The second academic semester has begun in the country’s educational institutions. According to an established tradition, the first academic hour in all schools and universities is devoted to the motto of 2026 — “Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses.” This slogan, which has become the spiritual guideline of the year, combines the inviolable sovereignty of the Motherland, its international status, and a legendary heritage oriented toward the future.
The symbolism of the motto is especially relevant on the eve of the 35th anniversary of the sacred independence of Turkmenistan. The image of the steed personifies the creative energy of the people and the rapid pace of state transformations being implemented under the leadership of the esteemed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, based on the wise initiatives of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag.
Special emphasis during the lessons was placed on the uniqueness of the Turkmen school of horse breeding. International recognition of the originality of the “heavenly horses” was marked by the inclusion of the nomination “Art of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding and Traditions of Horse Decoration” in UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This decision underscores the high significance of the centuries-old experience of Turkmen horse breeders and the unique traditions of the filigree mastery of preparing and training steeds, passed down from generation to generation.
For Turkmen youth, the development of the horse-breeding sector serves as a vivid example of the continuity of times. Today, the state is creating unprecedented conditions for the scientific and professional growth of young specialists — from the activities of the Aba Annaev International Academy of Horse Breeding to the operation of high-tech equestrian sports complexes. The combination of ancient methods of folk selection with the latest scientific achievements is a priority of state policy.
In the year marking the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence, the first lesson became a call to responsibility for the younger generation. The sense of purpose embedded in the year’s motto is intended to inspire students and schoolchildren to new intellectual achievements. Faith in one’s own strength and fidelity to ancestral traditions form the foundation on which young people are building the future of a prosperous Motherland.
