The official ceremony of granting the status of the cultural capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States for 2012 to Mary took place in the administrative center of Mary Velayat.
The decision was adopted on December 20, 2011 during the informal jubilee meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of State.
The choice is not occasional. Special role of the velayat is development of culture and tourism. The Mary oasis is the ancient Turkmen land. The historical monuments on the territory of the velayat vividly testify to the culture flourished there in the past. Many powerful, prosperous Turkmen states paying particular honour to science, literature and art existed on the territory of Mary Velayat many centuries ago. This ancient center of civilization gifted the high standards of art, architecture, dozens of crafts to the world. At different periods in Ancient Merv lived and outstanding scientists, doctors, poets. Libraries – the storage of knowledge accumulated by people in various fields, the real centers of science and education attracting scientists from many countries all around the world were the pride of local rulers and people.
As this region laid along the route of the Silk Road, large caravanserais, where merchants from different parts of the world stopped, were built there. All this contributed to the interpenetration of cultures that had a positive impact on formation of universal spiritual values. Therefore, today, the outstanding historical and architectural monuments of Ancient Merv kept till present times have been registered in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List and are the focus of attention of scientists, travelers and tourists from all over the world.
Till present, Mary is a dynamically developing modern city of Turkmenistan that hosts major international scientific forums and cultural events. The history and modern times have united there in a single flow. The cultural traditions of one of the most ancient civilizations in the world are reflected in development of crafts, music, fine art, and in the view of the city that becomes more beautiful with every passing day. It is notable, that the first major facilities built in Mary in the new historical epoch were the centers of education and culture, including the Ruhyet Palace, Gurbanguly Haji white marble mosque, new buildings of the Mary Velayat Local History Museum, Kemine National Drama Theatre and the Mary Velayat Library with observatory. The library has become an inheritress to the famous Merv observatory, where dozens of scientists, including a famous astronomer and mathematician Omar Khayyam studied the dome of the sky.
Locating on the crossroads of the Silk Road, at all times, the ancient Turkmen city Merv has been regarded as one of the most hospitable and tolerant cities in the East. The participants of the celebrations, who arrived in the administrative center of Mary Velayat early morning, could appreciate it. Following the tradition of the Turkmen hospitality, they were greeted with bread and salt at the Mary airport. The friendly atmosphere also reigned on the square in front of Kemine State Drama Theater, the venue of the celebrations.
A literary and musical performance with participation of theater artists and artistic groups of the city dedicated to the glorious and heroic history of Mary was arranged on the square.
A large-scale exposition was opened at the spacious foyer of the theater. Various archaeological finds, including the tangible evidences of the ancient history of our country, the works of fine and decorative arts created by painters of Mary Velayat, and illustrated editions showcased within the framework of the exhibition testify to the rich spiritual heritage and the modern achievements of independent Turkmenistan.
Numerous guests and participants of the ceremony, including the deputies of the Mejlis, heads and representatives of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, public organisations, sectoral institutions of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, higher educational institutions, workers of culture and art, journalists and students gathered together in the assembly hall. Among the foreign guests were Chairman of the Executive Committee and Executive Secretary of the CIS Sergei Lebedev, Executive Director of the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of CIS member states (IFESCCO) Armen Smbatyan, and other representatives of the IFESCCO executive authorities. The foreign media was represented by Mir Interstate TV and Radio Company, Information Telegraph Agency (ITAR TASS), Izvestia Newspaper, as well as representations of foreign news agencies accredited in our country.
The welcoming address of the President of Turkmenistan to the ceremony participants was presented during the ceremony.
Then the floor was given to the Chairman of the Executive Committee - CIS Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev, who expressed gratitude to the Turkmen leader for development of the constructive interstate cooperation.
Sergei Lebedev noted that such approach was reflected in the concept of Turkmenistan’s presidency over the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2012. The guest underlined that within the concept, Turkmenistan hosted the summits of the Heads of State, international conferences, the 7th forum of the workers of culture and art, and other events, holding which would offer a new incentive to the integration processes in the CIS. Sergei Lebedev noted that culture had an important stabilizing value - the dialogue of cultures in the CIS had not just traditionally relied on the state support, it had been constantly improved gaining new form and content.
The CIS Executive Secretary noted that today, the Ancient Merv (current Mary) registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List had picked up the baton of honor within the framework of the Programme of CIS Cultural Capitals. “In Mary one can receive an evidence of the equality and value of the cultural heritage and visibly feel the significance of one of the most ancient centers of the world civilization”, said the guest.
Executive Director of the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of CIS member states (IFESCCO) Armen Smbatyan addressed a congratulatory statement to the participants of the ceremony. He noted that it was a great honour for the Fund to take part in the program “Mary is the cultural capital of the CIS”, which would offer the city with an opportunity to demonstrate its historical and cultural wealth, as well as the sights of Turkmenistan at the international level.
Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan Tleugali Kishkashbaev, representatives of the National Institute of Manuscripts under the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan and the Ancient Merv State Historical and Cultural Reserve addressed the ceremony participants.
Under the storm of applause, Chairman of the Executive Committee - CIS Executive Secretary Sergey Lebedev and Executive Director of the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of CIS member states (IFESCCO) Armen Smbatyan officially declared Mary the cultural capital of the Commonwealth in 2012 and handed over the appropriate certificate.
A festive concert with participation of the masters of arts of Turkmenistan, and popular artistic groups of Mary Velayat took place upon completion of the official ceremony.
A video film dedicated to the ancient history, rich historical, cultural and spiritual heritage of the nation, the modern look of the administrative center of Mary Vealayat was demonstrated to the ceremony participants.
Then the guests visited the Ancient Merv State Historical and Cultural Reserve, where they got acquainted with the unique monuments - architectural complex of Ibn Muhammet Zeyid (XII century), the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, ancient fortresses Erkkala and Gyzkala.
An improvised Turkmen village was laid near the Gyzkala fortress. The guests could get acquainted with the everyday life, the traditional crafts of the Turkmen people, as well as taste the dishes of the Turkmen national cuisine, and admire the graceful Ahaleke horses.
Familiarization with the rich historical and cultural heritage of Mary Velayat continued in the Local History Museum showcasing over 40,000 exhibits, including the monuments of history, art and culture of the Turkmen people.
The rich cultural programme of the celebrations completed with a visit to the Mary Velayat Library, which was opened on October 20, 2011.
Then, the participants of the ceremony of granting the status of the cultural capital of the CIS for 2012 to Mary returned to Ashgabat.
The decision was adopted on December 20, 2011 during the informal jubilee meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of State.
The choice is not occasional. Special role of the velayat is development of culture and tourism. The Mary oasis is the ancient Turkmen land. The historical monuments on the territory of the velayat vividly testify to the culture flourished there in the past. Many powerful, prosperous Turkmen states paying particular honour to science, literature and art existed on the territory of Mary Velayat many centuries ago. This ancient center of civilization gifted the high standards of art, architecture, dozens of crafts to the world. At different periods in Ancient Merv lived and outstanding scientists, doctors, poets. Libraries – the storage of knowledge accumulated by people in various fields, the real centers of science and education attracting scientists from many countries all around the world were the pride of local rulers and people.
As this region laid along the route of the Silk Road, large caravanserais, where merchants from different parts of the world stopped, were built there. All this contributed to the interpenetration of cultures that had a positive impact on formation of universal spiritual values. Therefore, today, the outstanding historical and architectural monuments of Ancient Merv kept till present times have been registered in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List and are the focus of attention of scientists, travelers and tourists from all over the world.
Till present, Mary is a dynamically developing modern city of Turkmenistan that hosts major international scientific forums and cultural events. The history and modern times have united there in a single flow. The cultural traditions of one of the most ancient civilizations in the world are reflected in development of crafts, music, fine art, and in the view of the city that becomes more beautiful with every passing day. It is notable, that the first major facilities built in Mary in the new historical epoch were the centers of education and culture, including the Ruhyet Palace, Gurbanguly Haji white marble mosque, new buildings of the Mary Velayat Local History Museum, Kemine National Drama Theatre and the Mary Velayat Library with observatory. The library has become an inheritress to the famous Merv observatory, where dozens of scientists, including a famous astronomer and mathematician Omar Khayyam studied the dome of the sky.
Locating on the crossroads of the Silk Road, at all times, the ancient Turkmen city Merv has been regarded as one of the most hospitable and tolerant cities in the East. The participants of the celebrations, who arrived in the administrative center of Mary Velayat early morning, could appreciate it. Following the tradition of the Turkmen hospitality, they were greeted with bread and salt at the Mary airport. The friendly atmosphere also reigned on the square in front of Kemine State Drama Theater, the venue of the celebrations.
A literary and musical performance with participation of theater artists and artistic groups of the city dedicated to the glorious and heroic history of Mary was arranged on the square.
A large-scale exposition was opened at the spacious foyer of the theater. Various archaeological finds, including the tangible evidences of the ancient history of our country, the works of fine and decorative arts created by painters of Mary Velayat, and illustrated editions showcased within the framework of the exhibition testify to the rich spiritual heritage and the modern achievements of independent Turkmenistan.
Numerous guests and participants of the ceremony, including the deputies of the Mejlis, heads and representatives of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, public organisations, sectoral institutions of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, higher educational institutions, workers of culture and art, journalists and students gathered together in the assembly hall. Among the foreign guests were Chairman of the Executive Committee and Executive Secretary of the CIS Sergei Lebedev, Executive Director of the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of CIS member states (IFESCCO) Armen Smbatyan, and other representatives of the IFESCCO executive authorities. The foreign media was represented by Mir Interstate TV and Radio Company, Information Telegraph Agency (ITAR TASS), Izvestia Newspaper, as well as representations of foreign news agencies accredited in our country.
The welcoming address of the President of Turkmenistan to the ceremony participants was presented during the ceremony.
Then the floor was given to the Chairman of the Executive Committee - CIS Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev, who expressed gratitude to the Turkmen leader for development of the constructive interstate cooperation.
Sergei Lebedev noted that such approach was reflected in the concept of Turkmenistan’s presidency over the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2012. The guest underlined that within the concept, Turkmenistan hosted the summits of the Heads of State, international conferences, the 7th forum of the workers of culture and art, and other events, holding which would offer a new incentive to the integration processes in the CIS. Sergei Lebedev noted that culture had an important stabilizing value - the dialogue of cultures in the CIS had not just traditionally relied on the state support, it had been constantly improved gaining new form and content.
The CIS Executive Secretary noted that today, the Ancient Merv (current Mary) registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List had picked up the baton of honor within the framework of the Programme of CIS Cultural Capitals. “In Mary one can receive an evidence of the equality and value of the cultural heritage and visibly feel the significance of one of the most ancient centers of the world civilization”, said the guest.
Executive Director of the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of CIS member states (IFESCCO) Armen Smbatyan addressed a congratulatory statement to the participants of the ceremony. He noted that it was a great honour for the Fund to take part in the program “Mary is the cultural capital of the CIS”, which would offer the city with an opportunity to demonstrate its historical and cultural wealth, as well as the sights of Turkmenistan at the international level.
Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan Tleugali Kishkashbaev, representatives of the National Institute of Manuscripts under the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan and the Ancient Merv State Historical and Cultural Reserve addressed the ceremony participants.
Under the storm of applause, Chairman of the Executive Committee - CIS Executive Secretary Sergey Lebedev and Executive Director of the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of CIS member states (IFESCCO) Armen Smbatyan officially declared Mary the cultural capital of the Commonwealth in 2012 and handed over the appropriate certificate.
A festive concert with participation of the masters of arts of Turkmenistan, and popular artistic groups of Mary Velayat took place upon completion of the official ceremony.
A video film dedicated to the ancient history, rich historical, cultural and spiritual heritage of the nation, the modern look of the administrative center of Mary Vealayat was demonstrated to the ceremony participants.
Then the guests visited the Ancient Merv State Historical and Cultural Reserve, where they got acquainted with the unique monuments - architectural complex of Ibn Muhammet Zeyid (XII century), the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, ancient fortresses Erkkala and Gyzkala.
An improvised Turkmen village was laid near the Gyzkala fortress. The guests could get acquainted with the everyday life, the traditional crafts of the Turkmen people, as well as taste the dishes of the Turkmen national cuisine, and admire the graceful Ahaleke horses.
Familiarization with the rich historical and cultural heritage of Mary Velayat continued in the Local History Museum showcasing over 40,000 exhibits, including the monuments of history, art and culture of the Turkmen people.
The rich cultural programme of the celebrations completed with a visit to the Mary Velayat Library, which was opened on October 20, 2011.
Then, the participants of the ceremony of granting the status of the cultural capital of the CIS for 2012 to Mary returned to Ashgabat.
