Today, on Remembrance Day, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov took part in the mourning ceremony of flower laying in the Memorial complex «Halk hakydasy», to monuments to victims of the Ashgabat earthquake of 1948 as well as national heroes who fell on the fields of battles of all wars.

The memory of the past, honouring of brave defenders of our native land and victims of natural calamities - one of the humane traditions of Turkmen people originating from the depth of millennia. This noble principle adequately proceeds in the Era of Revival of the new epoch of the powerful state that is of great importance in preservation of the heroic way of our ancestors, education of the youth in the spirit of patriotism for the present generation. On Remembrance Day sadakas are given all over the country, prayers for the peace of soul of heroes of our fatherland are read and funeral rites are performed.

… Early in the morning, our compatriots came to the Memorial complex «Halk hakydasy», which is located in the southwest part of the capital and a symbol of deep honour of national heroes.

The car of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov approaches the area before the Memorial complex. There valorous soldiers of the Guard of honour are lined. 

The head of the state along the carpet runner passes to the established place.

The National anthem of Turkmenistan sounds as to mark the start of the ceremony. It is replaced by the sad melody «Keçpelek», which has become an original musical expression of national grief of victims of natural calamity and the heroes who gave their lives for freedom of our native land.

Then, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov puts a wreath at the majestic monument «Ruhy tagzym», paying a tribute of memory to victims of the Ashgabat earthquake of 1948.

Tragic memoirs of the Ashgabat earthquake of 1948 - one of the most destructive in the history of humanity – still fill hearts of Turkmen nationals with grief.  The ruthless disaster at one instant fully destroyed the prospering city and its vicinities, carried away lives of thousands of our compatriots and left a pain of irreplaceable losses to each family. That terrible night Berdimuhamed Annayev - the great-grandfather of the head of the state who displayed heroism on fields of battles of war of 1941-1945, the man and teacher respected by all and devoted his life to education of the youth was also lost. Those who experienced the Ashgabat earthquake, showed a high example of selflessness, firmness and courage.

Thanks to successful realisation of the town-planning program initiated by National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and nowadays successfully carried out under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, in recent years Ashgabat has turned into one of the most beautiful cities of the world - a place of happy and peaceful life, the centre of regional and global cooperation, and venue of large international forums. Dreams of our ancestors of the bright future and destiny of Turkmen people were embodied in its new shape.

Reforms carried out in the country are aimed at modernisation of the capital as well as further development and prosperity of Turkmenistan, well-being of our people. In this regard, one should point out inclusion of Ashgabat in the Guinness Records Book as the city with a great number of white marble coated buildings in the world and in UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the “Design category”, membership of the World Tourism Cities Federation, awarding of the International Certificate to the city of Ashgabat for assistance and contribution to the initiative of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe "Trees in Cities Challenge" through greening campaigns as well as the unanimous decision of the Commonwealth of Independent States on announcement of Ashgabat as the «City of new sports possibilities of the Commonwealth». All these initiatives further strengthen the international authority of the country.

Further, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov laid wreaths of flowers at the feet of monuments «Milletiň ogullary» and «Baky şöhrat», erected in honour of Turkmen soldiers who fell in struggle against fascism and heroes of all wars, which were lost in battles for freedom of our fatherland, for happiness of the future generations. 

Thousands of our compatriots showed unprecedented courage and boundless love for the country on fields of battles of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. Among them was great-grandfather of the head of the state - Berdimuhamed Annayev, whose course serves today for the Turkmen youth as example of true patriotism and fidelity to one’s duty. Courage and fearlessness of our national heroes who protected our fatherland and gave their lives for freedom of their country and people – a great school for the younger generations of independent neutral Turkmenistan.

Then, wreaths and bouquets were laid by the Chairwoman of the Mejlis, deputy chairmen of the Cabinet, heads of military and law enforcement bodies, diplomatic representative offices and international organisations accredited in Turkmenistan. Heads and representatives of political parties and public organisations, ministries and departments, honoured elders, student youth, residents of the capital also joined them.

Memory - a spiritual component of life of the nation, it is a unique link between generations, which strengthens feelings of patriotism and solidarity, unites citizens of the country. As Hero-Arkadag in his speech at the regular meeting of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan noted, one of the principal causes of human happiness is reflected through national pride, in which basis - the glorious history of our people originating from the depth of millennia.

In that connection, it was proposed: to immortalise and inform the world community names of our outstanding historic figures; to organise the international scientific-practical conferences devoted to their lives and heritage; to create art, documentary films of Turkmen people; to prepare materials of lives of our people, its national and rich literary heritage. It is a visual evidence of high respect of memory of ancestors and their heroic way.

The President of Turkmenistan marked that today in our country - Remembrance Day, and we honour the memory of the deceased.

The head of the state also underlined that bouquets of flowers were laid in memory of those who are no more among us and wished that the prayers read and the sadakas given be accepted by the Almighty.

On completion of the memorial service President Serdar Berdimuhamedov left the place.

The flower-laying ceremony in the Memorial complex «Halk hakydasy», which took place today, became an expression of continuity of humane traditions of our great ancestors.

Today, remembrance ceremonies also took place in the city of Arkadag and in all regions of the country.