Today, the grand opening of Culture Week took place in the city of Balkanabat, the administrative center of the country’s western region, at the Türkmeniň ak öýi building. The event coincided with the widely celebrated Day of Cultural and Art Workers and Magtymguly Pyragy Poetry. This large-scale creative event, demonstrating the rise of national art, which plays a vital role in enriching the people’s spiritual world, to a new level of development, contributes to the meaningful events of the year “Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses”.
A Welcoming Address from President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was read at the beginning of the celebration. As noted in the Address of the head of state: “Culture Week, which has become traditional, is of paramount importance in the development of national culture, art, and literature. We are confident that the current cultural event in Balkan velayat will allow us to fully reveal the facets of Turkmen culture.”
Members of the Government, heads and representatives of the Ministry of Culture and its subordinate institutions, higher creative educational institutions, public organizations, media outlets, cultural figures and artists, and students participated in the ceremony.
Cultural forum participants viewed a large-scale exhibition in the foyer of the “Türkmeniň ak öýi”. Museum treasures, works of fine and applied art, and various books and printed materials were on display. The central focus of the exhibition was the remarkable works of Hero-Arkadag and Arkadagly Hero Serdar.
Then, a festive concert of artists took place in the magnificent building of the “Türkmeniň ak öýi”. Renowned theater artists, popular pop singers, and bakhshi musicians performed. Inspiring songs and melodies harmoniously combined with rousing performances by dance and folk groups.
The Culture Week Programme includes a variety of public events designed to write new pages in the annals of this year, every day of which is filled with significant events. This vibrant celebration of the arts, uniting creative individuals, inspires them to create new works.
A special place in the Culture Week Programme is given to the motto of 2026, which marks the 35th anniversary of the sacred independence of the Fatherland. Each event is accompanied by colorful numbers performed by artists, musical groups, and folk groups, reflecting important events in the life of Turkmenistan.
In the modern era, creative professionals make a worthy contribution to the country’s comprehensive development. Festive performances by masters of the arts and young performers – winners of national creative competitions – inspirationally celebrated the achievements of our country, confidently moving toward new heights of progress, the successes resulting from the monumental transformations initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Hero-Arkadag, and consistently continued under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the happy lives of the Turkmen people.
Every day of the year “Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses” is filled with historic moments reflecting the high patriotic spirit of our people and the commitment of the younger generation to traditional national values.
Following the concert, a feast-sadaqah was held in the mass festivity building located next to the “Türkmeniň ak öýi”. The event celebrated the success of the extensive work of the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Hero-Arkadag, and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as the prosperity of the Fatherland and the well-being of the people.
As part of Culture Week, a meeting was organized between experienced creative figures of the country and young people just discovering the world of art. During the conversation, a lively exchange of views took place on the work of prominent Turkmen literary figures, contemporary writers, and poets.
A scientific and practical seminar was also held on the key areas of implementation of the State Programme for the Development of the Library Sector and the Creation of Electronic Publications in Libraries. Participants discussed ways to address the challenges posed by improving the work of national libraries.
Furthermore, a methodological meeting of museum specialists was held at the Balkan Velayat Museum of History and Local History, where the experience of implementing a digital system in museums and enriching museum collections was discussed. In this regard, the importance of fruitful cooperation between the country’s museums was noted. The meeting participants expressed their sincere gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Hero-Arkadag for the conditions created by the state for improving museum affairs in line with the demands of the times.
As is well known, Turkmen land hosts such unique historical and cultural monuments and sites as Altyndepe, Namazgadepe, Gonurdepe, Anau, Ancient Merv, Kunya-Urgench, Ancient Nisa, Paryzdepe, Shahrislam, Abiverd, Dehistan, Sarakhs, and Darvaza. These sites serve as a valuable source of information for the study of ancient civilizations, the development of cultural ties, and an understanding of Turkmenistan’s place in world history.
The Week’s annual events, which have become a well-deserved tradition, continued at the Saparmurat Turkmenbashi Oil Workers’ Culture Palace in Balkanabat with a festive concert featuring artists from Ashgabat and Arkadag, as well as Ahal velayat.
The artists’ performances added vibrant colors and a unique flavor to the festival. This large-scale cultural event, which has launched in the country, is also of great importance in nurturing the younger generation in the spirit of love for the rich national heritage, art, and literature, and in fostering the creative talents and abilities of young people.
