The tallest flagstaff in the world was erected at a height of 133 metres in Ashgabat. The solemn ceremony of hoisting the national flag of Turkmenistan at the height recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records was held in the south of the Turkmen capital. Vice President of Guinness Book of World Records Mr. Craig Glenday arrived in Ashgabat to take part in the ceremony and certify the record.

The ceremony held on the square in front of the National Museum of Turkmenistan brought together the deputies of the Mejlis, the high-ranking officials of the ministries and departments, the representatives of the public organisations, journalists, students and the top managers and specialists of the Polimeks Company, who had mounted the flagpole.

The marches and patriotic songs performed by the Orchestra of the Guard of Honour and music groups of the Ashgabat Department of Culture added solemnity to the ceremony.

The official ceremony of hoisting the national flag of Turkmenistan started with the march of the Guard of Honour carrying the giant National Flag 52.5 x 35 meters in size weighing 420 kg in their arms. To the accompaniment of the national anthem of Turkmenistan the magnificent green banner soared up to the heavens inspiring the participants of the ceremony and filling them with the pride in their Motherland and the present day of the Turkmen nation.

Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, who with incoercible vigour and tireless activity sets an example of fortitude and selfless service to the people, says, “Nowadays Turkmenistan occupies a worthy place in the world community, a road to the happy future is open to us but we have to work hard to be worthy of it”. It is symbolic that the national flag at the world’s tallest flagpole soared up on the birthday of the Turkmen leader, who was on a visit to Tatarstan and received the congratulations from the heads of the states and governments there. These heartfelt wishes are the recognition of the outstanding services of the Turkmen leader, who spares no effort for great revival of the Motherland. Today, the favourable conditions have been created in Turkmenistan so that the proud and diligent Turkmen people enjoy the life reaping the fruits of their labour.

After the flag reached the top of the flagpole the participants of the ceremony congratulated one another. The elders offered up the prayers giving their blessing to the good action. The National Flag of independent Turkmenistan – a symbol of the statehood, pride and honour of the Turkmen state, evidence of the establishment of the lofty ideals of patriotism, morality in our minds and new revival of the Turkmen nation is streaming in the boundless sky.

Henceforth, the Guinness Book of World Records (new edition) will contain the photo of the flagpole with the National Flag of Turkmenistan indicating its size and noting that it is the tallest flagpole in the world. Upon completing the official ceremony Vice President of the Guinness Book of World Records Mr. Craig Glenday said that this fact had been registered in the Guinness Book of World Records and awarded the certificate recognising the achievement.

It is the second of Turkmenistan’s achievement registered in the Guinness Book of World Records. Several years ago the hand-made Turkmen carpet Turkmenbasynyn Kalby was recognised as the biggest carpet in the world. Mr. Craig Glenday said that it was his first visit to Turkmenistan and he was greatly impressed with the beauty of the Turkmen capital, its modern buildings and cosy parks and squares.