The opening of the "Pontic Lyre or Kemenzhe" exhibition took place onlineas part of the "Exhibit of the Month" project, on February 12, 2025.

Today, more than 11 thousand Greeks live in Kazakhstan, about 1 thousand in the Karaganda region. In Temirtau city, everyone has heard of such names as: Grigory Themistoklovich Grigoryadi - a poet, Ivan Anastasovich Nikolaidi - a master electrician of sheet rolling shop No. 3, Doctor of Philosophy - Ivan Lazarevich Popandopulo, Ivan Savelyevich Ivanidi - former director of the Karaganda cement plant, Ivan Stavrievich Simeonidi - an employee of the KarHES, surgeon Anastas Vasilyevich Kasapidi, Ivan Vladimirovich Georgiadi - a deputy of the regional maslikhat, poet Ivan Antonovich Eleftheriadi and many others who have made a huge contribution to the development of our city.
In 2021, Dispina Ivanovna donated an interesting exhibit to the museum's collection - kemenche, otherwise known as the Pontic lyre - a musical instrument of the Greeks, known since ancient times. There is no exact data on the origin of the Pontic lyre, but there is an opinion that it originated from the Persian kemanche. It got its name from Pontus Euxinus - the ancient name of the Black Sea. During the Ottoman Empire, the lyre received its second name - "kemenche". Kemanchi or kemenche has 3 strings - one string is not metal, but two are metal. Maple, spruce, pear and oak, as well as horsehair (for the bow) were used for its manufacture. Initially, the lyre was used in military campaigns to raise the morale of the troops. Over time, this instrument began to accompany festive processions and dances. The lyre is usually played by men. The performer either stands (the lyre is in the left hand in a “hanging” position) or sits, resting the edge of the lyre on the knee area.
In 2017, the art of playing the kemanche and the craftsmanship of its manufacture were included in the list of masterpieces of the oral and intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO.