Celebrating the beauty of the Akhal-Teke horse through art is no easy task. With their refined harmony and stately grandeur, these graceful horses have inspired poets, artists, and masters around the world for centuries. The recent international events, the results of which were announced in the Netherlands, once again demonstrated that the image of the “heavenly” horses remains an inexhaustible source of inspiration in world art.

The creative competition, designed to showcase how the image of the Akhal-Teke horse is expressed in contemporary art, brought together prominent cultural figures from Turkmenistan, students, and foreign masters. Each of them sought to convey their pride in and admiration for the legendary breed through the languages of painting, sculpture, carpet weaving, jewellery-making, and photography.

The work of Arslan Atakhanov, a lecturer at the State Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan, received high recognition from the jury in the “Painting” category. His canvas depicts a snow-white horse adorned with traditional national ornaments against the backdrop of the Independence Monument, while white doves soaring in the clear blue sky symbolize the country's independent and neutral status. In his work, the artist subtly conveyed the essence of the year's motto: “Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses.”

Carpet weaving—one of the principal treasures of Turkmen culture—also attracted considerable interest from the jury. In this category, the work of Ogulmaral Amanjayeva, Chief Specialist of the State Association “Türkmenhaly,” was recognized as the best. Second place was awarded to Bahar Pirgulyyeva, a lecturer at the Department of Carpet Weaving of the Academy of Arts.

The evolution of the image of the horse in traditional carpet weaving reflects its special role in the destiny of the people—in their past, present, and future. It is no coincidence that the theme of historical and cultural heritage resonates so vividly with the poem by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, “The Pride of the Turkmen,” in which the carpet is portrayed as a heritage of centuries:

“As sacred as the warmth within a mother's heart,

Within it, the soul of the steppe blossoms, untouched by adversity.

Our exquisite carpet is the heritage of centuries,

A testament to the glory of our people.”

The international status of the competition was further emphasized by the participation of foreign masters. The winner in the “Photographic Art” category was Vitaliy Osovsky, a Ukrainian artist and photographer and a member of the International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding, who works in the rare hippological genre of equestrian portraiture.

In the “Sculpture” category, Patyk Patykov, a lecturer at the Academy of Arts, was recognized as the winner. In jewellery-making, where exquisite precious horse equipment was evaluated, first place was awarded to Arslanmyrat Sakhedov, a lecturer at the Turkmen State Special Art School.

All laureates of the competition were awarded monetary prizes. Sharing their impressions, the winners emphasized that such high recognition of their work had become a symbolic creative gift on the occasion of the glorious anniversary—the 35th anniversary of sacred Independence. They noted that this success, as well as the promotion of Turkmen horse breeding together with national art onto the international stage, had become possible thanks to the comprehensive support and care of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov.