On May 16, the winners of the Turkmen Theatrical Art Competition were announced at the awards ceremony hosted by the capital’s Alp Arslan Drama Theater. One could meet there actors who had played the parts in the productions, now dressed in modern outfits. Awaiting the announcement of the results, the contestants spent those anxious moments differently. Some felt like being engaged in conservation and sharing their opinions, while others were lost in thought…
When playwright Govshutgeldy Danatarov appeared everyone sought to express their deep admiration for his impressive play ‘The Tree of Life’. The contestants took their seats and Professor Nurmukhammed Keshikov and People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Nurberdy Allaberdyev were invited on stage. The theater luminaries were to announce the winners of each category.
Each theater company received a participation certificate for taking an active part in the competition.
The consolation prizes were handed out to four contestants: three non-professional actors and a production designer: student of the Drama Department at the State Institute of Culture Yklym Begliev for his role of the boy in ‘The Legend about the Sultan’s Truth’; Khangeldy Ilyasov - for his portrayal of young Jelaletdin in ‘Sultan Jelaletdin’ by the Balkan Velayat Drama Theater; Kyabeshikh Bekiev - for his performance as the boy named Arslan in ‘Devotion to the Motherland’ by the Dashoguz Music and Drama Theater; and production designer of the Turkmen State Puppet Theater Kerim Nuryev for the set design of ‘The Dialogue of Epochs’.
The ceremony attendees were waiting in keen anticipation for the winners to be announced.
Shemshat Kasymova was named best actress for her performance as Perizat in ‘The Tree of Life’ staged by the Main Drama Theater.
The best actor award went to Andrey Pavlov for his role of Magtymguly in ‘Happiness of the Turkmen’ by the Pushkin State Russian Drama Theater.
Dilshat Melyaeva won the best supporting actress award for her role of Kichigyz in the Main Drama Theater’s ‘The Tree of Life’.
Mekan Annamuradov, a scenic designer at the Alp Arslan National Drama Theater, was presented with the award for best set design (‘Seyitnazar Seidi’).
People’s Writer of Turkmenistan Govshutgeldy Danatarov received the award for best play.
Dursun Taganova, an actress at the Lebap Velayat Drama Theater was the winner in the Young Talent category for her role of the granddaughter in ‘The Three Wise Men’.
The following plays won the competition: 1st place - ‘The Tree of Life’, the Main Drama Theater; 2nd place - ‘The Ode to Bravery’, the Magtymguly National Music and Drama Theater; 3rd place - ‘The Legend of Archman’, the Mary Velayat Drama Theater.
All the winners received commemorative certificates, gifts, earned thunderous ovations from the audience, and were celebrated by fellow actors, theater professionals and theatrical enthusiasts. Thanking for their accolades and positive recognition of their work, they assured that they would continue to promote the Turkmen nation’s historical and cultural heritage and spiritual values.
Tamara GLAZUNOVA
Photo: Meretdurdy ROZYEV
