In Moscow, in the atrium of the All-Russian State Library for Foreign Literature named after M. I. Rudomino, a ceremonial opening of the bust of the great Turkmen poet and philosopher Magtymguly Fragi took place, taking its rightful place among the large number of monuments to world geniuses of creative thought installed here.
This event became one of the most significant in a series of events on Russian soil dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the classic poet and held with the organizational support of the Turkmen diplomatic mission.
A large delegation from Ashgabat arrived in Moscow to participate in the ceremonial opening – representatives of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, singers, poets and musicians. Among the guests of the celebration was Ashgabat sculptor Zahid Babayev – the author of the sculptural bust of Magtymguly installed in Moscow.
The General Director of the State Library of Foreign Literature Pavel Kuzmin and the head of the Turkmen diplomatic mission in Russia Esen Aydogdyyev addressed the Russian admirers of the Turkmen poetic genius with a welcoming speech, noting that the creative legacy of Magtymguly Fragi is a fundamental element of the national identity of the Turkmen people and the heritage of all mankind.
Representatives of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, foreign diplomats accredited in Moscow, Russian and Turkmen writers, poets, and literary scholars who spoke at the ceremony noted the role of Magtymguly Fragi as the founder of Turkmen classical literature, who brought poetic language closer to folk speech, and spoke about the various facets of the talent of this master of artistic words and outstanding humanist philosopher.
His work marked the beginning of an epoch that experts consider part of a unique period in the history of Central Asian culture and call the «Golden Age» of Turkmen literature. The master's works have been translated into dozens of foreign languages and are known throughout the world. They do not lose their relevance today, because they vividly reflect the enduring universal ideals and values - love for the Motherland, spirituality, humanism, peacefulness, a call for creation, friendship and brotherhood.
The centuries-old and complex history of the Turkmen people has taught them to value peace, harmony and good neighbourliness above all else. Bequeathed by the great Magtymguly as a moral standard, these concepts form the basis of modern state policy of Turkmenistan, serve as a moral beacon for its people. The significance of the poetic and philosophical heritage of Magtymguly Fragi has outgrown national boundaries and has become a universal heritage, which is confirmed by the wide international celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Turkmen genius.
