Today, the Chamber of commerce and industry held a ceremony to present the prize of children named after Gulbaba, which is awarded to the youngest of the country and most talented residents – winners of subject-specific Olympiads, intellectual and creative competitions, and sports competitions.

Organised by the Central council of the Youth organisation of Turkmenistan named after Magtymguly and the Ministry of education of the country, the event annually attracts hundreds of the most talented children under 18 from all corners of the country.

Traditionally, it takes place during the winter holidays and celebrations of the New Year. This year, the prize of children named after Gulbaba ceremony coincided with the New Year 2026 celebrations, whose motto is «Independent neutral Turkmenistan – the homeland of purposeful winged horses», adding to the joyful atmosphere.

The selection of participants for the award began in the velayats, at the city and village level. Every year we manage to identify many unique creative talents that the Turkmen land is rich in. Some of them are involved in amateur performances, having earned recognition among their fellow compatriots, others already have experience participating in various competitions, others are winners of school Olympiads and sports competitions, etc. The best ones get the right to participate in the state tour.

Today, the entire world sees Turkmenistan as a comprehensively and harmoniously developing country− a land of happy childhoods, where the most cherished dreams of young Turkmen citizens come true. The basis for this is the policy of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, aimed at ensuring the physical, intellectual, spiritual and moral development of the younger generation. The talented youth of today are the great future of our independent neutral Fatherland.

The development of imaginative thinking and artistic taste of children is facilitated by the organisation of various creative competitions, both national and international, as well as the participation of groups of children and youth from Turkmenistan in international competitions and festivals.

The head of state, who is known to pay close attention to the development of physical education and sports and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, is particularly concerned about engaging young people in these areas. The physical education and Olympic movements are expanding in the country, and the ranks of young athletes defending honour of Turkmenistan in international arenas are growing.

Under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who successfully continues the work of Hero-Arkadag, every day of the past International year of peace and trust of the era of the Revival era of the new epoch of the powerful state has been marked by remarkable achievements and events that are inscribed in gold letters in the modern annals of the country.

As is known, in December 2025, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov attended an awards ceremony for young people who won prizes at international subject Olympiads and sports competitions, as well as their teachers and coaches. This ceremony served as a clear demonstration of the state-level recognition of citizens who make a significant contribution to enhancing the prestige of the country on the global stage.

Ensuring a prosperous and happy life for children and creating all the conditions for the development of their talents and abilities − this is the goal of Arkadagly Hero Serdar, driven, above all, by his supreme responsibility for the fate of the Fatherland and its worthy future, which lies in the hands of boys and girls of today.

To ensure the harmonious development of the younger generation, modern educational, sports, cultural, educational, and creative centres equipped with the latest technology, primarily innovative multimedia and interactive systems, and cutting-edge equipment have been built and continue to be constructed in the capital, regional centres, and rural areas. In this regard, within the framework of the ongoing «National program of the President of Turkmenistan for the transformation of social and living conditions of the population of villages, towns, etrap cities, and etrap centres until 2028», large-scale work has been launched throughout the country to construct these socially significant facilities that meet modern international standards.

The event was preceded by a video screening dedicated to the creative legacy of the talented boy Gulbaba, who possessed a captivating voice and left an indelible mark on the history of Turkmen musical art. Despite his short life, he made a significant contribution to the national song and music heritage, reaching the heights of mastery and winning the sincere love of the people. The video featured several of his unforgettable songs, which have become true pearls of Turkmen culture.

In a solemn atmosphere, to the applause of the event participants, the names of the winners were announced, who were awarded valuable prizes and diplomas as competition laureates. Perhaps among them there are those who will become famous in scientific circles, for their successes in art, or for their sporting achievements, but most importantly, they will retain in their souls the desire for creation, self-expression, beauty, and goodness. It is they, the young talents of the era of the Revival of new epoch of the powerful state, who will soon take up the creative baton from the older generation and glorify their native Fatherland.

Constantly instructing the younger generation, Hero-Arkadag and Arkadagly Hero Serdar call upon children, first and foremost, to ardently love their homeland, respect their elders, and carefully preserve the spiritual ideals of their ancestors and the centuries-old traditions of the people, their heritage.

According to established tradition, the main New Year characters, Ayaz Baba and Garpamyk, congratulated the children on their well-deserved awards. Stage performances featuring characters from Turkmen folk tales and songs performed by the winners of the prize of children named after Gulbaba enhanced the festive atmosphere and the boundless joy of children. The children, using the language of performing arts, spoke about the joy of living in a country where their most cherished dreams and desires come true.

In their speeches, the competition winners sincerely and emotionally expressed gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, for their care and attention, and for the ample opportunities they created for study, creativity, recreation, and sports.

Happy children are our confidence in the future, our wealth. The faces of the children, illuminated with happiness, are not only a symbol of the prosperity of the Fatherland, which today is moving with the speed of a steed towards its intended goals, but also a guarantee of its wonderful future.