1998
On the 24th of April, a concert of masters of culture and art of Turkmenistan took place in the conference hall of the UNESCO headquarters located in the capital of France. The creative forum, which was held with great success in Paris as part of the joint celebration with UNESCO and TURKSA of the 300th anniversary of the birth of Magtymguly, attracted enormous attention from a large public.
The current action, which became the first major event of its kind, has introduced qualitatively new content to the progressively developing relations of Turkmenistan with the French Republic, both in a bilateral format and within the framework of authoritative international structures.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the concert, the Chairman of the UNESCO Executive Board, Ms. Vera El-Khoury Lyakoy, the Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Center, Mr. Lazar Eloundu Assomo, the General Director of TURKSOY, Mr. Sultan Rayev, as well as representatives of Turkmenistan emphasized that cultural exchange is one of the most important aspects of international cooperation , which contributes to the rapprochement of peoples and the mutual enrichment of cultures.
Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of the policy of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov in the field of preservation and development of national values, which gave significant impetus to bringing national culture to a new level and establishing the modern image of a rapidly developing country and the Turkmen people in the world. At the same time, the significant contribution of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Hero-Arkadag to strengthening relations of Turkmenistan with such authoritative structures as UNESCO and TURKSOY was noted.
As noted, the greatness of any nation consists of the greatness of the personalities it gave to the world. The poet of the human soul, of all hearts and all eras, the singer of the most beautiful, purest feelings, Magtymguly is the personification of the spiritual greatness of the Turkmen people, who over the course of many centuries was able not only to preserve the creative heritage of the classic, but also to give dynamics to the creative search in increasing and enriching the national language.
An elevated emotional intensity accompanied the entire concert, once again confirming that art has no boundaries. The concert program included works from the folk musical heritage, songs based on the words of the great poet Magtymguly Fragi, works by outstanding Turkmen composers – Nury Halmammedov, Danatar Ovezov, Nury Muhadov, classical and pop music, folklore and dance numbers.
The inspired composition «Türkmenistan» performed by People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Suhanberdi Orazberdiyev gave a high tone to the creative celebration. The audience appreciated the performance of the melody «Türkmen sährasynyň heňleri» and other works by the musicians of the chamber group of the State Symphony Orchestra of Turkmenistan under the direction of the young talented conductor Resul Gylyjov with thunderous applause.
During the concert, the audience had the opportunity to appreciate the amazing melody of national instruments, modern, classical and folk songs performed by Atageldi Garyagdyyev, Kerven Yovbasarov, Zuleyha Kakayeva, Yusup Geldiyev, Gurbanmyrat Bayjykov. Young singers Dunyagozel Begaliyeva and Dovran Shammyyev demonstrated their talent. Turkmen songs glorifying the Motherland, love, friendship and brotherhood touched to the depths of the souls of the audience who came that evening to meet the art of our people.
The ancient Turkmen folk dance «kushtdepdi» performed by the folklore dance group «Miras» and the composition «Türkmnen toy» gave a special bright color to the creative evening. The final chord of the evening was the song «Gel Türkmenistana».
In conclusion, the participants of the event expressed sincere gratitude to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, the head of Turkmenistan, the French side and UNESCO for the created conditions for organizing and conducting the current event, for the opportunity to familiarize the general public of a friendly country with the rich Turkmen culture, demonstrate its originality and unique flavour.
The enormous interest in our country was also confirmed by the exhibition, which presented dozens of exhibits from the fund of the Institute of Language named after Magtymguly, Literature and National Manuscripts of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan and the State Museum of the State Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan. Numerous guests who came to see Turkmen art were offered unique exhibits that reflected the development of decorative and applied arts.
It should be noted that the exhibition «Magtymguly Fragi and the cultural heritage of Turkmenistan» in Paris will continue to operate until 26th of April. The exhibition has already been visited by many residents and guests of the capital of a friendly state, including representatives of the younger generation, as well as experts in the field of cultural studies from various UNESCO member countries, who expressed their admiration for the uniqueness of the exhibits.
