The Union of Artists of Turkmenistan was one of the first to actively respond to the announcement of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust. On January 8, an exhibition of works by Turkmen artists was held at the Fine Arts Exhibition Center of the Ministry of Culture. Taking this opportunity, we asked Charymurat Yazmuradov, Chairman of the Union of Artists of Turkmenistan, what awaits art lovers at the country's main exhibition site in the coming year.

"First of all I suggest to talk about our works in last year," Charymurat Pashagulyevich began the conversation. - In 2024, Turkmenistan and the entire world community celebrated the 300th anniversary of poet, philosopher, and patriot Makhtumkuli Fragi on a large scale. The large majority of the fine art exhibitions in our exhibition center were dedicated to this date. One of them is the most impressive - "The Storehouse of wisdom of Makhtumkuli Fragi", in which each artist created his own work, inspired by one phrase from the poet's work. The poetic line that excited the artist became either the title of the work, or the work was an illustration for the poem. A close contact between poetry and fine art was created. At this exhibition, we came closest to Makhtumkuli's work.

- In 2024, so many portraits and busts of the great philosopher passed before the eyes of art lovers, if we calculate their total number, we could apply to the Guinness Book of Records. Some of them were very successful. For example, a graphic portrait in pencil of Chingiz Toraev.

- Agree with you. However, I would like to note that the last year was also remembered by other interesting events. For example, the international biennial within the framework of the II TURKSOY theatre festival. The exhibition of such plan as a biennale, which showed essays on Turkmenistan by artists from Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan, was held for the first time in our country. She showed how artists from different schools approach the disclosure of a common theme. The exhibition for the 100th anniversary of Ayhan Hajiev, who gave the world a canonical portrait of Makhtumkuli, was remembered by a huge number of visitors. Great resonance in the society had an exhibition «Modern», which was developed in the art gallery of the Union of Artists of Turkmenistan.

The exhibition of works in the genre of portraits of students of the Byashim Nurali Children's Art School, which was held in conjunction with a performance by musicians of the Turkmen National Conservatory named after M. Kuliyeva, turned out to be memorable. The children presented stunning portraits that surprised all visitors. Thus, the year 2024 was very full of bright events.

- And how do you plan to organize exhibitions according to the name of 2025?

- It must be said that the name of 2025 - International Year of Peace and Trust - fits organically to the Turkmen mentality. The desire to live in peace, trust and help our neighbor is a characteristic feature of our nation. Therefore, the creative life of the Turkmen people under the leadership of the respected President and Hero Arkadag, our achievements in all areas of activity, and especially in construction, friendly political, cultural and economic ties with other states - such a wide range of themes for the realization in the visual arts. The artists have to find their own way and dare according to their vision.

- Can we find out what is exactly planned for 2025?

- On March 1 of this year, an exhibition entitled "Trust", dedicated to the great poet Kurbannazar Ezizov will be held. It will be a good gift for fans of Kurbannazar Ezizov's poetry, which, by the way, includes me.

- Me too.

- And even earlier, an exhibition of works by the remarkable artist Gakhraman Gochmuradov is scheduled for January 15. An exhibition dedicated to the great artist from Mary David Arushayan will be held. There will be several anniversary exhibitions, including mine. I'm turning 50 this year. When we drawing up the plan, we proceeded from the following facts. The students of the Byashim Nurali Children's Art School presented their works well, and this year we will give students of the Mary Children's Art School the opportunity to present their works. The exhibition “Modern” aroused interest in itself, hoping for the same success, this year we are organizing the exhibition "In the World of Abstraction".

- From your story, we can see that the lovers of fine arts are waiting for very interesting exhibitions.

- Yes. And in this regard, I would like to address to the citizens and guests of the capital. In other countries, to get to a museum for an exhibition, you have to stand in a huge queue and buy a ticket for a lot of money. In our country, the opportunity to visit exhibitions is free or for a nominal cost. Take advantage of this opportunity. Come to the exhibition grounds alone, with friends and colleagues. Touch the beauty. You will enjoy the spirituality of Turkmen artists. For us, it is a great happiness to see full halls of visitors not only at the opening of exhibitions, but also before they close. We are waiting for you!