On 7 April, a joint cultural event marking the celebration of Nowruz took place at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The event was organised by the Permanent Missions to UNESCO of Turkmenistan and a number of Asian countries, including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan.

The event took place in UNESCO’s reception hall and included a concert, an exhibition and a tasting of national dishes.

The guest of honour was UNESCO Assistant Director-General Anthony Kwaku Ohemeng-Boamah. Among the participants were representatives of French government bodies, international organisations, the diplomatic corps and the general public.

Turkmenistan presented handmade national carpets, jewellery and souvenirs. A tasting of Turkmen cuisine was also organised for the guests.

The cultural programme featured a musical ensemble led by Serdar Haydarov. The performance included pieces played on traditional instruments, such as the dutar and the gyjak.

A fashion show was also held, showcasing a collection by Turkmen designer Gowher Pirkuliyeva alongside works by designers from Azerbaijan and Tajikistan.