“Mary is the cultural capital of the 2012-Commonwealth. History and modern times” is the name of the book published in Moscow with the support of the Intergovernmental Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of the CIS member states.
The comments to the book say that ‘this illustrated book about the historical and cultural significance of the city for the world civilization since the times of the Ancient Merv and the Great Silk Road till the present days’.
The book will allow the readers to learn more about the Turkmen people’s traditions and culture that is caused by the increasing interest to the country that has achieved a rapid progress in the economic, social and cultural development and won an international authority.
The fact that Turkmenistan possesses a strong voice, its original part in the united chorus of the CIS cultures, its unique face in the multifaceted family of the peoples of the world is stipulated by the faithfulness to the spiritual roots, careful preservation of the national heritage, centuries-old original traditions created by our ancestors’ wisdom.
Particular attention in the book is paid to the significance of the city in science as Merv attracts the interest of many archeologists from all over the world. The Turkmen-Russian archeological expedition led by Professor Viktor Sarianidi has worked in the area of the old delta of the Murgab River for more than 40 years, two Italian expeditions of the large scientific centres in Rome and Venice conduct systematic researches there. Moreover, an international project with participation of the Institute of Archaeology, the University College London is implemented in the ancient settlements of Merv. The large-scale work is carried out with the Ancient Merv State Historical and Cultural Reserve.
The book provided the information about the most significant monuments in Merv, including the unique architectural monument of the V-VI centuries well-known as Haraba-koshk representing a rare type of the early Christian churches, about a mysterious cave city on the right bank of the Murgab River nearby Tahtabazar, about fortresses, an evidence of the heroic past of the Turkmen people as well as about the sights that immortalized the glorious events and names, for example the mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar.
The title of a book chapter “The kindness of neighbourhood” vividly demonstrates the Turkmen people’s character. It concerns the neighbourhood on a street, in a settlement as well as in the world. The wonderful results of the mutual influence of cultures are demonstrated by example of Bayramali, where the positive interaction of the Muslim and Christian confessions made a significant contribution to the history.
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A number of foreign periodicals dedicate their publications to the 2012 CIS cultural capital. A popular Russian social and political journal “Za Rubezhom” (Abroad) published an article entitled “The eastern capital” dedicated to Merv.
The article touches upon the hypothesis proposed by Professor V. Sarianidi that Merv was the Motherland of the fire worship, where the founder of the Zoroastrism Zarathustra lived and the first temples of fire were built. The article tells about the developed culture of ancient Merv, prominent scientists, who made discoveries that passed ahead the course of the world science.
But the most important thing about the city is its people, toilers and workers. Particular attention is paid to them in the context of that Merv covered with the legendary glory of Turkmen rulers, military leaders, scientists and poets has always been a city of masters and skillful craftsmen.
The comments to the book say that ‘this illustrated book about the historical and cultural significance of the city for the world civilization since the times of the Ancient Merv and the Great Silk Road till the present days’.
The book will allow the readers to learn more about the Turkmen people’s traditions and culture that is caused by the increasing interest to the country that has achieved a rapid progress in the economic, social and cultural development and won an international authority.
The fact that Turkmenistan possesses a strong voice, its original part in the united chorus of the CIS cultures, its unique face in the multifaceted family of the peoples of the world is stipulated by the faithfulness to the spiritual roots, careful preservation of the national heritage, centuries-old original traditions created by our ancestors’ wisdom.
Particular attention in the book is paid to the significance of the city in science as Merv attracts the interest of many archeologists from all over the world. The Turkmen-Russian archeological expedition led by Professor Viktor Sarianidi has worked in the area of the old delta of the Murgab River for more than 40 years, two Italian expeditions of the large scientific centres in Rome and Venice conduct systematic researches there. Moreover, an international project with participation of the Institute of Archaeology, the University College London is implemented in the ancient settlements of Merv. The large-scale work is carried out with the Ancient Merv State Historical and Cultural Reserve.
The book provided the information about the most significant monuments in Merv, including the unique architectural monument of the V-VI centuries well-known as Haraba-koshk representing a rare type of the early Christian churches, about a mysterious cave city on the right bank of the Murgab River nearby Tahtabazar, about fortresses, an evidence of the heroic past of the Turkmen people as well as about the sights that immortalized the glorious events and names, for example the mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar.
The title of a book chapter “The kindness of neighbourhood” vividly demonstrates the Turkmen people’s character. It concerns the neighbourhood on a street, in a settlement as well as in the world. The wonderful results of the mutual influence of cultures are demonstrated by example of Bayramali, where the positive interaction of the Muslim and Christian confessions made a significant contribution to the history.
A number of foreign periodicals dedicate their publications to the 2012 CIS cultural capital. A popular Russian social and political journal “Za Rubezhom” (Abroad) published an article entitled “The eastern capital” dedicated to Merv.
The article touches upon the hypothesis proposed by Professor V. Sarianidi that Merv was the Motherland of the fire worship, where the founder of the Zoroastrism Zarathustra lived and the first temples of fire were built. The article tells about the developed culture of ancient Merv, prominent scientists, who made discoveries that passed ahead the course of the world science.
But the most important thing about the city is its people, toilers and workers. Particular attention is paid to them in the context of that Merv covered with the legendary glory of Turkmen rulers, military leaders, scientists and poets has always been a city of masters and skillful craftsmen.
