Today, in the building «Türkmeniň аk öýi», located in the valley «Nowruz ýaýlasy» in Ak bugday etrap a solemn ceremony on the occasion of announcement of Anau city as cultural capital of the Turkic world in 2024 took place and a start for cultural events planned to be held according to the honourable status delegated to the city was given.

The project «Cultural capital of the Turkic world» is urged to open the potential of culture of Turkic people and to acquaint with their heritage. It assumes annual concentration of creative resources in various cities of Turkic speaking countries, creation of colourful, rich and various humanitarian actions based on strong historically developed links and the ongoing dialogue today between original cultures of sovereign states.

Turkmenistan for the second time as the country of cultural capital of the Turkic world has an opportunity to draw the attention of scientific and creative intelligence to the ancient history and rich national culture and display modern achievements on the way of progressive development.

In 2015, this status was received by Mary city where with great success various actions aimed at strengthening of interaction of Turkic speaking states, consolidation of bonds of friendship of fraternal people took place.

As known, the decision on announcement of 2024 as the «Year of the great poet and thinker of the Turkic world - Magtymguly Fragi» and the ancient Turkmen city of Anau – as cultural capital of the Turkic world of 2024 was adopted at the meeting of the Permanent Council of TURKSOY held in Bursa city of the Republic of Turkiye. It testifies to recognition of efforts of our country as the state, which sets forward international humanitarian initiatives as well as to the huge cultural potential of our fatherland.

«Today independent neutral Turkmenistan, consistently increasing partnership with states of the planet and international organisations, remains committed to the status of permanent neutrality that allows promoting successfully the systematic course of maintenance of peace, friendship and brotherhood bonds on the global scale. Within the target cultural policy, which bears a growing dynamics and put to forefront the cultural-humanitarian dialogue with members of the world community, especially with Turkic states», as is marked in the welcoming message of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to participants of the present ceremony.

Development of fruitful relations with TURKSOY is one of the important areas of the policy of National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty Hero-Arkadag, which is successfully implemented today by the head of the state.

The recent meeting of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic states in Ashgabat testifies to an active role of Turkmenistan in development of multilateral cooperation with this structure.

In the new book by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov «Änew - müňýyllyklardan gözbaş alýan medeniýet» thoroughly and fully narrates the glorious past, cultural and spiritual traditions of Turkmen people developed in the course of centuries, concrete historic facts are also provided.

Both in Akhal velayat as well as in all regions of the country, the great attention is given to monuments of national history located in its territory and its spirituality. Belonging to different archaeological epochs and ethno-cultural traditions, they unite the historical memory, which has become a spiritual pillar of the nation, binding generations on the basis of principles of continuity, patriotism and respectful relation to the great past of the Turkmen land, its heroic and talented people.

These lands hide layers of ancient civilisations: namely at the foothills of Akhal, first farmers began to cultivate wheat and here rose the origin of the legendary Akhal-Teke breed of horses.

The current year, the motto of which is «Fount of Wisdom of Magtymguly Fragi», actions devoted to the birthday anniversary of the outstanding poet and thinker all over the country and abroad. Their overall objective – facilitation of further popularisation of literary heritage of Fragi, deepening of scientific researches in this area, attraction of attention of the international scientific-literary circles in the poetic and philosophical world of the great Turkmen classic. His immortal poetic works, humanist views have made a huge impact not only on the life of Turkmen in XVIII-XIX centuries, but also on all people of the East.

… Today in the valley «Nowruz ýaýlasy» the atmosphere of big Turkmen toy where members of the Government, heads and representatives of the Khalk Maslakhaty and Mejlis, ministries and sectoral departments, public organisations, mass media as well as diplomatic corps accredited to Turkmenistan gathered, prevails.

Among guests of honour - heads of the International Organisation of Turkic culture, Organization of Turkic states, Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic states, Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, International Turkic Academy, profile ministries of member countries and observers of TURKSOY as well as creative and scientific delegations, which arrived for participation in the upcoming international scientific conference «Ancient Anau culture», the media forum «The Turkmen land - the centre of ancient civilisations» and the international conference «Basic areas and potential of development of tourism in Turkmenistan».

Workers of art and culture welcomed guests and participants of the event with their song and music programs.

There yurtas, which represent all regions of the country were located. Each of them became a scene for mini-performance, action of which was developed both inside traditionally decorated premises and outside where women, conveniently having settled down on trestle beds, prepare national dishes and sweets. Not far from there, needlewomen are engaged in needlework, embroidering dresses, skullcaps, weaving carpets and making felts. Everything is like in the real life of ancient Turkmen settlements, which invariably emerged on most active trading routes.

Here are also the pavilions developed by representatives of foreign states participating in the present action, which displays all abundance of works of decorative and applied arts and crafts, national crafts, self-made subjects of life and other relics of the past. The dutar, karnay, sunray sound which invites all to the holiday.

Close to yurtas tamdyr, ovens and cauldrons are established. A stream of smoke from cauldrons rise into the sky where entertainments are made, tablecloths are laid wide and dastarkhans are filled with sweets.

Nearby caravans of camels loaded with huge bales, allowing the present at the ceremony to plunge into the remote past when on circuitous routes, generally named Great Silk road, delivered various goods.

The dramatized Turkmen wedding, which was always accompanied by picturesque ceremonies, which have become an integral part of way of life of Turkmen, attached to spiritual-cultural roots and primordial family values became an original highlight of the festive event.

Along with recreated detailed dramatized rituals everywhere folk songs that have come to us from time immemorial and modern variety songs sound. Wishes of prosperity and wellbeing to our beloved land and all Turkmen people, good health and long life to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov sound.

Monuments of history and culture, being invaluable national property, reflect spiritual-historical experience of people, landmarks of Turkmen statehood and attest to the contribution of our ancestors to development of world civilisation.

In today's celebration big breadboard models of such monuments as Nisa, ancient settlement of Paryzdepe, fortress of Abiverd and mausoleum of Mane baba, mosque of Seyit Jemaletdin and others are presented.

In the dramatized play actors play characters of archaeologists, including Raphael Pumpelly who was one of the first in the world to recognise Anau culture. Here archaeological finds, among which pottery, wheat grains «ak bugday» are also displayed.

Ancient melodies performed by the bagshy became a remarkable background for the improvised action. At some distance, children with enthusiasm play children's national games. The athletes demonstrate their youthful prowess and dexterity in the competition yaglyga towusmak. In a word, here the real festival with all traditions inherent in it and joy was developed.

Indispensable participants of all celebratory events of Turkmen - skilful equestrians and skilled racers. Brave Turkmen equestrians on magnificent horses under music showed matchless skill, having presented mass of delight and bright impressions and storm of emotions. Kingly stature and hot agility precisely corresponds to the gallant posture and passion of equestrians.

One should note importance of national values and noble customs originating from time immemorial. Noble principles, centuries-old national traditions are enriched according to the spirit of the age and embodied in various forms of art creativity.

On the platform in front of the building «Türkmeniň аk öýi» an extensive multiplane exhibition of works of artists, masters of fine, decorative and applied arts of Turkic people was developed.

This gallery also included samples of ceramics and sculpture, carpet products created in the best national traditions, authors of which are both famous Turkmen masters and young talents.

The part of the exhibition consists of the bright, impressive photos of stories and modern life of Turkic people, expressing its rhythm and mood at diverse angles.

In this context, the photo panorama presented here reflecting the scope, success and reasonableness of town-planning policy of the President of Turkmenistan, aimed at increase of standard of living of the population, creation of high-grade conditions for work and rest of people especially impresses.

The head of the state pays much attention to continuity of best traditions of national culture. Careful preservation, study and augmentation of cultural property of the nation are a priority of socially focused state policy aimed at prosperity of Turkmen society, increase of its spiritual and mental potential.

Then in the building «Türkmeniň аk öýi» the gathered heard the welcoming message of the President of Turkmenistan in which it is underlined that cultural actions, organized by TURKSOY today in Turkmenistan and Turkic states, serve as the factor of strengthening of pillars of friendship.

Speaking of importance of the present event, Secretary General of TURKSOY Sultan Rayev and Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Kubanychbek Omuraliev expressed deep gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people Hero-Arkadag for fine conditions created for creative exchange and special attention to development of cultural and spiritual life of society. They hoped that all planned actions will pass at a high organizational level and will present long lasting impressions and serve development of humanitarian cooperation between people.

Then. A big festive concert of masters of art of Turkmenistan and a number of Turkic speaking countries and regions took place. In the basis of the impressive events, which take place on the background of decorations, the idea of dialogue of cultures, friendship of people, and their creative union is put.

The literary-musical composition «Oguzlar ýurdunda toýdur dabara» in joint execution of the folklore ensemble «Dokmaçylar» and creative groups of the country in which indissoluble links of the past and the present, great achievements of glorious ancestors of Turkmen and achievements of the present epoch of the Turkmen state were underlined, became an original overture of the concert.

The program also included national and modern melodies and songs, choreographic and dramatized compositions reflecting original age-old customs and traditions of different people. Having incorporated in one colourful bouquet, they became a real gift for spectators warmly welcoming talented actors in bright national costumes.

On the stage, the songs created on verses of Magtymguly Fragi and others Turkmen poets sounded.

Choreographic collectives - «Hazyna» from Kazakhstan and «Dilgir» from Kyrgyzstan displayed their national dances on the stage. Actors from Republics of Bashkortostan and Sakha (Yakutia) from the Russian Federation, Moldova (Gagauzia) devoted the compositions to their native lands.

Compositions performed on national classical instruments by Turkish and Uzbek ensembles of traditional music sounded melodious and different in genre and character.

The magnificent vocal and brightness of national dance distinguished with performances of ensembles «Altyn garagöz» (Republic of Turkiye) and «Buhoro mawjlari» (Uzbekistan).

The musical composition «Bilezik» in joint performance of dancing group "Meňli" with actors of theatre of dance and fashion «Edegeý» from the Republic of Tyva (Russian Federation) became an unusual highlight of the concert.

Visual choreographic images replacing each other with stage plays were created by groups «Galkynyş», «Näzli», «Laçyn», «Miras», «Serpaý», «Aşgabat» and others.

Variety singers caused the storm of bright emotions. Through stylistic unity of music and song actors conveyed to listeners national spirit and sincere warmth, indestructible friendship of people.

The concert differed with a variety of genres reflecting the richest potential of Turkmen art and people of Turkic states.

The warmth of hearts, talent, which actors gave to spectators, found warm response, and use of modern technologies gave to the festive concert special brightness and originality.

At the end the dance kushtdepdi, which has reached to us from time immemorial, was performed. This impressive performance underlined an antiquity of roots and creative force of unification of fraternal people.

The powerful finale of the celebration became the song «Alkyş Size, Arkadagly Gahryman Serdarymyz!” performed by all participants of the festive action and it reflected a great pride of people of the present happy epoch of our fatherland, which heads towards the bright future. In this composition, soloists and all participants of the concert on behalf of Turkmen nationals expressed gratitude to the head of the state Serdar Berdimuhamedov who displays indefatigable and active care of maintenance of peaceful life and constructive labour of our people.

The cultural action started today in the valley «Nowruz ýaýlasy» in Ak bugday etrap was an indicator of aspiration of people to further development of mutually enriching links, which have deep historical roots and noble traditions. And as the President of Turkmenistan marks, similar actions held at the international level, serve triumph of peace, friendship and brotherhood on the planet.

Within the cultural program for visitors of our country excursions to one of the famous monuments in the territory of Akhal velayat - mosque of Seyit Jemaletdin constructed in the XV century as well as to the modern city of Arkadag answering to the international standards were organised and guests also familiarised themselves with other sights of the Turkmen capital and Akhal velayat.