Culture
Turkmenistan approves large-scale programme to celebrate 34th anniversary of independence
31.08.2025At a regular meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan chaired by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Deputy Prime Minister Bahar Seyidova presented a comprehensive plan of cultural events for September 2025. The programme, developed as part of the UN's International Year of Peace and Trust, includes a variety of events, from professional conferences to mass celebrations. This was reported by the online publication Turkmenportal. The cultural calendar for the month includes two significant competitive events: the final of the national children's talent contest ‘Garaşsyzlygyň merjen däneleri’ in the ‘Nowruz ýaýlasy’ valley and the television contest ‘Ýaňlan, Diýarym!’ at the capital's song and music centre. Events dedicated to the 34th anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence occupy an important place in the programme. The celebration plan includes a concert with the participation of leading cultural figures, a ceremony of laying flowers at the Independence Monument, the solemn raising of the national flag in the central squares of Arkadag and all velayats of the country, as well as a parade in front of the State Tribune. The President of Turkmenistan, emphasising the importance of high-quality preparation for the upcoming events, instructed the Deputy Prime Minister to ensure a high level of organisation for the festive events and ceremonies to open new social and cultural facilities.
Conductor from Turkmenistan joins jury of music show ‘Silk Way Star’
29.08.2025Honoured Artist of Turkmenistan, conductor and artistic director of the country's State Symphony Orchestra Rasul Klychev has joined the jury of the first Asian vocal competition ‘Silk Way Star’, which started in Astana. This was reported by IIC. His participation highlights the high level of Turkmen musical art, recently confirmed by the victory of the Youth Orchestra of Turkmenistan at a festival in Vienna, where the ensemble won the gold award and R. Klychev was recognised as the ‘Best Conductor’. Turkmenistan will be represented at the competition by singer and composer Dovran Shammiyev, winner of the ‘Altyn Asyr’ award. He will perform alongside participants from 11 countries. The show started on 20 August, and the final will take place on 22 November. The winner will be determined by the votes of the jury and viewers. ‘Silk Way Star’ is positioned as an international cultural platform that brings artists together and discovers new talent.
Representatives of Turkmenistan took part in the ‘Youth Camp of the CIS Countries’
29.08.2025In Lachin, declared the cultural capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2025, a ceremonial closing of the ‘Youth Camp of the CIS Countries’ took place. The event, timed to coincide with City Day, brought together young representatives from Turkmenistan, as well as from a number of other Commonwealth countries. This was reported by IIC. The closing ceremony served as a platform for summarising the results of intercultural dialogue. Masim Mamedov, Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the Lachin District, focused on the transformations taking place in the city, emphasising that the infrastructure being created in the city opens up new opportunities for young people to realise their potential. Farruh Jumayev, representative of the Ministry of Culture, described the project as a catalyst for the restoration of the region's cultural landscape. The key theme of the speeches by representatives of youth organisations and international foundations was the importance of continuing joint projects. The event concluded with the presentation of certificates and a gala concert featuring creative groups. The project demonstrated the effectiveness of youth camps as a tool for strengthening humanitarian ties within the Commonwealth.
Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan organise cross-cultural Days
27.08.2025Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan will hold cross-cultural days. The events will take place in October 2025 in Azerbaijan and in April 2026 in Turkmenistan. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The events will be part of the agreements reached on 22 August at a trilateral meeting in the ‘Avaza’ National Tourist Zone with the participation of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. In a joint statement, the parties emphasised the importance of humanitarian cooperation, including the development of ties between cultural and scientific institutions, the media, creative associations and universities in the region.
A film about the Turkmen poet Magtymguly Pyragy will be shown in Kazan
27.08.2025As part of the Kazan International Muslim Film Festival ‘Altyn Minbar’, there will be a special screening of the film ‘Magtymguly Pyragy’. The film, directed by Muzaffarjon Erkinov, is included in the non-competitive programme ‘Russia – Islamic World’. This was reported by IIC. A joint project by filmmakers from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, created in 2024, the film tells the story of the life and work of the great Turkmen poet and philosopher Magtymguly Pyragy, who was active in the 18th century. The film highlights important stages in the thinker’s biography, including his studies at the Kukeldash madrasah in Buhara and the Shergozihan madrasah in Hiva. The film is scheduled to be shown at the ‘Rodina’ cinema in Kazan on 9 September. The screening is organized as part of the festival programme aimed at strengthening cultural ties between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world.
A Turkmen film about Magtymguly Pyragy was presented in Astrakhan in honour of the 30th anniversary of neutrality
22.08.2025On 21 August, the ‘Illusion’ cinema in Astrakhan hosted a special screening of the Turkmen film ‘Magtymguly Pyragy’, timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality. The event was attended by the Consul of Turkmenistan in Astrakhan, a delegation of Turkmen media specialists who arrived at the Caspian Media Forum, Turkmen students from Astrakhan universities and representatives of the Turkmen diaspora. This was reported by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. A. Atayev, representative of the State Committee for Television, Radio Broadcasting and Cinematography of Turkmenistan, delivered a welcoming speech to the audience. He emphasised the significance of Magtymguly Pyragy's work for national culture and the importance of strengthening humanitarian cooperation between the Caspian countries. The screening of the film was part of a programme of events dedicated to the anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality and aimed at promoting Turkmen cultural heritage abroad.
The folk song contest ‘Çalsana, bagşy!’ has come to an end in Turkmenistan
21.08.2025The final round of the folk musicians' competition ‘Çalsana, bagşy!’ (‘Play, Bakshy!’) held as part of the state creative competition ‘Golden age of Turkmen’ has ended in Ashgabat. This was reported by the IIC. Twenty-eight performers aged 18 to 35 from all velayats of the country took part in the competition. The competition was held in two stages: first, the participants demonstrated their skills in playing the dutar (a Turkmen two-stringed instrument), then they performed folk songs in the traditional bakshy genre. The jury, consisting of renowned master musicians, evaluated the performance technique and preservation of ancient traditions. At the end of the competition, 14 winners were awarded valuable prizes — national Turkmen carpets and gold chains on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan. The event was accompanied by a thematic exhibition of antique musical instruments, carpets and works of art, and ended with a collective performance of the song ‘Çalsana, bagşy!’
Young talents from Turkmenistan took part in an international arts festival in Kazakhstan
21.08.2025The International Children's Arts Festival organised by the International Organisation of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) has come to an end in Aktau, Kazakhstan. Turkmenistan was represented by young artists from the Balkan, Mary, Lebap and Ahal velayats. The children's dance group ‘Abatjyk’ from the Balkan velayat, as well as students Dovletgeldi Orazdurdyev (Turkmenbashi), Soyench Mashadov and Shamyrat Myratjanov (Balkanabat) won prizes in the categories of choreography and instrumental performance. This was reported by the online publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. In the competition for young artists ‘Traditional Children's Games of the Turkic World,’ the Grand Prix was won by Bibinabat Ashyrova from the Mary velayat, and the prize winners were Aysel Semenderova (Lebap velayat) and Vepa Geldimuhammedov (Ahal velayat). The festival ended with a gala concert featuring performances by the best ensembles from the participating countries. TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev noted the importance of such events for strengthening cultural ties between the Turkic peoples.
The Guseynov family presents the musical art of Turkmenistan in Astrakhan
20.08.2025As part of the 5th Caspian Seasons International Classical Arts Festival, the Astrakhan Philharmonic Hall will host a concert by the renowned Guseynov family dedicated to the musical culture of Turkmenistan on 24 August. This was reported by the news agency Orient. Opera singer Daria Guseynova, composer and pianist Mamed Guseynov, and their 11-year-old son Dariy, who has already established himself as a young singer and pianist, will perform on stage. Despite their different creative pursuits, the family is united by a love of art and a desire to build bridges between cultures. Daria Guseynova is well known to audiences in Russia and abroad, Mamed Guseynov combines European and national musical traditions in his works, and Dariy Guseynov has already won awards at a number of prestigious music competitions. The performance of the Guseynov family will be one of the key events of the festival and will showcase the richness and diversity of Turkmenistan's musical heritage. The Caspian Seasons festival takes place in Astrakhan from 19 to 30 August and brings together creative groups and performers from the Caspian region.
A carpet was made in Turkmenistan in honour of the International Year of Peace and Trust
20.08.2025The Baherden Artistic Carpet Weaving Enterprise of the State Association ‘Türkmenhaly’ presented a round carpet dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality. This was reported by the news website TerraNews. The product is made in a classic style: the central medallion is framed by ornaments on a white background, symbolising happiness and prosperity. The carpet is distinguished by its rich velvety sheen. The company has already received awards, including the Presidential competition prize, and Turkmen carpets are traditionally valued for their high quality all over the world.
Turkmenistan to be included in historical research by the RGO
20.08.2025The Russian Geographical Society (RGO) plans to conduct expeditions to Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan in 2026. They will be part of a programme dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Pyotr Semenov-Tyan-Shansky, according to the news website Asmannews. This outstanding 19th-century scientist was the first to conduct detailed research in the Tien Shan, as well as the regions of Transcaspia and Turkestan, leaving a significant mark on geography, geology and biology. In 2024, the RGO has already repeated part of Semenov-Tyan-Shansky's route — from Bishkek to Karakol — studying the relief, seismic activity and archaeological sites. The project brings together specialists from various fields, including historians, geographers, ecologists and cultural experts. The result of the work will be a monograph entitled ‘Historical and Cultural Atlas of the Semenov-Tyan-Shansky Expeditions’ and an interactive map of the routes, which will be useful for science, tourism and local history. The organisers emphasise that the expeditions will not only allow researchers to study the dynamics of change in the region, but also draw attention to its cultural heritage and strengthen international scientific cooperation.
Turkmen artists won prizes at TURKSOY competition in Aktau
19.08.2025The award ceremony for the winners of a competition for young artists dedicated to traditional children's games was held in Aktau. The Grand Prix was awarded to Bibinamat Ashirova from Turkmenistan. This was reported by the Orient news agency. In addition, Aysel Semenderova and Vepa Geldimuhammedov from Turkmenistan took second and third place, respectively. More than 40 participants from Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkey, selected from 2,000 contestants, reached the final. Sultan Raev, Secretary General of TURKSOY, noted the importance of such projects for strengthening cultural ties between peoples. The winners were awarded diplomas and gifts from TURKSOY and the authorities of Aktau.
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