Ashgabat continue to gain the reputation of an international venue for the events of the particular kind and significance, i.e. elevating the destination of mankind to live and create in peace, harmony and concord. Today the International Children’s Festival in Ashgabat has become such an event. Over 700 talented children participate in this flashing holiday of children’s art. The fact of holding such a representative children’s forum in Turkmenistan is a result of the Turkmen President’s special attention and concern for physical and intellectual development of a younger generation.

The children are getting acquainted with the Turkmen capital. They visited the National Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Turkmen Carpet.

For many children, especially our foreign guests the Festival is not only a serious examination for mastership but also the first meeting with Turkmenistan, its ancient culture, rich traditions and peculiar customs. To a larger extent it explains the sincere and keen interest that the children showed in numerous expositions of the city museums, which keep the unique collections testifying to the ancient history and rich culture of the Turkmen people. With sincere admiration the children talked about the pieces of workmanship, national costumes and national musical instruments.

In the afternoon the Nebistchi chidkren’s health-improving centre became the centre of numerous events and festivities. The children took part in the sports competitions and intellectual contests organized by the Ministry of Education. In the evening the young artists from Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates and the People’s Republic of China and the hosts of the Festival performed the concert on the open-air stage of the children’s centre. The young artists performed the dancing compositions and songs presenting their bright talents to numerous spectators.

The versatile programme of the Festival includes a variety of the events and activities aimed at improving children’s health. The children’s centre in Geokdere given at the disposal of the Festival participants provided a unique opportunity of recreation.

The participants of the children’s art forum will meet with the artists of Alp Arslan National Youth Theatre and the State Puppet Theatre. The children’s plays will be performed specially for the young guests.

On this day the young painters will attend the first classes. The young artists will picture the beautiful parts of Turkmen nature on the canvases. The artistic groups from the Republic of Turkey, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia and Turkmenistan will perform the concerts

The organizers of the international forum prepared the wonderful presents for the participants – rucksacks, caps and T-shirts with the emblem of the Festival. The gifts are the colourfully illustrated booklets about the present day of Turkmenistan, happy childhood of its young citizens.