On 4 April 2026, the city of Gretz-Armainvilliers hosted a concert of Masters of Culture and Arts of Turkmenistan, organized by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in France jointly with the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, dedicated to the motto of 2026: “Independent, Permanently Neutral Turkmenistan – Homeland of Purposeful Heavenly Horses.” About this reports MFA of Turkmenistan.
The event brought together representatives of local authorities, cultural circles, the diplomatic corps, as well as numerous residents of the region, who showed great interest in the rich cultural heritage of the Turkmen people.
In his speech, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to France Maksat Chariev emphasized the importance of cultural dialogue as a foundation for bringing peoples closer together, noting that culture is a powerful tool for strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between nations.
The Ambassador expressed sincere gratitude to the Mayor of the city, as well as to Mr. Christian Bourdeille, Deputy Mayor of Gretz-Armainvilliers and President of the “France–Turkmenistan” Association, for their active participation and contribution to the organization of the event, which made it possible to present Turkmen culture to the French audience.
It was noted that 2026 has been declared in Turkmenistan as the Year of the Akhal-Teke horse — a national symbol of the country, while the art of its breeding is inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The concert program featured traditional musical and vocal performances, as well as appearances by masters of Turkmen art, allowing guests to gain a deeper insight into the country’s cultural traditions.
Particular interest was drawn to the exhibition organized within the framework of the event, where books by the President of Turkmenistan and the National Leader of the Turkmen people were presented, along with elements of the country’s cultural heritage, including carpets, handicrafts and national musical instruments.
Guests also had the opportunity to enjoy the sound of the dutar performed by a bakhshi — a traditional singer and bearer of oral heritage — and to discover samples of Turkmen national cuisine.
The event was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere and received high appreciation from participants and guests.
The concert marked an important step in the development of cultural cooperation between Turkmenistan and France and contributed to further strengthening the friendly ties between the peoples of the two countries.
