Today, a significant date is solemnly celebrated in Turkmenistan - the 78th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.
May 9 is one of the most expensive and sacred holidays. The events of those years, the formidable forties of the twentieth century, go further into history, fewer and fewer living witnesses remain. But the memory of this difficult time does not fade. In May days, it knocks on the hearts of veterans and on the souls of those who know about that terrible war only from the stories of their grandfathers and fathers. Too high a price has been paid to be able to forget today about the exploits of our compatriots in this fierce war.
The Turkmen people made a worthy contribution to the Great Victory. During the harsh war years, thousands of brave Turkmen citizens, along with representatives of other fraternal peoples, did not spare themselves, fought at the fronts, showing unparalleled courage and heroism. Among them is the great-grandfather of the head of state and the grandfather of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov - Berdimuhamed Annayev, whose life path still serves as a model of true patriotism, valor and devotion to duty for young people.
Thousands of our compatriots were awarded military orders and medals for courage and bravery shown on the battlefields of one of the most merciless wars in the history of mankind. Over a hundred Turkmen dancers were awarded the high title of Hero. The glory of the valiant and brave ancestors who defended the freedom and independence of the Motherland is inscribed in golden letters in the historical annals of the people, the names of national heroes are immortalized in the commemorative editions "Hatyra" and "Şöhrat".
On the eve of the significant date, meetings with war and labor veterans, thematic exhibitions, concerts, solemn assembly lines, etc. were organized everywhere in the educational institutions of the country.
... In the early morning, according to the established good tradition, in order to honor the memory of those who died in the name of a brighter future for present and future generations, numerous Ashgabat residents and guests of the capital gathered at the “Halk hakydasy” Memorial Complex. Young warriors, successors of military traditions of the Turkmen people, patriotic orders of our courageous ancestors stand in the Guard of Honor.
Here, at the “Milletiň ogullary” monument, we pay tribute to those who died for the Motherland, at the “Baky şöhrat” memorial - to those who died in the Great Patriotic War, and at the “Ruhy tagzym” monument - to the victims of the Ashgabat earthquake.
Especially crowded today is the monument to the soldiers who fell in the Great Patriotic War - a sacred place of military glory and national sorrow. Hundreds of people came here at the call of their hearts to pay tribute to the memory of their fathers and grandfathers, who defended the world from fascism, defended the freedom and independence of the Motherland, its right to a happy future.
On the square of the Ashgabat Memorial complex "Halk hakydasy" the National Anthem of Turkmenistan is played, announcing the beginning of the solemn ceremony. Its chords are replaced by the sounds of a melody in which the people's grief for the fallen defenders of the Fatherland is expressed.
Paying deep respect to the heroes who fell in the war of 1941-1945, members of the “Khalk Maslakhaty”, deputies of the national parliament, heads of military and law enforcement agencies, representatives of public organizations, honorary elders and gray-haired mothers, representatives of labor collectives, as well as residents and guests of the capital.
In a matter of minutes, beautiful flowers covered the foot of the Monument with a fragrant carpet. A company of the Guard of Honor passed in front of the Memorial in a parade march, minting a step.
Veterans are proud of their Motherland, the President of the country, the young generation living in peacetime, before which brilliant prospects are open. After all, for this they fought with the enemy.
Festive celebrations took place all over the country today. Residents of cities and villages, paying tribute to the valiant defenders of the Fatherland, laid bouquets of flowers at the monuments erected in honor of the national heroes who died a heroic death in the war of 1941-1945.
To the glory of the unprecedented feat of our fellow countrymen, not a repetition of those terrible trials, an active peacekeeping policy pursued by Turkmenistan under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has become.
Our origins, national heritage are a reliable foundation on which Turkmenistan is building its happy future in a new historical era. And one of the unshakable foundations of the Turkmen society will always be the memory and the sacred tradition of honoring the national heroes, among whom are the participants in the battles of the most bloody Great Patriotic War.