Today, heads of states and honoured guests participating in the international events, held in the Avaza national tourist zone, visited the Festival of national dishes of member countries of the CIS and Islamic Republic of Iran.

The original culture of countries-participants of CIS with its variety and uniqueness is based upon historical generality, and affinity of spiritual and cultural values. Today, a large-scale work on preservation and popularisation of the richest heritage of ancestors, an integral part of which are national culinary traditions act, is carried out. In the given context, the present holiday has become an effective platform for development of the cultural diplomacy aimed at all-round consolidation of bonds of friendship and brotherhood between people, mutual enrichment of cultures and popularisation of their unique property.

The head of the state and honoured guests were given a cordial welcome, according to traditions of Turkmen hospitality.

Further, the President of Turkmenistan and heads of high-ranking delegations familiarised with the exhibition of states-participants of the CIS and IRI held there.

The exposition, which has become an embodiment of link of times - the past and the present, opens new possibilities for the deepening of cultural relations.

On the exhibition platforms, performances of creative collectives of member countries of the CIS and Iran were organized.

In specially equipped places, the head cooks showed their skill and treated visitors to traditional dishes. It gave the chance to familiarise with rich and original ethnic cuisine of friendly states, and with history, culture and life of their people.

Along with presentation of national dishes of friendly countries, the Festival is urged to underline the significance of traditional cuisine as a key component of non-material cultural heritage. Connected with centuries old ceremonies, festivals and traditions of hospitality, national entertainments reflect unity of people, continuity of generations and mutual respect.

Then, head of the state Serdar Berdimuhamedov and heads of high-ranking delegations passed onto the exhibition platform of Turkmenistan.

There, performances of workers of culture and art of our country took place. Visitors familiarised with the exhibition where vegetables and gourds, fruits, articles of applied and decorative art and the process of preparation of national dishes on the basis of the book «Bereketli türkmen saçagy» («Turkmen dastarkhans») were displayed.

As known, the Turkmen dastarkhans – an important component of national culture reflecting original traditions and customs of our people. Today, masters of culinary art protect and with pride share primordial secrets of preparation of dishes.

The culinary traditions of our people formed throughout centuries, differ with its originality. Being important ritual of cultural life and an embodiment of foundations of good neighbourhood, cookery art is carefully revived now, harmoniously combining century traditions and present trends.

In the given context, one should point out the importance of the book «Bereketli türkmen saçagy» («Turkmen dastarkhans») where generous entertainments of Turkmen sachak are in details described.

At the same time, the exposition of fresh vegetables presented at the Festival, gourds, fruit and berries visually shows the growth of volumes of output of domestic agricultural products, expansion of its assortment that testifies to the strengthening of food abundance in the country.

Then, following primordial traditions of hospitality of our people, head of the state Serdar Berdimuhamedov and heads of delegations were invited for the dastarkhans laid in the specially established yurt «Ak öý» where honoured guests were offered dishes of Turkmen kitchen.