The national anthem is one of the main symbols of the state. The term «hymn» itself comes from the Greek word » gimneo «and means»solemn song». The anthem acts as an important sound symbol that is of key importance for the effective socio-political consolidation and ethno-cultural identification of the country’s citizens.
In the history of independent Kazakhstan, the national anthem of the country was approved twice – in 1992 and in 2006.
After the republic gained state sovereignty in 1992, a competition was announced for the music and text of the national anthem of Kazakhstan. According to the results of the competition, it was decided to keep the musical version of the anthem of the Kazakh SSR. Thus, the authors of the music of the first Kazakh anthem were Mukan Tulebayev, Yevgeny Brusilovsky and Latif Khamidi. The competition for the best text was also won by the author’s team, represented by famous poets: Muzafar Alimbayev, Kadyr Myrzaliyev, Tumanbay Moldagaliyev and poetess Zhadyra Daribayeva.
In order to popularize the sound symbols of the country, a new national anthem was adopted in 2006. It was based on the popular patriotic song «Menin Kazakstanym». It was written in 1956 by Shamshi Kaldayakov on the poems of Zhumeken Nazhimedenov. To give the song a high status of the national anthem and a more solemn sound, the First President of Kazakhstan — Elbasy, Nursultan Nazarbayev, finalized the original text. The Parliament of Kazakhstan, at a joint session of the Chambers on January 6, 2006, amended the Decree «On State Symbols» and approved the new national anthem of the country.