At the extended meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers which took place on July 9 and devoted to results of development of branches in the first half of the year, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov designated the actual tasks which national culture faces, having underlined that their solution should correspond to requirements of the time.

Defining a number of tasks for future, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov charged to develop in mass-media advocating -educational work with a view of increase of awareness of population of digital economy and information security.

Today in Turkmenistan there are all conditions for revealing and training of the talented youth. The network of specialised schools, rural recreation centres grows in profile educational institutions new chairs is opened. During the current year in structures of the Ministry and branch departments were set up departments «Digital technologies and information security». In the higher and secondary professional educational institutions the new specialities today are opened, modern techniques of training are introduced.

So, during the online meeting on February 7, possibilities of organisation of work of branch establishments according to requirements of time, preservation for descendants of centuries-old cultural heritage of our people, musical-song art, traditions and customs in their primordial form were considered.

Among the primary goals President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov defined an extended coverage of achievements of Fatherland and transformations in its development for years of independence, preparation of video clips-presentations, art, TV and documentary films, improvement of quality of transmission broadcast of TV and radio channels, strengthening of personnel potential of sphere, organisation for experts of culture establishments of methodical seminars.

A solemn dedication to the motto of 2021 took place on January 11 in the Mukam Palace of the State Culture Centre with participation of members of the Government, heads of the Ministry, departments and establishments of profile sphere and mass-media, rectors of high schools, workers of art and culture.

An actively work on development of the fruitful cultural-humanitarian dialogue with world countries proceeds. In the first half of the year various online international creative actions, including a concert of orchestras of national musical instruments of Turkmenistan and Turkic speaking states, the international scientific -practical conference «History and culture of architectural art», competition of drawings «Bagtyýar çagalyk» in which, along with young talents of our country, their contemporaries from foreign states, the international competition of sculptors took part, were carried out. Also in the Turkmen capital the mobile exhibition of Japanese dolls was organised.

The further development of the fruitful dialogue with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) interaction with which is one of priorities of the policy of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in the sphere of international cultural-humanitarian cooperation, got a new impulse.

In the given context the fact that on April 15 the Memorandum of cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and UNESCO for 2021-2023 was signed, is indicative. To expansion of productive contacts with this authoritative organisation, definition of perspective directions of work and its aiming at concrete result, a number of meetings and video meetings were devoted.

On May 19 in the Ministry of Culture the video meeting devoted to inclusion of the Turkmen capital in the Network of creative cities of UNESCO in the category "Design" in which course the sides exchanged opinions on development of the long-term program concerning cooperation between the Network cities, ready to invest in culture and social integration, took place. As known, in May corresponding nomination application of the city of Ashkhabad was officially accepted by UNESCO Secretary. The final decision on this point under question will be sounded by the General Director of UNESCO on the threshold of celebrating of World day of cities which is marked on October 31.

On May 22 in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the third session of the National commission of Turkmenistan for UNESCO affairs was held. Process of preparation preliminary nomination file for inclusion in the List of the World cultural heritage of historical monuments and in the Representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity of felt art and forge craft, Turkmen tazy and the hunting falcon became a point of issue.

Celebrating of the 140^th anniversary of Ashkhabad became a significant event of the half-year. In honour of anniversary of the capital numerous celebrations, ceremonies of commissioning of new objects of different purposes, concerts, exhibitions, poetic readings, creative competitions, presentations, forums, sports meets and ecological actions were organised. Special expositions were developed in the country’s museums. In dedication to the country’s chief town new songs, poetic products, performances and films were created.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov showed an example for representatives of creative sphere, having written a wonderful poem «White city - Ashkhabad». Set to music by the grandson of the head of the state – Kerim, it became an inspired song-dedication to our beloved capital.

On the threshold of City Day the outcome of the festival-competition of short cinema «Ashkhabad spring» was summed up. The key purpose of review - search of talents and assistance to creative self-expression and consequently to participation in it were invited both professionals, and all wishing to present his sight of our beloved capital, how it has changed for years of independence. Thereupon retrospective demonstration of domestic films «Ashkhabad in motion picture art» which in such format has passed for the first time in the cinema "Ashkhabad" from May 10 to May 16 was also remarkable.

The creative gifts were prepared by all domestic theatrical collectives for the holiday. Within the festival-competition organised on May, 12-16 «Turkmen theatrical art» displays of premier performances took place. In a cycle of anniversary actions it is necessary to note the Festival of vocal -choral music. In the Centre of public organisations on May, 20 one more creative competition for the best articles about achievements of Ashkhabad, the best poetic products glorifying the white marble capital, and also the photo works reflecting history and modern city were summed up.

Representatives of many states congratulated Turkmen nationals on the significant date - the 140^th anniversary of Ashkhabad. On that occasion online meetings with heads, workers of the sphere of culture and art of foreign countries, including twin-cities of Turkmen capital, the international forums were organized. The creative marathon continued on May 21 at the Monument «White city - Ashkhabad».

And the final of the competition «Art of creation of the dutar, play of the dutar and art of bakhshi » was devoted to preservation and popularisation of the heritage took place in the first decade of April in the Mukam Palace of the State Culture Centre.

The Week of culture-2021 traditionally dated by Day of art and culture workers marked on June 27 and also poetry of Mahtumkuli Fragy became the visible evidence of blossoming national arts, productivity of undertaken steps on preservation and wide popularisation in the world of rich national heritage was held in Lebap region.

Within the creative action concerts, exhibitions of fine art and crafts, publishing production, thematic meetings took place. Online conferences and methodical meetings, devoted to topical issues of preservation, study and popularisation of historical and cultural heritage, and also modern achievements were also held.

The Week of culture included a premiere of the opera «Gul - Bilbil» in the National music-drama theatre named after Mahtumkuli, performance «Saz rowaýaty» in the State music-drama theatre named after Seyitnazar Seydi in Lebap region and also display of films of different genres which were made by Association "Turkmenfilm" named after Oghuz khan.

Participants of the forum familiarised with historical and natural sights of the region. The big holiday of poetry was held in the geneshlik Lamma of Khalach district - native village of poet Seyitnazar Seydi.

The gala concert in «Türkmeniň ak öýi» became a finishing chord of the creative action. We will remind that solemn opening of this large scale original complex intended for organization of large cultural actions, took place within the Week of culture-2021 with participation of the President of Turkmenistan. The commissioning of the International airport in the city of Kerki and the cultural-entertaining centre «Çagalar dünýäsi» in Farab district also was dated for this event.

At the aforementioned extended meeting of the Government which took place on July 9, the head of Turkmenistan also gave commissions on preparation at modern level state and cultural events, first of all the celebratory and dramatized celebrations in honour of the 30^th anniversary of independence of Fatherland.

Developing a humanitarian -cultural contact, our countries thereby provide continuity of traditions of good neighbourhood, mutual understanding and sympathy to each other. A regular dialogue in the field carries out special mission: this adjustment of complex, multilateral interaction of cultures, and popularisation of the richest spiritually-historical heritage of the people of Central Asia, modern achievements in the field of literature, arts, cinematography, and encouragement of wide creative contacts.

Avaza national tourist zone hosted on August 6 the third Consultative meeting of heads of the states of Central Asia and a concert of art and culture workers of five countries and a number of other creative actions. They reflected aspiration of independent neutral Turkmenistan to new heights of friendship with the states-neighbours in the region.

It is necessary to note that Presidents of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan gave appreciation to the solemn concert of masters of culture and arts of the countries of Central Asia, which fulfilled the main task which consists in assistance to propagation of cultural-cultural wealth of fraternal people and perfection of creative contacts between workers of the given sphere.

Among actions for immediate prospects - competition summarising «Türkmeniň Altyn asyry» among figures of literature, culture and art, young executors and exceptional children. This annual review on competition of the award of the President of Turkmenistan promotes professional growth of creative figures, revealing of talents, familiarising of youth with treasury of national culture.

As leader of the nation of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov marks, «culture raises consciousness of people, their labour activity, it is the mighty consolidating force rallying and inspiring the people into great causes». Conditions created by the state promote enrichment of primordial cultural traditions, augmentation of spiritual and creative potential of society.