The President of Turkmenistan signed a Decree on announcing the competition among individuals involved in literature, culture and art, young amateur singers and talented children for the awarding of the Prize of the President of Turkmenistan, Türkmeniň Altyn asyry. The winners of the competition will be determined in relevant nominations. Television contest for young amateur singers, Ýaňlan, Diýarym!, and the contest for young talented children, Garaşsyzlygyň merjen däneleri, were launched as part of the competition.

The events of 2017 reflected huge creative potential of national culture. Topical conferences, arts and book exhibitions, concerts, theatre performances, opening ceremonies of new social and cultural facilities marked important dates and national holidays.

The ceremonial closing of the Days of the Republic of Belarus Culture was held in Turkmenistan. The holiday ended with a concert of Belarusian and Turkmen artists under the arches of the majestic Palace of Mukams.

In the Mukams Palace of the State Cultural Center, it was held a solemn opening ceremony of the Culture Days of the Republic of Belarus in Turkmenistan. Large-scale campaign is dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations and held in accordance with the Cooperation Programme for the 2017-2020 period between the relevant ministries of the two states.

Vice-premier A. Garadjayev, who supervises the sphere of culture, informed about the preparation for the creative action at the government session. As it was mentioned, Days of Belarusian Culture are held in accordance with the Program of Cooperation for 2017-2020 between the Ministries of Culture of the two countries and timed to the 25th anniversary of the Turkmen-Belarusian diplomatic relations.

Conference hall of the Ministry of Culture held the award ceremony of the title of Honoured Elder of the Nation to famous sculptor, People’s Artist of Turkmenistan, teacher of the art school under the State Arts Academy Saragt Babayev who celebrated his 70th anniversary.

Three American conductors, Derek Beckvold, Avery Waite, Peter Thoresen, famous violist Kim Mai Nguyen, and students and teachers of the National Conservatory presented a musical Christmas gift to the people and visitors of Ashgabat.

During the Government session on December 22, Vice-premier A. Garajayev reported on the Programme of events and activities related with the slogan of the next year “Turkmenistan - the Herat of the Great Silk Road” as well as with the symbol of 2018.

Metropolitan Congress Palace hosted a final of the Youth Music Contest “Ýylyň parlak ýyldyzy-2017” (“Star of the year-2017”), which was attended by talented artists from all corners of Turkmenistan. Winners of the creative competition were determined due to the numerous TV audience and radio listeners who voted for their favorite artist, as well as the competent jury, which includes national music masters and cultural figures.

Festive shows will continue the New Year’s events that started in the Turkmen capital. Among them is the traditional tour of the circus artists from the Russian Federation, organized with the assistance of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, which started on December 17.