The resolutions President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov issued on the eve of the New Year’s celebrations are another important step towards developing international humanitarian co-operation, preserving and studying the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Turkmen people. In 2008, over twenty international scientific forums and festivals will be held in the capital city and the regions of Turkmenistan bringing together numerous guests from different countries worldwide in the ancient Turkmen land.

The fact of holding so many large-scale and important events vividly testifies to the special significance that the Turkmen government attaches to development of national science and culture. Moreover, this fact proves the steadily increasing interest of international community in the great Turkmen history and culture, modern Turkmenistan that has gained recognition worldwide as an international scientific and cultural centre in the epoch of independence. The best evidence of that – the vast ‘geography’ of the representative international forums held in Turkmenistan in recent years. The forums brought together the coryphaei of world science, who had spent many years of their lives working in the ancient Turkmen land.

Inscription of Ancient Merv, Kunya Urgench and Nisa on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the monuments of universal value is a natural result of the policy of the Turkmen state heading for revival of the national spiritual values since the first days of sovereign development. This fact was regarded in Turkmenistan as well as worldwide as the Turkmen people’s contribution to the treasure of world culture.

The coming international forums to cast new light on the 5,000-year history of the Turkmen nation will enable to open its new pages to the present generation of the Turkmen people and international scientific community as well as be a powerful incentive to develop fruitful co-operation in this field. Turkmenistan will hose the scientific conferences devoted to the life and creative work of the outstanding Turkmen scholars, philosophers and poets – Najmeddin Kubra, Mahmyt Kashgari and Magtymguly Fragi and the ancient historical monuments of Dehistan. The music and movie festivals, the art and jewelry exhibitions expanding the international contacts in the spheres of culture and art are of particular importance. Children will receive an opportunity to demonstrate their talents. The international children’s art festival will be held in Ashgabat and the picturesque town of the children’s health-improving centres in Geokdere on August 1-7.

These events will provide our numerous guests with an opportunity to get acquainted with the grandiose reforms implemented throughout the country in the epoch of its new revival, the epoch, which has given a powerful incentive to maintain versatile international scientific and cultural exchange, to enhance fruitful humanitarian co-operation.

It is not occasional that the future international conferences and festivals have aroused intense interest among the Turkmen scientists and cultural workers and their foreign colleagues from all over the world. Thus, there is every reason to say about representative participation to the forums as well as their potential success.