Two remarkable holidays – 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence and 140th anniversary of its capital Ashgabat, which are observed this year, are united by close connection. For the last three decades, the city has changed more than for the entire past century.
There are many architectural masterpieces in Ashgabat, which is indicated by prestige international prizes and certificates. Thus, European prizes have been awarded for the architecture of public facilities to Ashgabat’s Wedding Palace (in “Best Public Architecture” category) Turkmenistan TV and radio Broadcasting Center (in “Highly Commended Public Service Architecture). The main decoration of TV Center, huge Oguzkhan Star has been registered in the Guinness Record Book as the biggest architectural image of star.
This is only of examples of combination of construction, architectural and design solutions with national symbols, which is seen everywhere from facades and interiors of building to decoration of bus stops. This is a combination of modern trends and national traditions, which gives a unique appearance to Ashgabat, in which monumental fountain and sculptural complex depicting the ancestor of Turkmen nation, legendary Oguzkhan and his six sons, sculptures of historical personalities at the Monument of Independence speak about ancient and glorious history. Sculptures of great thinkers and artists of the past installed in Inspiration Alley symbolize the succession of spiritual values.
Different facilities of Ashgabat have been registered 11 times in the Guinness Record Book. Every time, it described Turkmen capital in its own way. Ashgabat has been listed in this book as a city with biggest concentration of white-marble buildings (2013), which resembles neutral status of the country and its peace-loving. As is known, white color symbolizes light intents and solidarity from ancient times.
133-meter flagpole in Ashgabat, which has been registered in the Guinness Record Book as the highest flagpole in the world (2008) as well as singing of song “Forward, forward, only forward, my native Turkmenistan!” by the biggest number of people (more than 4,000 people, 2015) reflect creative spirit of the epoch.
The Altyn Asyr carpet, which was registered in the Guinness Record Book as the biggest handmade carpet in the world (301 sq. m, 2003), the main passenger terminal of Ashgabat International Airport with the biggest image of carpet pattern (705 sq. m, 2016), the biggest indoor Ferris wheel (57 m in diameter) in Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center (2012). The biggest sculpture of ahalteke horse in the Olympic village of the capital (2017) indicate careful attitude to cultural heritage and use of traditions in design decoration of modern urban construction projects.
Such records of Ashgabat as Water Sports Complex of the Olympic village with the biggest indoor swimming pool (2017), the longest cycling parade in one line with participation of record number of cyclists (2019) speak about big attention to the development of sports and promotion of the principles of healthy life style.
Ashgabat is a hallmark of independent Turkmenistan, which visually embodies the scale and dynamics of changes. Big architectural projects implemented these days are to strengthen the status of Ashgabat as one of most beautiful and developed cities of the world.
Ogulgozel Rejepova
Photo by Yuri Shkurin
