order.

PP
PP
8 years ago

EBU is trying so hard to ruin Eurovision. First they break rule with Australia, than try another with Kayakshstan.
Khabar TV is not active members of EBU, they are Associate members like SBS from Australia.
We don t want to see every year 12,10 , 8 points go to 3 countries, Turkey, Azerbaijan or Russia.

esc
esc
8 years ago

autotune and lip sync shhhh

Nikos
Nikos
8 years ago

@Mei International, I have to disagree as well on your argument. First, Georgia in particular is very much European. It has always been accepted that Georgians and other ethnic groups of the Caucasus have been European peoples. They are very unlike Eastern Asians (with whom Kazakhs do share some similiraties with.) And politically it is not as relevant, because after all Yugoslavia participated for so many years and even won the contest under what is considered a “non-western” political system. I agree with you on Israel, which is proof of their history in the contest. Second, neighborly bias is not… Read more »

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
8 years ago

oh and to address the ‘but they’re not even *interested*’ complaint
Kazakhstan has put time and effort into some of the most high quality songs at Türkvizyon and is kind of using it as a jumpstart to their budding music scene, while Australia completely blew off its participation in several of ABU contests–they sent Dani Im, and that was it. No effort. Arguably Kazakhstan has the highest drive to win Eurovision outside Sweden

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
8 years ago

ITT people getting salty at an associate member attempting to get into the contest using the exact same rules that allowed Australia to enter fun fact Kazakhstan is partially in Europe while Australia is on the other side of the world fun fact that Kazakhstan has a huge Ukrainian and Russian minority that (gasp) are European descent fun fact that when you let in one associate member then the rest jump on in I really am not surprised like I remember calling this exact moment last year in January when SBS randomly entered the contest All I can say is… Read more »

Mei International
Mei International
8 years ago

+Isaac Muscat
Fair about football that was still a recent change that is still kind of a stretch….

But the thing about Australia is that they have watched for 30+ years and are very much culturally European whereas Kazakhstan just is NOT

Isaac Muscat
Isaac Muscat
8 years ago

+Mei International But you also have to consider some other factors. For example,in football, Kazakhstan is part of Europe while Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are not. Also, if Europe let Australia take part, why not Kazakhstan also? After all, Australia is from the other side of the world while Kazakhstan is quite close to Europe.

Mei International
Mei International
8 years ago

I feel so torn about this one…. Kazakhstan is just not a very European country (neither is Georgia, or Azerbaijan for that matter). None of these countries in their framework particularly embody Europe (Israel does, in the sense that it is a liberal democracy with nearly half its population of a Euro descent) Part of me thinks it’s kinda distasteful to the Western European nations who are heritage Eurovision countries and help establish and bring about the contest we all love, to keep bringing in eastern nations that undoubtedly will just vote for one another/rely on diaspora voting. Maybe I… Read more »

Héctor
Héctor
8 years ago

I would like the most possible countries could join Eurovison, but I think this will be better for Russia than for anyone. Twelve more points to them…

blondboybc
blondboybc
8 years ago

Looking forward their participation…It’ll bring more of a Turkish flair back to ESC, in the absence (?) of Turkey. Welcome, Kazakhstan! ;D

Huh
Huh
8 years ago

As long as they have great singers in the contest, then they are good to go. Then again, Israel have joined Eurovision numerous decades ago.

Sparrow
Sparrow
8 years ago

Kazakhstan in, Australia out.

Hippo
Hippo
8 years ago

I’m not totally against the idea of Kazakhstan and they have as much a claim to join as several countries (and definitely more so than Australia). My only problem is that with every country joining more and more are going to miss out on the final. If they do join and depending on withdrawls and returns the number in the final should increase to 28 maybe. It’s already bad how many countries miss out on the final.

Laburnum
Laburnum
8 years ago

Either Dimash or Zhanar (or all of KeshYou). Maybe a duo?

D
D
8 years ago

Okay, so an associate member of the EBU that has territory in Europe, but is a developing nation is not allowed to take part. But an associate member of the EBU with no territory in Europe yet is a developed country can take part? Sounds fair.

Also, don’t know how Kazakhstan joining Eurovision would “destroy” the Euro part of Eurovision. It is a European country. Australia’s the one people should be complaining about.

DenizNL
DenizNL
8 years ago

@George

Kazakhstan has an European part just like Turkey, Georgia and Russia, they can participate too. And since they just joined the EBU it is totally acceptable.

George
George
8 years ago

Common..let’s not destroy EUROvison

DR
DR
8 years ago

He’s miming. The volume doesn’t change when the mic is further from his mouth. And every so often his mouth position is early and the sound comes a little bit after. At one point his sh came a split second after his face had done it.
Just remembered I was watching Moscow 2009 recently and Dima mimed during his opener. I thought the video and audio didn’t match, but everything else was in synch. It was hilarious how out of synch he was. We know he can sing by the fact he won, so why do it?

Colin
Colin
8 years ago

If true, welcome Kazakhstan 🙂 The more, the merrier, if you ask me.

fikri
fikri
8 years ago

his performance is the best imo in last year’s abu tv song festival too. he will be s great choice!

Österrike
Österrike
8 years ago

Oh no, another 100% qualifier for the final bulldozing the small countries of old Europe…..

And suddenly Eurovision would have 46 participating countries in 2017 (incl. Portugal, Turkey…), which is the maximum. How would Slovakia, Luxembourg, Andorra or Monaco be able to return then if they wanted? Relegate Australia?

Ben Rafter
Ben Rafter
8 years ago

They would be like the new Turkey in the competition if they take part next year! I loved Turkey in the Eurovision (except 2011+2012) because they added their own culture and didn’t just release a plain pop song. Like who can forget dum tek tek!!!!

Leaf
Leaf
8 years ago

Completion*

Freyah
Freyah
8 years ago

I hope Kazakhstan can compete next year. Means we might see turkey back too.

Leaf
Leaf
8 years ago

I cannot think of who should represent Kazakhstan cos I don’t want them on Eurovision.

Don’t want Australia too… They didn’t win they were not supposed to come back and take a spot in the final from a European country in a European music commotion…. Not being prejudice but I would watch AsiaVision if it ever got to ESC level but we already have too many European countries not being too into Eurovison, don’t want to spoil their “enthusiasm” even more.

MirkoJoshua
MirkoJoshua
8 years ago

Never heard such a marvellous voice, he would be a really good choice

Eurovision & Disney
Eurovision & Disney
8 years ago

I love Kazakhstan! Dimash & Zhanar would be great choices!