NEWS

Turkmen Bagshies, Custodians of Turkmen Literature and Culture

The word «bagshy» (bak-shi) comes from the ancient Indian Sanscrit language which meant «clerk», but in the Middle Ages in the Turkmen language it acquired the meaning «the musician and singer», along with another Turkmen word «ozan» which meant « a story teller». So «ozan» and «bagsy» were the synonyms in the meaning of «a story teller and singer». They usually participated in different parties held in connection with wedding ceremonies, national holidays and during the celebration of different family events. In general Turkmens liked to listen to their performances of destans, folk novels and songs to the accompaniment of their two stringed musical instrument. The epics «Asly and Kerem», Sayatly and Hemra» «Gorkut ata» (The Book of my grandfather Gorkut») the heroic folk epic «Gorogly», «Asly and Kerem», Sayatly and Hemra», «Shasenem and Garyp» and others were the parts of Turkmen literature and culture.

21 October 2020

Culture

The artist’s soul is in his paintings

The works of this painter attract with colour and depth, the plots of his paintings, inextricably linked with the culture and ancient traditions of the Turkmen people, are full of life realism. At the end of June 2020, at the ceremony of awarding cultural workers and art masters who won the creative contest of the President of Turkmenistan entitled “Türkmeniň Altyn Asyry”, the high honorary title of the People’s Artist of Turkmenistan was conferred to Ishanguly Ishanguliyev. This significant event prompted me to acquaint myself with him and learn more about his creative activities.

10 October 2020

Culture

National pride of the people

President of TurkmenistanGurbanguly Berdimuhamedov:“Our people have reached glorious heights during the years of Sacred Independence.” An exhibition dedicated to the 29th anniversary of the independence of Turkmenistan has been launched at the State Museum of the State Cultural Centre. Among the invited guests were scientists and cultural figures of our country. The festive exposition consisted of literary works of the President of Turkmenistan, books dedicated to the national leader, works of fine arts, highly artistic carpets with plots, sculptural compositions, photographic materials and valuable collection of exhibits from the Museum of the President of Turkmenistan.

18 September 2020

Culture

Ornament – unique hanwriting of the people

Every traveller, returning from distant wanderings, seeks to take with him for memory some souvenirs made by the hands of a folk master, which will vividly revive in memory the joy of contact with the culture of the people, because this is part of the country he or she visited. By the way, souvenirs brought from different countries are the basis of many private art collections. Among the types of national decorative and applied arts of Turkmenistan, carpet weaving, of course, occupies a leading position, and world-famous Turkmen carpet ornaments are successfully used by craftsmen in the creation of almost all types of souvenir products. This is natural, because the traditional Turkmen ornament is the language of millennia; our ancestors used its symbols long before the emergence of writing. It is no coincidence that patterns appeared on clothing, textiles, household items, and even in the form of filigree carving in architecture.

18 September 2020

Culture

Young talents — the pride of the country

Final concert of the Garaşsyzlygyň Merjen Däneleri children’s contest The final of the children’s music and song contest entitled “Garaşsyzlygyň Merjen Däneleri” took place at the Mukam Palace of the State Cultural Centre.

11 September 2020

Culture

Ýaňlan, diýarym! reveals new talentsthe final of the popular vocal competition

The final round of the Ýaňlan, Diýarym! TV vocal competition of amateur young performers took place at the Ashgabat song and music centre in the capital city. The unique project, held each year on the eve of Independence Day within the framework of the Türkmeniň Altyn Asyry contest announced by the President of Turkmenistan, contributes to realising the creative potential of youth and giving young people access to the invaluable spiritual treasury of the nation and the richest musical culture.

4 September 2020

Culture

Turkmenistan – UNESCO: the chronicle of events

1993 – Turkmenistan was admitted to UNESCO as a full member. 1994 – Turkmenistan ratified the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. It has become a fundamental document for cooperation between our country and UNESCO.

7 August 2020

Culture

Culture – the soul and pride of the nation

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOV: “We highly evaluate the UNESCO’s assistance in safeguarding and promoting the rich cultural and historical heritage of Turkmenistan and unique natural sites of our country.”

7 August 2020

Culture

“Decorative folklore” – property of the people

Being based on the rich experience of the ancestors of the past centuries and the historical potential of local traditions and taking into account the trends and priorities of our time, today’s craftsmen and masters of ornament continue to develop and improve folk arts, enriching them with new content. The Turkmen ornament is the most valuable historical material, which has retained its oldest fundamental principle, and the most important source for studying the history and ethnogeny of the people who created it. One of the main reasons of the ornamental nature of Turkmen art is the worldview of a semi-nomadic ethnic group living in the harsh climatic conditions of the desert landscape. The greatness of the human for nomads is manifested in the ability to contemplate and to understand the Universe and the world around them on their own way. That is why the ornament is also called “decorative folklore.”

31 July 2020

Culture

Family Tradition

There are professions for which a person seems to be born specifically, that is, in fact, it is his fate. One of the such people is Dayanch Durdiyev, who works as a junior dog breeder in the recently established complex of the Türkmen Alabaý Itleri Economic Society, intended for selection and pedigree work, keeping and breeding of dogs of the alabay breed. Dayanch’s family has a special affection for these intelligent animals, characterised by unlimited courage, excellent watchdog skills, absolute trust and devotion to humans. Keeping alabays has already become a family tradition – they always have a place in their private home. The young man’s father, grandfather, great-grandfather and four brothers were engaged in this business, and he himself has two beloved pets in his care. Therefore, it is not surprising that D. Durdiyev passed a strict competitive selection for work at the Türkmen Alabaý Itleri Economic Society, where he has been working since September 2019.

31 July 2020

Culture