Today, the exhibition of decorative-applied and mosaic arts of Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran was opened in Mary velayat.

It is remarkable that similar actions assume a special significance in the light of the foreign policy of our state aimed at development of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation with foreign countries. Traditional Turkmen-Iranian relations in the humanitarian sphere, reflecting aspiration of both peoples, which have been connected since olden days by historical and cultural commonalities, to the further strengthening of good neighbourhood and promotion of multilateral interaction, can serve one of its examples.

The present event acts as the next step in expansion of a multidimensional dialogue of neighbouring countries, which serves for peace, sustainable development and prosperity of our people, including important perspective areas.

A solemn opening of the joint exhibition took place in the building of the museum of history and local lore of Mary region, where representatives of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan and profile establishments, wide public, mass media, and workers of culture and art of our country gathered on that occasion.

The delegation of IRI included workers of art, national crafts, mosaic, decorative and applied arts.

Turkmen national melodies and songs performed by bagshy-sazandar added bright national colours to the festive atmosphere of the exhibition.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Turkmenistan Ali Mojtaba Ruzbehani, Cultural Attaché and Head of the Cultural Centre of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Ashgabat Navid Rasuli, who spoke at the opening ceremony, noted that the present action is aimed at consolidation of friendship, mutual understanding and a confidential dialogue of Turkmen and Iranian peoples, which have enjoyed an ancient history of good-neighbourhood.

Having expressed their gratitude to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov for his attention to development of bilateral relations, they marked with satisfaction that recent interstate relations are characterised with a growing dynamics, especially in trade, economic and humanitarian spheres.

As was underlined, the present event will promote further enrichment of cultures of our peoples, development of professional contacts of representatives of art and culture of two countries.

Visitors familiarised themselves with exhibits with great interest, where one could see works of arts and crafts, creativity, ceramics and sculpture, paintings, national crafts, including carpets, felts, tapestry, samples of national costumes and other articles of traditional life of Turkmens in all its diversity.

Craftsmen displayed and told with fascination of the process of manufacture of carpets and pottery, embroidery, various national instruments and work with wood and metal. There one could see a live link of times, spiritual heritage, continuity of original traditions, which are not only carefully preserved, but are also developed.

Our guests brought miniatures, various souvenirs and many other articles that makes up their national creativity, the history of which goes back into the depth of millennia, to the exhibition.

One should point out that Iran - one of the most ancient countries in the world with its rich cultural heritage where along with architecture, book miniatures and decorative-applied arts, which differ with their variety and sophistication of decorative motives, refinement of fabrics, carpets, jewellery articles and calligraphy gained their predominant development.

So, samples of refined hand painted vessels made by the technique of “minaqari” and mosaic by “hatamqari”, landscapes, unique book editions, samples of costumes and souvenirs, musical instruments, which reveal the rich history and art of Iranian people, became a highlight of the present exhibition.

Works executed in two styles of ancient techniques “toreutics“ – “Isfahani” and "Tabrizi" where vegetative ornaments, traditional symbols and plots of Persian miniature were applied, evoked a particular interest of visitors.

On the margins of the cultural action, a master class in mosaic art, in which its participants were familiarized with elements of production of mosaics, took place, they told of its role in the Iranian culture.

A large-scale action tuned into a bright and warm festival of friendship and creativity as well as promoted further development of the Turkmen-Iranian interstate dialogue.

In the evening, residents and guests of Mary were invited to the Kemine state drama theatre, where a concert with participation of musical groups of two countries took place.

A loud applause of spectators became a high praise of great skill of the actors who displayed adherence of our people to centuries-old traditions and customs.

On the sidelines of the cultural program, foreign visitors made an excursion to the Nisa national historical and cultural – an open air museum, which stores traces of the ancient civilisation harmoniously combining local cultural traditions and elements of Ancient Greek and Roman art.

Participants of the creative action familiarised themselves with history of study of monuments of Parthia, findings of archaeologists presented in the museum-reserve, and learnt of latest discoveries, which confirm a great value of these objects, demanding further research.

Tomorrow, the joint exhibition will continue its work.

The Iranian delegation will also visit the Ancient Merv national historical and cultural park and will see sights of the Turkmen capital.