Aliya

## History

The song is dedicated to Kazakh hero **Aliya** Nurmuhametqyzy Moldagulova  (real name Ilya - Ілия, her comrades-in-arms called her "Leah" - «Лия»)  who received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. She was sniper during Great Patriotic War (World War II) and died at the age of 18 in winter 1944.

Poet Bakir Tazhibayev and composer Seidolla Baiterekov sang about the heroism of Aliya, who died in a fierce battle. The song has become popular when Roza Rymbaeva sung it and became laureate of "Song-77" TV festival. In 1977, Roza presented the song at the Golden Orpheus festival in Bulgaria and won a Grand Prix of the competition.

"*In general, the first time it was performed by Tlektes Nurmagambetov with the ensemble “Gulder” in a different arrangement and in a different key. And for me in my style it was prepared by my husband. And this song turned out to be different in terms of melody, rhythm and size. Thanks to this version, in principle, I became popular. And in fact, she is over forty years old*” Rosa Rymbaeva emphasized.

"*Y'es, in the big arena it was performed by Rosa Rymbaeva. 't was she who introduced her to the entire Soviet Union and the world. But the very first performance belongs to Nagima Eskalieva in 1977 at the student song contest*” recalls the widow of the song’s author.

Yes, the same Nagima Eskalieva who sang Białowieża Forest with Dimash.

The first performer of the song is not clear: was it Tlektes Numagambetov or Nagima Eskalieva. The confusion maybe due to the fact that there were plenty poems and songs inspired by Aliya:

1. collection “Aliya-Manshuk” (“Әлия-Мәншүк)
2. Songs:
	1. "Aliya" (Әлия) B. Tazhibayev and S. Baiterekov - Roza and Dimash are singing this version / song
	2. "Aliya" (Әлия) A. Saduakasova
	3. “Song of the Pramaterers of Hobby” (Песнь Праматери Хобды) A.Utegenov
	4. “Nineteen years” (Он тоғыз жас) E.Ashikbayev
	5. “Tulip-life Aliya” (Қызғалдақ-ғұмыр Әлия) and “Missing” (Сағыныш) G. Aimakhanova
	6. "Aru kyz, erzhurek kyz, Aliya kyz" (Ару қыз, ержүрек қыз, Әлия қыз) composer K. Kozhanbayev
3. Poems:
	1. "Flower-life” (Гүл-ғұмыр)
	2. “Aliya-Manshuk” (Әлия-Мәншүк) T. Moldagaliev
	3. “Aliya's heart” (Әлияның жүрегі) Y. Helemsky
	4. "Eastern glass" (Шығыс шынары) A.Nurmakhanova
	5. "Aliya" (Әлия) K.Derkach nko, R. Trofimov
	6. "Bright stars" (Жарық жұлдыздар) S. Zhienbayev
4. Documentaries:
	1. "Aliya" (Әлия) short story by A. Oralbay
	2. short story “Aliya Moldagulovna” (Әлия Молдағұлқызы) Zh. Zhumakanov
	3. film “Aliya” (Әлия) directed by Y. Piskunov
5. epic “Aliya” (Әлия) S. Zhienbayev
6. ballet “Aliya” (Әлия) M. Sagatov
7. film “Snipers” (Снайперлер) directed by B. Shamshiev
8. performance “Aliya” (Әлия) A.Tarazi

Source: Kazakh wikipedia, Michael Zech YouTube video, Qazaqconcert Instagram, EL.KZ news, Kazinform

## 9 May 2020 collaboration

The song was recently covered by a group of Kazakh artists including Dimash, in honour of the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory and bow to the Heroes. Legendary heroism is in our hearts. The clip was supported by the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Performers: @rozarymbaeva, @kudaibergenov.dimash, @saken\_maigaziyev, @tuleshova\_daneliya, @aikyn, @alisher\_k, @amre\_official, @dinaya\_official, @indi\_edilbayeva, @dinara\_sultan1, @moldir.auyelbekova, @maksim\_erjan, @alensamykenov, @diana\_makina

https://www.instagram.com/tv/B\_90lZNg6gZ/?igshid=yb2rj900i1n3&fbclid=IwAR2brvS3q5z0NK-\_2Wg3xZ94EnJ61KE7jDAqzAtBONx9alPAnOunW6fYOQU

## Video

Dimash sang Aliya when he was approximately 13 years old. We have only audio recording.

Video with background story and lyrics in English, German, and Russian

## Lyrics

### Original Kazakh

Әлия (Aliya)

Қобда, Нева суларын сүйіп өскен

Әсем гүлін құшаққа жиып өскен...

Аққу құстың бейнебір баласындай

Сұлу сазды жастықтың күйін кешкен

Әлия - ару қызы сен халқымның

Әлия - батыр қызы сен халқымның

Ерке құсы кен даламның!

Шолпан жұлдыз - өзіңсің шоқтай жарық

Көз алмаймыз көркіңнен тоқтай қалып

Туған жердің төсінде мәңгілікке

Тұр ғой сенің жүрегің оттай жанып

Әлия - ару қызы сен халқымның

Әлия - батыр қызы сен халқымның

Ерке құсы кен даламның!

Source: Lyricstranslate

### English translation

Aliya

You grew up loving the waters of Khobda and Neva

You grew up hugging beautiful flowers

Like a picture of a swan

The personification of a beautiful melody of youth

Aliya - you are the breave doughter of my people

Aliya - you are wonderful dougther of my people

My big steppe's favourite bird!

You shine like a morning star

Enchanted by your beauty, we could not take our eyes off you

In the chest of the Motherland

Your heart burns like an eternal fire

Source: Michael Zech YouTube

## Original performance

Roza Rymbaeva - "Aliya", Song-77 (Роза Рымбаева - "Алия", Песня-77) - 1977