Today, Turkmenistan marks a mournful date - Remembrance Day of victims of the Ashgabat earthquake of 1948 as well as heroes who fell on fields of battles of all wars. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov took part in the mourning ceremony of laying flowers at monuments of the Memorial complex «Halk hakydasy».
Honouring brave defenders of our fatherland and victims of natural calamities is one of the traditions of Turkmen people originating in the depth of millennia and called to inform the present generation a heroic way of our ancestors. Firmness of spirit of Turkmen allowed overcoming burdens and losses of those severe years.
Early in the morning, our compatriots came to the Memorial complex «Halk hakydasy», located in the southwest part of the capital and being a symbol of deep honour of national heroes.
The car of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov approaches the area before the Memorial complex.
The head of the state heads towards the alley, along which valorous soldiers of the Guard of honour are lined up.
The national anthem of Turkmenistan sounds. It is replaced by a sad melody «Keçpelek», which has become a strong musical expression of national grief of perished defenders of our fatherland and innocent victims.
Then, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov lays a wreath at the majestic monument «Ruhy tagzym», paying a tribute of memory to victims of the earthquake of 1948.
The ruthless elements torn off lives of our compatriots, having left a pain of irreplaceable losses.
That terrible night Berdimuhamed Annayev - the great-grandfather of the head of the state who showed heroism on fields of battles of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, respected by all people and teacher who devoted his life to education of the youth, was also lost.
Those who experienced that tragic night, which in a flash destroyed the Turkmen capital, showed a high example of determination, firmness and courage.
In the silence of mourning the human stream moves to the majestic monument.
During the past years, Ashgabat has turned into one of the most beautiful cities of the world - a place of happy and peaceful life.
Initiated by National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov the town-planning program is successfully realised under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
In the capital modern apartment houses equipped with innovative technologies, medical centres, schools and kindergartens, sports complexes, social and cultural objects which attest to prompt development of the country, are built and put into operation. Reforms carried out are aimed at progress and prosperity of Turkmenistan, growth of well-being and standard of living of people.
Throughout the ceremony, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov laid wonderful wreaths of autumn flowers at the feet of monuments «Milletiň ogullary» and «Baky şöhrat», erected in honour of Turkmen soldiers who fell in struggle against fascism and heroes of all wars, which were lost in battles for freedom of our fatherland, for happiness of the future generations. As the imperishable symbol of inextinguishable national memory of valorous sons of the Turkmen land the eternal fire burns.
Thousands of our compatriots showed unprecedented courage and boundless love for the country on fields of battles of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. Among them was great-grandfather of the head of the state - Berdimuhamed Annayev, whose course serves today for the Turkmen youth as example of true patriotism and fidelity to one’s duty.
Courage and fearlessness of our national heroes who protected our fatherland and gave their lives for freedom of their country and people – a great school for the younger generations of independent neutral Turkmenistan.
Then, wreaths and bouquets were laid by the Chairwoman of the Mejlis, deputy chairmen of the Cabinet, heads of military and law enforcement bodies, diplomatic representative offices and international organisations accredited in Turkmenistan.
Heads and representatives of political parties and public organisations, ministries and departments, respectable elders, student's youth, residents of the capital joined them.
Turkmenistan establishes friendship with people and states of the world. Initiatives put forward by our country from a high podium of the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization testify to firmness of peaceful way of our neutral fatherland.
In this connection, it is necessary to note that at the 63rd plenary meeting of the 78th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations at the initiative of Turkmenistan 2025 was declared as the International Year of Peace and Trust.
Adoption of the Resolution serves a clear evidence of recognition of the world community efforts of our country in maintenance of global peace and strengthening of trust between states.
At the regular meeting of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan, National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov pointed out that in the International Year of Peace and Trust, also marked with the 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality of our independent state, a global goal is the strengthening of cooperation and mutual understanding on the planet. As Hero-Arkadag underlined, neutrality - the doctrine, which highlights our undertakings calling people to peace and cooperation, friendship and brotherhood, unity, advocating humanism in the world. This doctrine gives energy for achievement of new boundaries to our people creating and building for the great future of our fatherland.
Having noted that on Remembrance Day our compatriots, following the tradition of ancestors, give the sadaka and read prayers for peace of the souls of those who are already not present among us and who fell at battles and victims of the Ashgabat earthquake, the head of the state wished that Almighty would accepted the sadaka and prayers read on this day.
On completion of the ceremony, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov warmly said goodbye to its participants and left the place.
The present remembrance ceremonies took place today in the capital, in the city of Arkadag and in all regions of the country.
The present remembrance ceremony in the Memorial complex «Halk hakydasy» became another bright symbol of continuity of humane principles of our ancestors.