The next issue of the trimestrial popular scientific Miras Magazine published by the Institute of Language, Literature and National Manuscripts named after Makhtumkuli of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan has been issued. Addressed to a wide range of readers, the edition continues a series of publications on new discoveries and research results of the historical, cultural and spiritual heritage of the Turkmen people.

An Address by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to the people of independent neutral Turkmenistan on the occasion of the national holiday – the Day of Neutrality, as well as a New Year’s address to the Turkmen people open the publication.

The article “Formation of Oxymorons and Their Use” is presented in the traditional section “Discoveries and New Developments”, which tells about the poetry of the Turkmen language. The publication notes that a rich and perfect language is the main spiritual support of the national cultural heritage of the people.

In the same section there is the publication “The Pottery Art of Merv in the Epoch of the Great Seljuks”, where unrenowned information from history is presented in detail. The epoch of the Middle Ages was marked by outstanding achievements in all spheres of human society. Handicraft has reached a high level of development, especially pottery.

Specialists will also be interested in the material “New Archaeological Information about Iskendergala”, in which scientists of the Institute of History and Archeology tell about archaeological monuments located near the village of Iskender of the Bereket etrap of the Balkan velayat.

The article “The Image of Khatam Tai in Turkmen Folk Art”, placed in the heading “Interaction of Cultures, Peoples and Civilizations”, focuses on the mutual influence of cultures of the peoples of the East. Scientists who have studied folk art have emphasized that the contacts of Turkmens with Persians, Tajiks, Afghans, Indians and Arabs have left a noticeable mark in Turkmen folk art, especially in its fairy tales, destans, proverbs. Borrowed, reworked and perfected literary values have become firmly embedded in people’s lives.

Among the discovered archaeological rarities of the medieval period, a special place is occupied by products made of gold, copper and bronze. These are special-purpose items, household utensils, jewelry and much more. Thus, the publication “Bronze Finds of the Medieval Period” introduces the unique works of medieval bronze craftsmen.

Among the important topics of the next issue of the magazine is an article about the similarities and differences in the works of such outstanding poets and thinkers of the Turkmen people as Nurmukhammad Andalib and Makhtumkuli Fragi. As noted, Andalib made innovations in the form and language of versification, and Makhtumkuli - in the national character of versification, presenting new ideas and worldview, bringing the written language closer to the spoken language of the people.

In addition, the material pays special attention directly to the work of Makhtumkuli. As the author writes, Fragi’s poems are vast as the ocean, transparent as a spring, valuable as a diamond, expressive as a pearl necklace. That is why the prominent orientalist E.Bertels compares the poet’s work with the cup of Jamshid.

The “Chronicle of Scientific and Cultural Life” gives a review of the events of the social, scientific and cultural life of the country for the fourth quarter of last year.

This section reflects the current events of the Year “Turkmenistan is the Homeland of Peace and Trust”, demonstrating the consistency of the progressive peacemaking course pursued by the head of state Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the successful implementation of a socially oriented policy.

Numerous photo illustrations, including museum and archival artifacts, serve as an excellent addition to the texts of the magazine published in Turkmen, English and Russian.