Today there, the State Drama Theatre named after Aman Gulmammedov hosted a solemn opening of the Week of Culture-2024. The festive event initiated by National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, is aimed at preservation, deep study and popularisation of national culture, displaying its ever growing role in development of the state and society as well as huge peace-making potential.

A large-scale event, which has been held since 2013 in different regions of the country, provides an opportunity to familiarise oneself with a variety of historical and cultural heritage of Turkmen people who have made a powerful contribution to the treasury of universal values. It is timed to Day of workers of culture and art as well as poetry of Magtymguly Fragi that is widely marked in our fatherland and encourages professional growth of workers of art and culture, search of new talents and development of the cultural level of population.

This cultural holiday has become a landmark event and has taken a worthy place in the modern history of the sovereign Turkmen state.

Annually picking up the baton to host the Week of culture, each of the regions of the country aspires to show its achievements and contribution to the progress and creative potential of the country. Events held on the margins of the large-scale action represent a bright palette of modern Turkmen culture, reflecting all kinds of national art - opera and song-music, film and theatre, fine, decorative and applied art, literature and folk art.

As known, this year, the Week of culture is held in the new city of Arkadag located at picturesque foothills of the Kopet Dagh. Digital, advanced information-communication and «green» technologies are integrated into the life of the indicative sample of the «smart» city. Moreover, such topical aspect as ecology, particular attention is given there. One should point out that ecologically clean materials are applied in construction of projects there.

The content and ideological message of the motto of the year «The Fount of Wisdom of Magtymguly Fragi» is called to promote the patriotic spirit and to facilitate education of the youth in the spirit of love for their country and aspiration to study our glorious history and culture. In this respect, a great responsibility is laid upon shoulders of workers of culture and art. The overall objective of the festival of art - to inspire Turkmen nationals into new achievements in various spheres, including in the field of culture.

In accordance with the Resolution of the President of Turkmenistan «On celebration of the 300^th birthday anniversary of great thinker and classic poet of the East Magtymguly Fragi», a great deal of work is carried out in the country from first days of 2024 to study and popularise globally the rich and valuable literary legacy of the outstanding master of poetry, who has become founder of the national school for development of high morals, humanism and patriotism in the younger generation.

In May, 2023, in the headquarters of UNESCO located in Paris, at the 216^th session of the given Organization, the decision on inclusion of a collection of manuscripts of Magtymguly Fragi in the UNESCO International Memory of the World Register was unanimously adopted. Thereby, it has been recognised that the poems, which have entered into this collection of the famous poet - the rare sample of written heritage of not only Turkmen, but also all Turkic speaking people as traditions of oral poetry of literature of the East are embodied in them as a whole.

At the session, the proposal of UNESCO member states on celebration of 46 memorable dates in 2024-2025 was also approved. Among them - the initiative presented by Turkmenistan on inclusion of the 300^th birthday anniversary of Magtymguly Fragi into the List of memorable dates of UNESCO. This event became another visual evidence of international recognition of the role and significance of poetry of the great Turkmen poet and thinker in the world literature and in the context of development of cultural-humanitarian cooperation.

Thanks to support of head of the state Serdar Berdimuhamedov, at present, works by Magtymguly, who has brought an invaluable contribution to perfection of modern Turkmen language, are translated into tens of languages and have become a property of international literary and scientific community.

On the sidelines of the events devoted to the 300^th birthday anniversary of the great master of poetry, a solemn opening of the cultural-park complex «Magtymguly Pyragy» and a monument to the outstanding classic of Turkmen literature and publication of the collection of poems «Magtymguly» were organized.

… This morning, the State Drama Theatre named after Aman Gulmammedov where members of the Government, heads and representatives of the Ministry of Culture and subordinated organisations, higher educational institutions of art of the country, public organisations, mass-media, workers of culture and art, student youth gathered, became a venue for celebrations on the occasion of the opening of the Week of culture-2024.

Among participants of the large scale event – famous workers of theatre, performers of variety and folk art, experts of museum and library science, musicians, artists, poets and prose writers, creative groups and popular folklore-ethnographic groups from all regions of the country.

In the foyer of the theatre, the exhibition of fine, decorative and applied art where works of handicraftsmen, ceramics, sculpture, national costumes, jewels, musical instruments, subjects of traditional life of Turkmen as well as works of masters of brush and canvas was organized.

The gathered heard a welcoming message of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov with great attention. The message notes that in the Era of Revival of the New Epoch of the Powerful State we attach a great significance for development of culture, further strengthening of the material and technical basis of profile establishments, encouragement of noble work of workers of culture and art. We highly appreciate the contribution of prose writers and poets, journalists, artists, figures of theatre and cinema, composers, bards-musicians who inspire our happy compatriots into the diligent and constructive work, popularisation of the image of our state widely in the world. We will also provide all conditions for creation of workers of art and culture modern works inspiring into new achievements.

This large-scale creative forum is held for the first time in Arkadag city constructed according to the Concept of «smart city», in the year when the 300^th birthday anniversary of the great thinker and poet-classic Magtymguly Fragi is marked and it bears a special significance, as underlined in the message of the head of the state.

Then a big concert was held on the stage of the State Drama Theatre named after Aman Gulmammedov with participation of workers of culture and art, popular creative groups of the country. Richness of programs was underlined by their stage decoration with a wide use of modern means filled with visual effects that allowed creating narrative mini performances united by the general topic - blossoming of national culture and art.

The literary-musical composition «Arkadag medeniýeti», brilliantly performed by actors of theatres, joint dancing groups became a magnificent overture of the concert. The bright mini-performance sounded highly and with inspiration, glorifying today of our fatherland inseparably linked with the policy of progressive transformations, initiated by National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and successfully realised under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, which are aimed at ensuring well-being of our people and prosperity of Turkmenistan.

The concert started on that high note proceeded with performances of popular singers of national and variety songs, music groups and folklore collectives.

The number «Magtymguly sözlerim saza goşsaň uz bolar» performed by honoured bagshys and students of Turkmen national conservatory named after Maya Kuliyeva, which has become an example of high professionalism developed on the basis of centuries-old art values and improved by each new generation in the live performing practice, provided a huge pleasure for spectators.

Young actors - chorus of the children's school of arts named after Shukur bagshy and dance groups «Şatlyk», «Gyzyl güljagaz» added more joy to the present event with their programs devoted to happy childhood, our beloved land where cherished dreams come true.

Then, popular creative groups of the country, famous national singers, opera performers and rising stars of Turkmen variety art and famous dance groups displayed their skill. They performed the best samples of national classic music pieces, modern works, national dastans, and original vocal-choreographic compositions. The hall applauded performances of actors of the Magtymguly National Music-Drama Theatre of Turkmenistan, Turkmen state dance ensemble, chorus of Turkmen national conservatory named after Maya Kuliyeva, masters of art of the Turkic states.

The spirit and colour of original traditions embodied in combination with modern trends on the stage by popular dance and folklore groups «Aşgabat», «Galkynyş», «Näzli», «Meňli», «Laçyn» and «Serpaý».

The song created on his patriotic poem, in which eternal universal values, such as love for one’s country, humanism, peaceful disposition and unity of nation found reflection, became a tribute to great poet-thinker Magtymguly Fragi.

Inspiring songs «Dost-doganlyk ýollary bar änewde», «Arkadag şäheri - bagtyň şäheri», «Watan», «Arkadagly Gahryman Serdarym» performed by national and honoured artists of Turkmenistan, glorifying our independent fatherland and its every day, which is full of great victories, labour achievements and national celebrations, also sounded at the concert.

The rich palette of national culture taking into account genres, manner of performance and styles characteristic of separate regions of the country was reflected in the composition «Bäş welaýat toý - toýlaýar bir suprada jem bolup» which was presented by folklore group «Miras».

Standing, with a noisy storm of applause spectators met the patriotic song «Alkyş size, Gahryman Arkadagymyz, Arkadagly Gahryman Serdarymyz!», which became a powerful finale of the solemn concert, performed by soloists and all participants and reflected the depth of good feelings and gratitude of workers of national culture to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

On completion of the concert, the sadaka was given on behalf of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty and the President of Turkmenistan in the banquet hall «Arzuw» of Arkadag city for prosperity of our country and well-being of our people.

In the second half of the day, events on the margins of the opening of Week of culture-2024 proceeded in the history and local lore museum of Arkadag city where participants were welcomed by the bread and salt by a developed tradition.

Heads and specialists of the state museum, museum of fine art, museum «Watan mukaddesligi», history and local lore museum of Arkadag city, national museum «Gökdepe», velayat museums familiarised themselves with exhibits of the exposition of artefacts and works of applied art from funds of regional museums of the country, which describe unique traditions and the richest cultural heritage of our people and their art organised in the foyer. Fine carpets and felts, samples of ancient national costumes and natural fabrics, ceramic and wooden products, refined ornaments were displayed in all the variety of colours.

There one could also see banners with symbols of the year «The Fount of Wisdom of Magtymguly Fragi» and the Week of culture. On the monitor, visitors could also watch pictures acquainting with museums of the country, their work on preservation and popularisation of national cultural heritage.

Then, the working meeting of museum specialists on «Possibilities of world practice for registration and preservation of museum values» took place.

It is necessary to note that the museums located in different corners of the country, are the largest scientific and educational centres in study of history of Turkmen people, preservation and popularisation of spiritual heritage that acts as one of the priority goals of the state for future generations. They store and increase art and intellectual values, unique historical records and rare articles saved for centuries.

Thanks to the indefatigable care of the President of Turkmenistan of development of the given sphere, a positive dynamics is marked in recent years in attendance of museums of the country and it testifies to a growing interest of compatriots and foreign visitors in the heritage of our independent fatherland. The ancient history of Turkmen people, its unique culture, traditions and customs, unprecedented modern achievements of the state - all this finds an embodiment in the richest museum expositions.

As known, at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, which took place on June 14, it was stated that work on donation of findings unearthed on the ancient caravan route passing through the territory of the northern region of the country to museums is carried out.

It was in this connection informed that local residents discovered 18 gold and 3 silver coins as well as 61 fragments of gold coins and 8 multi-coloured subjects close to the gengeshlik of Dovkesen in Saparmurat Turkmenbashi etrap of Dashoguz velayat. As a result of the preliminary analysis carried out by scientists it was established that on some gold coins names of Sultan Allaeddin Mohammed – ruler of Khorezmshahs state and his father Sultan Tekesh, dated to the XII-XIII centuries when that powerful state of Koneurgench Turkmens flourished, were written. During that period, as it is pointed out in the book by Hero-Arkadag «Turkmenistan - heart of the Great Silk road», Koneurgench city was located on the important crossroads of transcontinental line between the West and the East. The given artefacts supplement the historical data described in the work of the National Leader of the Turkmen people. And today these finds were donated to the history and local lore museum of Arkadag city as well as incentive gifts were given to the citizens, who discovered those findings of art.

As was marked, issues of further development of the sphere of culture, including perfection and modernisation of methods of organisation of museum business, became one of the topical issues of the meeting.

Besides it, the reports, concerning registration and storage of museum values, works of art, archaeological finds, and features of registration and preservation of ancient weaponry articles , rules and procedure for placement of exhibits and introduction of digital systems in museum business were delivered.

The main co-ordinator of the Union of museums of the International organisation of Turkic culture (TURKSOY) as well as heads of museums of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Republic of Turkiye, and Republic of Uzbekistan joined the meeting via videoconference.

Then, an excursion to the history and local lore museum of Arkadag city was organised for participants of the event. Its unique exhibits reflecting the life of the given land from the ancient period and up to now represent a great interest. The exposition consists of five sections - «Archaeology and Jeytun culture», «Ethnography»", «Nature», «Art» and «Independence». In the museum there are six showrooms and five departments - Digital technologies and information security, Researches and exhibition management, Registration and preservation of museum values, Cultural-research and methodological work, Restoration and art promotion.

During the «round table» meeting, its participants had an interested exchange of opinions concerning development of museology, study of material and cultural wealth, which possesses not only national, but also universal value. It was marked that today new methods and high technologies are actively introduced in organisation of work with museum expositions and funds and a legislative basis of this sphere is also improved in the country.

On the sidelines of the cultural forum, in the evening, the premiere of the play «Älem nury» was shown in the State Drama Theatre named after Aman Gulmammedov of Arkadag city.