A flower-laying ceremony was held in the capital of Turkmenistan at the monument to Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin to mark the great Russian poet's birthday and International Russian language day, traditionally celebrated on the 6th of June.
The event was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Turkmenistan, cultural figures, Ashgabat residents, teachers and students.
Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Turkmenistan Alexander Vasiliyev addressed the audience with a welcoming speech. The speech focused on a little-known but important chapter in the biography of the poet – his civil service in the Ministry of foreign affairs.
«We can quite say that Pushkin is no stranger to us and he is partly a diplomat. He was very multifaceted in his work, and everyone finds something in him for themselves at virtually any moment in their lives», – the Russian diplomat noted.
In this context, A.Vasiliyev drew a deep historical and cultural parallel that is understandable and close to every resident of Turkmenistan.
«The friendly Turkmen people understand this perfectly well, they have their own Pushkin here – this is Magtymguly Fragi, a man who made an invaluable contribution to the development of Turkmen culture and created the basis of the literary Turkmen language», – said A.Vasiliyev.
The festive program continued with a vibrant musical and literary performance prepared by students of the Joint Russian-Turkmen secondary comprehensive school named after A.S. Pushkin. The schoolchildren recited the immortal poems of the poet, performed a classic Russian romance, and presented an elegant ballroom waltz.
The participants of the event then laid bouquets of flowers at the foot of the monument to the poet, whose work has served as a strong bridge of friendship and mutual understanding between peoples for centuries.
