Today, it is a mournful date in Turkmenistan, the Nationwide Memorial Day in commemoration of the victims of the 1948 Ashgabat earthquake, as well as the heroes who fell on the battlefields of all wars. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov took participation in the mournful flowers laying ceremony at the monuments within the “Halk Hakydasy” Memorial Complex.

...The further time takes us away from the events of those harsh years, the deeper the memory and recognition of the grateful descendants is of the feat of their heroic Homeland defenders, who laid down their lives for the happy future of future generations.

The national tradition of celebrating especially significant dates collectively dates back to ancient times. This unity of generations is unshakable in the modern Turkmen society. Coupled with the extraordinary strength of mind that has always been inherent in the Turkmens, it helped overcome all the difficulties and pain of losses. This has happened more than once in the history of the people. Thanks to special character traits such as selfless love for their native land, unity, belief in their own power and zest for life, which lay the basis and essence of the national spirit, the Turkmens withstood the years of heavy losses.

The “Halk hakydasy” Memorial Complex, stretching on a hill in the southwestern part of the capital, became a symbol of the people’s deep reverence for national their heroes and respect for their great past.

Early this morning, thousands of compatriots paid tribute to the memory of national heroes by laying flowers at the magnificent monuments “Ruhy tagzym”, “Milletiň ogullary”, and “Baky şöhrat”. After all, the tradition of honoring the memory of the national heroes is deeply humane and goes back thousands of years as an integral component of the spiritual and cultural values of the Turkmen people.

Today we commemorate with deep sorrow the hundreds of thousands of victims of the Ashgabat earthquake, the courageous defenders of the Gokdepe Fortress, as well as the heroes of the war of 1941–1945.

The President’s car stopped on the ground in front of the Memorial Complex, where the Guards of Honor lined up.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov went to the designated place.

The National Anthem of Turkmenistan was played. Its solemn tune was replaced by the sad melody “Keçpelek”, which has become a penetrative musical expression of the people’s grief for the fallen Homeland defenders and the victims who passed away untimely.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov laid flowers at the majestic “Ruhy Tagzym” Monument, paying tribute to those killed in the 1948 earthquake.

…Exactly 75 years ago, a natural disaster caused irreparable damage, completely destroying flourishing Ashgabat. Terrible memories of this tragic occurrence still fill with sorrow the hearts of the people of Turkmenistan, preserving in the people’s memory the names of our compatriots whose lives were taken by the pitiless catastrophe.

Those who survived that tragic October night, when the disaster struck with colossal power, instantly destroying the Turkmen capital to the ground, showed great courage, resilience, dedication and endurance.

As a sign of deep sorrow, the head of state bowed his head low. The occurences of that terrible night also took the life of Berdimuhamed Annayev, the great-grandfather of the head of state, a veteran of the war of 1941–1945, whose selfless work and services to the Turkmen state will forever remain in good memory.

Nowadays Ashgabat is a white marble metropolis, which has embodied in its new look the dreams and ideas of our ancestors about the bright future of the country, the happy fate of future generations of the Turkmens. Having gone through the hardest trials, the people restored their wonderful capital, turning it into an oasis of peace, tranquility and prosperity.

One of the priority objectives set by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov during the Revival of the New Epoch of the Powerful State is the development of Ashgabat in line with national traditions and advanced trends in urban planning.

Modern projects are aimed at achieving this goal, contributing to increasing the glory of the Turkmen capital as a major business, scientific, cultural and sports center of the region and the world.

The construction of comfortable housing, medical centers equipped in line with innovative technologies, schools and childcare institutions, sports complexes, and sociocultural facilities are signs of the new epoch of sovereign development of our country. The ongoing reforms are aimed at the progress and prosperity of Turkmenistan, increasing the population’s wellbeing, and ensuring a high standard of living for every family.

One of the focal historical events of 2023 in the country was the large-scale celebrations that took place on June 29 to mark the opening of Arkadag, the new city of national significance. The commissioning of this unique city is a specific result of the grandiose transformations initiated in Turkmenistan by National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and consistently carried on under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

The new city, built in one of the oldest sites of the Turkmen land, where the glorious history of our ancestors takes its origins, is an indicative model of a “smart city”, into the life support system of which digital, information, communications and “green” technologies have been integrated. The best traditions of national art of building and modern trends in architecture and design are harmoniously combined in this city. The created comprehensive infrastructure that meets international standards, including the environmental aspect, provides optimal comfort and convenience to residents.

The opening of the new, the only “smart” city in the Central Asian region, where innovative digital technologies are widely introduced into all areas of life, will add a new glorious chapter in the annals of our Homeland as an event of particular historical significance.

...Further at the ceremony, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov laid beautiful autumn flowers at the “Milletiň ogullary” and “Baky şöhrat” Monuments, built in honor of Turkmen warriors who fell in the battle against fascism and the heroes of all wars who were killed in the battles for the freedom of their native land, and the happiness of future generations. The Eternal Flame burns as an imperishable symbol of the unquenchable national memory of the valiant sons of the Turkmen land.

The people of Turkmenistan bow their heads low before those whose glorious heroic path is an everlasting example of selfless service to the Homeland, and pay tribute of respect to the war veterans living among us and the families of soldiers killed in battles, which are surrounded by well-deserved attention and honor in our country.

The younger generation of our country has examples to follow - the glory of the brave ancestors who defended the freedom and independence of the native land is written in gold letters in the history of the people. At all fronts of the Great Patriotic War, thousands of our fellow countrymen demonstrated unparalleled fortitude, fidelity to military duty, and selfless love for the Homeland. Among them was Berdimuhamed Annayev, the great-grandfather of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, whose life path serves today as an example of true patriotism and fidelity to duty for Turkmen youth.

Flowers were laid at the memorials by the Chairperson of the Mejlis, deputy chairpersons of the Cabinet of Ministers, heads of military and law enforcement agencies, deputies of the national parliament, and heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in Turkmenistan.

They were joined by representatives of political parties and public organizations, ministries and departments, honored elders, students, and residents of the capital. In a matter of minutes, the bases of the monuments were covered with a bright carpet of flowers.

Memory is the main component of the spiritual life of the people; it connects generations, fills life with a special, dearest meaning, and allows, having come into contact with the past, realizing one’s present and look confidently into the future. Only in a society where the past is known and revered that great power exists, which makes it possible to accumulate and fulfill the patriotic and creative potential of the nation.

Our memory, our immense gratitude to the older generation are reflected in specific deeds aimed at strengthening peace, promoting progressive development of the independent Turkmen state, and preserving high humanistic traditions in society.

At the end of the ceremony, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov warmly said goodbye to its participants and left the venue.

Commemorative prayers and sadaka took place both in the capital and in all velayats of the country.

The current ceremony at the “Halk hakydasy” Memorial Complex has become another vivid symbol of the continuity of traditions of our great ancestors, the inseparable connection of generations for enhancing the high spirituality of our people.

We remember, and we mourn, experiencing the pain of loss, and we continue to create, live and work peacefully in the independent, prosperous Homeland.