On June 22, in the picturesque valley of the Ahal velayat, in the building of Türkmeniň ak öýi, in the place named Nowruz ýaýlasy of the Ak Bugday etrap the grand opening of the Culture Week took place, dedicated to the Day of Cultural and Art Workers, as well as the poetry of Magtymguly Fragi, which is widely celebrated in the Fatherland.
A large-scale creative event initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, has been held annually since 2013 in different regions of the country, demonstrating the bright palette and diversity of national culture, introducing people to its values. This arts forum is aimed at preserving, studying and widely popularizing the spiritual heritage of the Turkmen people in the world, stimulating the professional growth of creative workers, and finding new talents.
The events within the framework of the Week are filled with national color, reflect the high achievements of Turkmenistan, the inspiration and well-being of the people. Each of the regions of the country, annually taking up the baton of holding a cultural event, strives to demonstrate its contribution to the progress of the Fatherland, creative potential in opera, song and music, cinema and theater, fine, decorative and applied, literary arts.
…This morning, members of the Government, heads and representatives of the Ministry of Culture, creative universities of the country, public organizations, the media, cultural figures and masters of art, and student youth gathered at the ceremony to mark the opening of Culture Week 2025.
Among the participants of the large-scale event are famous theatre artists, pop and folk performers, museum and library specialists, musicians, artists, poets and prose writers, creative groups and popular folklore and ethnographic groups from all regions of the country.
A festive atmosphere reigned everywhere, and in accordance with established tradition, guests were greeted with bread and salt in the building.
An exhibition of arts and crafts, as well as artifacts from museum collections, was held in the foyer of Türkmeniň ak öýi. The exhibits tell about the original traditions that go back centuries, the rich cultural heritage of our people, and their art. Magnificent carpets, felts and tapestries, ceramics, sculptures, ancient national clothing, fabric samples, fine jewelry, musical instruments, traditional Turkmen household items, works by brush and canvas artists, as well as publishing products are presented here.
The audience listened to the welcoming address of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov with great enthusiasm. In his message, the head of state expressed confidence that the current event held in the Ahal velayat, having multiplied the glorious events of the International Year of Peace and Trust, will become a cultural event of great importance in popularizing the great successes achieved in the domestic cultural sphere in the world. The President of the country emphasized that the Culture Week is a celebration of national culture and art, which is designed to increase the patriotic spirit of compatriots and inspire them to new achievements.
It should be noted that as a result of the initiatives of Hero Arkadag and the state policy implemented, Turkmenistan, under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, is actively participating in the efforts of the United Nations to strengthen global peace and security, develop effective cooperation in the political-diplomatic, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres. The culture is based on humanistic principles that unite society, enriching its spiritual life, and serve to establish and develop comprehensive ties.
The current Culture Week is held under the motto "2025 - International Year of Peace and Trust". As is known, all events held in the country on the occasion of the motto of the year and the 30th anniversary of the permanent neutrality of the Fatherland reflect its achievements in various fields and are accompanied by performances by artists, musical and folklore groups.
Today, under the arches of "Türkmeniň ak öýi", a concert of masters of arts, young performers - winners of various national creative competitions, popular musical ensembles took place. Colorful performances revealed the rich heritage of the Turkmen people, the versatility of their creative talents. They glorified the large-scale activities of Arkadagly Hero Serdar, who worthily continues the noble undertakings of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero Arkadag, to strengthen peace, friendship and brotherhood throughout the world.
The artists’ performances were accompanied by video footage reflecting the main stages of the development of independent neutral Turkmenistan.
At the end of the concert, on behalf of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, a toy-sadaqah was given in the building for holding public events at “Türkmeniň ak öýi” for the prosperity of the country and the well-being of the people.
The events continued at the Ak bugdaý National Museum, the world's first and only wheat museum, in a place where, according to irrefutable evidence from scientists, the oldest center of irrigated agriculture was located. The National Museum was opened in July 2005. In its architectural embodiment, this unique building resembles a sheaf of wheat, which is crowned by a giant golden ear reaching towards the sky.
The wheat grains, grown on Turkmen soil in the 5th millennium BC (seven thousand years ago), discovered in 1904 by the expedition of the American geologist Raphael Pampelly, are the main exhibit of the unique collection collected here. The museum also presents finds from other agricultural settlements of the Kopetdag Valley - stone grain grinders, hand millstones, a bronze hoe and knife, a butter churn, fragments of ceramic dishes, other tools and household utensils.
Then, an educational and methodological meeting of museum specialists was held on the topic “Halkymyzyň medeni mirasyny toplamakda, gorap saklamakda we olary ylmy esasda öwrenmekde muzeýleriň orny”, dedicated to the role of museums in collecting, preserving and scientifically studying the cultural heritage of our people.
As noted, the country's museums are the largest cultural, scientific and educational centers in the study of the history of the Turkmen people, preservation for future generations and popularization of spiritual heritage, which is one of the priority tasks of the state. They preserve and increase the artistic and intellectual values accumulated over centuries, unique historical evidence and rarities.
It should be noted that this area is effectively developing thanks to the tireless care of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The ancient history of the Turkmen people, their unique culture, traditions and customs, the unprecedented achievements of the state in the modern era - all this is embodied in the richest museum expositions.
Of great importance are also the historical and cultural monuments of Turkmenistan, which are an important component of the world cultural heritage and evidence of the rich history and cultural diversity of the region. It is known that our land is home to such unique monuments and natural attractions as Altyn-Depe, Namazga-Depe, Gonur-Depe, Anew, Ancient Merv, Koneurgench, Kone Nusay, Paryzdepe, Shahrislam, Abiverd, Dehistan, Serahs, Darvaza and others. They are a valuable source of information for studying ancient civilizations, developing cultural ties and understanding the place of Turkmenistan in world history. In this regard, the interest of compatriots, as well as foreign guests, in the heritage of our independent Fatherland is growing year after year. There has also been a positive trend in attendance at the country's museums, including those located in the open air.
The participants focused special attention on improving the activities to preserve and enhance the unique spiritual wealth of our people, as well as the role of museums in such an important matter. In this regard, great importance is attached to the comprehensive work on the protection, restoration and monitoring of the condition of hundreds of historical, cultural, archaeological and architectural monuments in all velayats. Scientific research is being conducted at the sites.
During the meeting, there was an interested exchange of opinions on issues of further modernization of the methodology of organizing museology, studying material and spiritual values that have not only national but also universal significance. Reports were also heard on the accounting and storage of works of art, archaeological finds, the specifics of registering and preserving ancient weapons, the rules and procedures for placing exhibits, as well as the introduction of a digital system in museum work.
It was emphasized that today new methods and advanced technologies are being actively introduced into the organization of museum work, and the legislative framework in this area is being improved in the country.
As part of the forum, a methodological meeting was held at the Culture House of Kaka region with the participation of creative workers from folk theaters, drama clubs and theater studios of the Ahal velayat. In the evening, artists from the Kaahka etrap folk theater were invited to show the play "Şükür bagşy". In this production, the main character, Shukur, went to a foreign country to free his brother from captivity, taking a dutar with him instead of a weapon, since he preferred peace to violence. Believing in the power of music, he won the competition and achieved the release of his older brother.
The celebrations continued at the Culture House of Anew City, where a joint concert of groups from the special arts school and children's art schools of the Ahal velayat took place.
It should be noted that the creative and life path of our outstanding artists, bagshis, musicians and poets is especially important for nurturing a love for national culture, art and literature in the younger generation.
The cultural centers of the city of Anew, Baherden and Gokdepe etraps will also open their doors to masters of culture and art, musical and dance groups, including children's groups, from the cities of Ashgabat and Arkadag, Ahal, Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap and Mary velayats.
Participants of the Culture Week 2025 will give guests unforgettable impressions. Performances by popular performers and young talents, exhibitions of paintings, works of decorative and applied art, manuscripts and musical instruments, screenings of opera and theater productions, new films shot by Türkmenfilm Association named after Oguz han, methodological meetings, seminars, a media forum, creative meetings, poetry evenings are planned.
The events organized within the framework of this campaign will not only demonstrate the various facets of national culture, but also outline current areas of further work to enrich and reveal its enormous potential for the purpose of thorough study, popularization in the world of national heritage and transmission to future generations.
