Representatives from the culture and education sectors of Turkmenistan achieved great success at the Turkic World Culture Forum held in the city of Khiva, Uzbekistan. The forum took place within the framework of a large-scale event titled “The Art of Bakhshi in New Uzbekistan: Contemporary Research and Prospects.” About 200 participants from more than 40 countries around the world gathered in Khiva.
Our country was represented by Shirin Allabayeva, head of the Department of History and Theory of Music at the M. Garlyyev Specialized School of Arts of Dashoguz velayat, a teacher of the highest category, and Almagul Nazarova, an honored bakhshi of Turkmenistan and a teacher at the Dashoguz Children’s School of Arts.
Shirin Allabayeva’s presentation at one of the conference sections sparked genuine interest among forum participants, including scholars from numerous higher education institutions and prominent cultural figures from various countries. In her speech on the topic “The Role and Significance of the Art of Bakhshi-Destanchi in the History of Turkmen Musical Heritage,” Sh. Allabayeva outlined the genre and performance characteristics of the Turkmen bakhshi school and the preserved traditions of mentorship. Using the example of the brightest representative of the art, Shukur-bakhshi, the speaker also identified factors influencing the upbringing of young bakhshi. It is worth noting that in her presentation, Sh. Allabayeva relied on the works of the National Leader, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Almagul Nazarova achieved the same great success as Sh. Allabayeva at the forum, with her performance skills earning her first place in the bakhshi competition.
Overall, in Dashoguz velayat, the art of bakhshi, including bakhshi-destanchi, is one of the most developed and vibrant directions of cultural activity. For instance, the specialized school of arts here bears the name of the outstanding national bakhshi Magtymguly Garlyyev. The people of Dashoguz rightly take pride in their skilled folk storytellers and musicians and honor the great scholar-preacher Ashyk Aydyn Pir, who is mentioned in many Eastern legends and tales. Near his mausoleum, located in the Ruhubelent etrap, there are sculptural monuments dedicated to Pir himself and the Turkmen dutar. Additionally, since December 1992, a unique bakhshi museum has been operating in Dashoguz.
Following the forum in Khiva, the members of the Turkmenistan delegation were ceremoniously presented with certificates and valuable gifts.
