On March 21, the Turkmen people celebrated the International Day of Novruz in the uplifting and joyous atmosphere. By tradition, the valley in Akhal, covered with fresh green grass after spring showers, was the main venue for the celebrations. The approach road leading to the venue was decorated with many-colored flags on either side. A procession of buses and automobiles with event participants and guests proceeded to the venue, where a Turkmen village with all its unique features: yurts, outdoor trestle-beds covered with carpets, yards with domestic animals, steaming cauldrons, spread out. Peculiarities of its “geography” were highlighted by workshops and typical stalls crowded with people, like in old days it was in bazars, which appeared along trade routes between cities, countries, regions. At the main entrance to the “Yaila” area, noisy groups of children were enjoying themselves playing folk games. Aromatic smells of the dishes cooked nearby, filled the air. Sounds of the dutar (national musical instrument), cheerful voices, songs and laughter were heard around. Among the event participants were Cabinet Deputies Chairman, leaders of Mejlis, ministries and agencies of Turkmenistan, public organizations, heads of the diplomatic missions accredited to our country, guests from different corners of the world. With the first accords of a cheerful melody, the vivid, spectacular and merry Turkmen toi (feast) marked the arrival of Novruz – New Day, New Year. Actors of the Magtymguly National Musical and Drama Theater and students of the Turkmen State Institute of Culture jointly presented an impressive performance telling about the history of Novruz rites. The theatrical performance lifted the spirits of everyone, filled their hearts with the feeling of unity and pride, and opened the festival of the Turkmen people’s traditions. Yurts, representing all regions of the country, together with pavilions and open-air stages, lined up along the central path, which turned to a magic tablecloth with delicious food, fruit, dishes of the national cuisine, cooked by the best cooks and culinary experts on the spot. All the guests were offered to taste a main ritual Novruz dish – semeni. Vibrant voices were heard at high swings, decorated with garlands of flowers and surrounded by young people. A ride on the swing is regarded as ritual cleansing, which enables to welcome the New Year with fresh energy, pure heart and good intentions. Spectacular combats of wrestlers (palvan) with cheers from supporters are associated with something good and inspiring. National games – yaglyga tovusmak, duzzum, and others, as well as circus and humorous performances brought many positive emotions to numerous spectators. Turkmen falconers and their hunting birds evoked keen interest. They, as well as adorable young camels and lambs were heroes of the natural theatrical-ethnographic panorama. Flocks of sheep, grazing nearby in green spring meadows and guarded by alabai dogs added to the atmosphere of the traditional Turkmen village of farmers and cattle breeders. Then a concert was held with participation of our country’s masters of art. Its program included literary-musical and folk-ethnographic compositions, dances, lyric folk songs and modern songs glorifying the epoch, Magtymguly Fragi dreamed of – the epoch of power and happiness, the epoch of Arkadag-Hero. Performances of renowned and young bagshi (folk singers) added particular charm to the colorful festivity, at which old melodies and songs interlaced with modern popular songs. The concert ended with the “kushtdepdi” dance, symbolizing the new circle of life and the sun – the source of life and light. The concert came to an end, but the merry celebration in the valley of Akhal as well as the ones countrywide went on. Festive concerts and mass cultural events were held in all administrative centers of our country’s regions and Ashgabat city.