In Turkmenistan, cultural heritage is carefully preserved and due honor is given to bakhshi musicians who have left an indelible mark in the history of musical art and people's memory.
One such renowned performer of folk music is Japar Khojanepesov, whom President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov mentioned among others in his address to the participants of the final round of the creative competition "Çalsana, bagşy!". As the head of state emphasized, "we have the right to be proud of the luminaries of this art, who live on in people's memory thanks to their unique works and have made an enormous contribution to the development of national music and song art."
The melody "Joşgun" and songs "Pagtaçy gyz", "Söýýärin" and "Bu parahatçylyk" created by Japar Khojanepesov were widely popular and became a significant part of the national heritage. Listeners were deeply moved and touched by his performances of works such as "Gökdepe mukamy", "Göroglynyň at oýnadyşy", "Şadilli", "Berkeli çokaý", "Zybagözel", "Tomagaly", "Şirin-şeker", "Ýandym gyrk" and other melodies. All this was discussed at the musical and song celebration "Dutara dil bitiren halypa", dedicated to the life and creative path of the people's bakhshi Japar Khojanepesov, which was recently held in the cultural center of Anev city.
The event, organized by the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan together with the Department of Culture of Ahal velayat, was attended by workers in the field of culture and art, bakhshi musicians, and teachers. The speakers emphasized Japar Khojanepesov's great contribution to the development of traditional musical art, spoke about his creative heritage and mentoring activities. As the speakers noted, folk music performed on national musical instruments and created, in particular, by the harmonious consonance of dutar and gyjak, is the decoration of our holidays and the spiritual companion of the Turkmen people. An exhibition dedicated to the musician at the Anev cultural center aroused the interest of the participants of the celebration.
Works from Japar Khojanepesov's repertoire were performed at the event by Honored Artists of Turkmenistan Altymyrat Purmammedov, Ogulmengli Mukhamova, senior lecturer of the Maya Kuliyeva Turkmen National Conservatory Charymyrat Akhunov, winner of the "Çalsana bagşy" competition Serdar Byashimov, singer of the Ahal velayat cultural center Gulshokhle Orazsakhedova, and the united ensemble of folk instruments of Ahal velayat.
