Today in the capital, an exhibition of carpets and carpet products was held, as well as the XXV Conference of the World Association of Connoisseurs of Turkmen Handmade Carpet Weaving timed to coincide with the Turkmen Carpet Holiday, which is annually celebrated on the last Sunday of May. The events, organized in honor of Turkmen carpet weavers, provided a wonderful opportunity to popularize the national heritage, familiarize the wider public with the achievements of the country's carpet industry, and strengthen cooperation with potential foreign partners.

The Turkmen Carpet Holiday glorifies the national heritage of the unique ancient art of carpet weaving created by our people throughout their history. These celebrations embody loyalty to the spiritual legacies and values of ancestors, continuity of distinctive national traditions, and high respect for the labor of female carpet weavers who create the world-renowned Turkmen carpets.

The patterns of Turkmen carpets reflect the history, philosophy and worldview of the Turkmen people. Carpets, striking the eye with their beauty, elegance, diversity and stunning harmony of colors, embody the remarkable qualities and national characteristics of our people.

It is deeply symbolic that carpet ornaments have become integral elements of the state symbols of independent neutral Turkmenistan. They represent the unity and cohesion of the Turkmen people, serving as a vivid testament to loyalty to the legacies of ancestors, pride in their achievements, and confidence in a bright future.

Carpet guls also serve as an important element in the decorative finishing and architectural appearance of the white marble capital. It should be noted that the Ashgabat International Airport was entered into the Guinness World Records in September 2016 for the architectural feature of its passenger terminal, named "The Largest Gul."

Thanks to the noble initiatives of the Hero Arkadag and the tireless efforts of the country's President, carpets, which are an indispensable attribute of Turkmen daily life, have been recognized as a beautiful monument of cultural heritage in the treasury of universal human values. Proof of this was the decision to include traditional Turkmen carpet making art in the Representative List of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The main celebrations in the capital took place at the National Museum of Turkmen Carpet. Here, an exhibition of classic and modern original works of national carpet art unfolded. A colorful scene of the creative labor of carpet weavers and the continuity of carpet weaving traditions was presented on the open-air square adjacent to the museum.

The festive atmosphere was supported by performances of musical groups, in whose bright compositions the exquisite Turkmen carpets were glorified.

The solemn opening ceremony of the exhibition was attended by the Chairman of the Mejlis, heads of ministries and agencies, heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in our country, representatives of public organizations, and the media.

The assembled audience listened attentively to the welcoming address of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, in which it was noted that magnificent carpets woven by talented and skillful Turkmen women, admired worldwide for their filigree craftsmanship and the interplay of natural colors, embody a model of beauty in the treasury of human civilization.

Carpets are the adornment of the home hearth and our heritage: the technique of their creation has been perfected over many centuries, thanks to which they have embodied unique national elements and become an attribute of the Turkmen people. Such an ancient art, created by the skilled hands of our grandmothers, mothers, women, and girls, is recognized worldwide, the congratulatory message from the head of state emphasizes.

The main highlights of the exhibition organized for the holiday were the beautiful carpets and products woven by skilled artisans at the enterprises of artistic carpet weaving of the State Association "Türkmenhaly" and in private workshops.

Unique pure wool and silk carpets, modern carpet products created by combining ancient methods with advanced technologies, palas weaving products, various souvenirs, and authentic examples of decorative and applied arts amaze the imagination.

Also at the exhibition were works by Turkmen entrepreneurs engaged in carpet weaving. Visitors’ attention was drawn to their carpet products, distinguished by beauty, elegance and unique artistic execution. Among the exhibits were magnificent classical ornamental and narrative carpet pieces, as well as works of relief weaving. It should be noted that among them were new skillful samples recreated based on reproductions of ancient Turkmen carpets.

The colorful panorama of the exhibits gave guests the opportunity not only to view numerous carpets and carpet fabrics but also to gain an understanding of the ancient origins of national traditions, the features and character of the distinctive Turkmen culture, to familiarize themselves with the extraordinary diversity of directions in the world-renowned art of Turkmen carpet weaving, as well as the history of our people.

As part of the celebrations, female workers of carpet enterprises were honored. According to the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan, on the occasion of the Turkmen Carpet Holiday, they were awarded the honorary title “Türkmenistanyň at gazanan halyçysy” for great merits in the development of the national art of carpet weaving in the independent neutral Homeland, for glorifying to the world the unsurpassed beauty and filigree craftsmanship of Turkmen carpets, which are the pride of our people, for adorning carpet fabrics with artistic ornaments, and taking into account conscientious, selfless labor over many years and professionalism.

The awardees gratefully noted that the tireless care for the preservation and enhancement of the national heritage is one of the most important aspects of state policy. They expressed heartfelt gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for his special attention to ensuring favorable conditions for their creativity and for nurturing young talented craftswomen who reverently inherit the secrets of the ancient craft.

In the afternoon, the XXV Conference of the World Association of Connoisseurs of Turkmen Handmade Carpet Weaving was held in the conference hall of the State Association “Türkmenhaly.” During the meeting, which brought together representatives of domestic specialized structures, figures from science and education, culture and art, members of global scientific and business circles, scholars, and carpet connoisseurs from various countries, reports were presented on the history, present day, and prospects for the development of Turkmen carpet weaving.

The speeches emphasized the role of the Turkmen carpet in the life of our people. It was noted that the carpet is a national treasure and pride of the Turkmen, it enchants with its unique beauty and elegance. Our grandmothers and mothers have preserved to this day the original carpet patterns that appeared in deep antiquity, passing them down from generation to generation. Turkmen women and girls, using carpet guls, depicted the beauty of the Turkmen steppe, mountains, and plains covered with red flowers and green grasses, as well as the surrounding reality.

Natural dyes play an important role in embodying the beauty of Turkmen carpets. The color and shine of carpets woven with their use become brighter and more beautiful year after year and do not lose their quality. Turkmen carpets have a five-thousand-year history, which testifies to the high consciousness and rich culture of our people. The refined and beautiful carpets impress with their variety of colors and patterns.

Turkmen carpet weaving art has long been recognized worldwide as a valuable and beautiful form of art. Ancient carpet samples are exhibited in museums, exhibition halls, and art galleries in many countries. Turkmen carpets have gained great fame worldwide, delighting lovers of national values.

The production infrastructure of the domestic carpet industry is being modernized in order to widely popularize the unique craft of carpet weaving and preserve ancient fabrics. As noted, true masters of the high art of hand carpet weaving in the era of the Revival of the new epoch of the powerful state realize new creative ideas. The unique carpets they create decorate the halls of government complexes, cultural centers, and other buildings and facilities.

Speaking about the contribution of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, to the popularization of ancient national traditions, the speakers noted that thanks to his fundamental books on the eternal beauty of handmade carpet fabrics, “Living Legend” and “Heavenly Beauty,” the world has rediscovered such an ancient and at the same time modern art as carpet making.

The forum then continued its work in the sections “Halyçylyk sungaty – milli mirasymyz” and “Geçmişden eşidilýän ýaň türkmen halysy”.

At the conclusion of the celebrations on the occasion of the Turkmen Carpet Holiday, participants of the carpet and carpet products exhibition, as well as the XXV Conference of the World Association of Connoisseurs of Turkmen Handmade Carpet Weaving, adopted a letter of gratitude addressed to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, expressing appreciation for his active care in developing and enhancing the glorious traditions of national carpet making art and for the favorable conditions created to expand international cooperation in this field.

Meetings, exhibitions, scientific conferences, creative competitions, concerts, and other events were held throughout the country in honor of the Turkmen Carpet Holiday.