An exhibition of paintings and sculptural works by Turkmen artists has been launched at the Museum of Fine Arts on the occasion of the memory day of the victims of the Ashgabat earthquake. 73 years have passed since the devastating moment in which the peacefully sleeping city found itself. Many Turkmen artists at different times were worried about this topic. This is a tribute to the memory of the innocent victims - young, talented, different - who have gone into oblivion at the whim of the natural elements.

In the center of the exposition there is a sculpture of the laureate of the Magtumkuli Prize, People's Artist of Turkmenistan Juma Dzhumadurdyev "Disaster". The sculpture is made in a dark brown color - the color of the earth wet with tears and blood. Tragic and expressive, it conveys the horror of the actions of the ruthless element, cracking down on people as if they were worthless blades of grass.

Honored Artist of Turkmenistan Annamed Khodzhaniyazov in his painting "Earthquake" captured the moment between the aftershocks, when young people, most likely students, were lucky enough to get out of the dormitory into the courtyard. They are confused - the situation is such that they do not know what their next step should be. A distraught young woman, clutching her baby to her breast, runs to no one knows where. She does not know that further the same horror as here, and maybe worse.

In the painting "A Difficult Time", Honored Art Worker of Turkmenistan Movlanberdy Mukhammedmuradov portrayed a situation that contradicts the traditional Turkmen burial rites, in which only men participate. But the hopelessness of the situation pushed women to perform this rite. Now they are mournfully standing over a small earthen mound, wiping away bitter tears.

People's Artist of Turkmenistan Yarly Bayramov left a masterpiece of his work - the painting "Bitter News" as a legacy to the Turkmen people. There is no viewer who would walk away indifferent from the elderly woman depicted on the canvas, reading a letter about the death of the person closest to her. The painting is executed in brown and white colors, and from the grief that gnawed the woman, one can hear a cry from the heart.

And, finally, Stanislav Babikov's painting "Ashgabat", dedicated to the city that has risen from the ruins. It took only 12 years - the picture was painted by the author in 1960 - as the city began to live its former happy joyful life.

Our beloved city is Ashgabat! What a difficult fate befell you! But every year you become more beautiful and nicer, and we are proud to be called Ashgabat residents, like many generations of your townspeople who lived before us.

Tamara Glazunova

 Photo: Alexey Gimalitdinov