A flower-laying ceremony at the bust of Yuriy Gagarin was held at the Department of education, science and culture of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Turkmenistan (Russian house). The event, timed to coincide with Cosmonautics day, brought together diplomats, public figures, scientists, and schoolchildren.
Addressing the guests, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Turkmenistan Ivan Volynkin emphasised the significance of the 65th anniversary of the first human space flight. As noted, the exploration of high stellar space has given a colossal boost to global science, and today Russia and Turkmenistan have real potential for deepening their partnership in this area.
«Our bilateral cooperation with Ashgabat in the space sector has serious prospects. We are ready to cooperate in the field of production and launch of satellites, navigation technologies, and various scientific research and development. Moreover, I think that if Turkmenistan were interested, Russia could also prepare a Turkmen cosmonaut for the flight», − the diplomat stated.
Particular attention was paid to Oleg Kononenko, a native of Turkmenabat, Hero of Turkmenistan and Russia, and head of the Cosmonaut training centre named after Yuriy Gagarin. His next, sixth, flight into space is planned for next autumn. Oleg Kononenko holds the world record for staying in orbit – 1110 days.
The star of the event was a schoolboy named Daniel, who came in a homemade spacesuit. After seeing the young cosmonaut, Russian Ambassador Ivan Volynkin shared a personal story from his childhood.
«I remembered how, when I was a kid, my dad made me an astronaut costume. There were some different possibilities then, and he resolved this issue differently. The father went to the store and bought a globe. He cut holes for the eyes in the globe, painted it orange, and sewed me an orange suit, which was exactly the kind of uniform cosmonauts wore back then. Seeing this wonderful Turkmen schoolboy brought back my childhood and good memories came flooding back. Immediately after the flight of Yuriy Gagarin into space, many boys really wanted to become astronauts. Cosmonauts were considered special people – the bravest, smartest, most talented, and most capable», − said Ivan Volynkin.
In conclusion, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation wished all residents of Turkmenistan cosmic health, unearthly inspiration, and happiness as boundless as the universe!
