Turkmen Designers Present Their Works at an Evening of Art in Brussels

An evening dedicated to Turkmen art and traditions, organized by the Embassy of Turkmenistan within the framework of cultural exchange, was held in Brussels. The event brought together cultural sector representatives from Central Asia and Europe, including fashion and art figures. The Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belgium, Sapar Palvanov, opened the meeting, noting that Turkmen culture is a heritage that needs to be protected and passed on to new generations. The diplomat emphasized the role of cultural diplomacy as a means of strengthening ties between peoples. “Culture has always been a neutral sphere that unites people," Palvanov stated. An essential part of the program was a speech dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the great poet, Makhtumkuli. The Ambassador spoke about how his ideas continue to inspire not only Turkmen, but people of other nations, influencing Turkmenistan's cultural ties with Europe. The evening's guests were presented with the works of talented Turkmen designers, Sheker Akiniyazova, Shemshat Tachmammedova, and Ogulbeg Berdimiradov. Their collections combined traditional elements with modern fashion. The designers also participated in the Brussels cultural program and presented at European institutions. Elena Kharitonova, founder of Caravan Cultura CreArt Agency in the Netherlands who co-organized the event emphasized the preservation of cultural values through modern projects and her support for young Turkmen designers.

Ashgabat Exhibition to Mark Ukraine’s Independence Day

The Embassy of Ukraine in Turkmenistan is poised to display an exhibition of archival photographs in Ashgabat, dedicated to Ukraine's Independence Day. Titled “Ukraine and Ukrainians," the exhibition will run from August 30 - September 6 2024, and comprise a selection of rare images from the Ivan Honchar Museum. Funded by the National Center of Folk Culture, an organization actively engaged in preserving and disseminating folk cultural traditions, the museum's vast collections of historical photographs provide the younger generation with a deeper understanding of their cultural roots and heritage. The forthcoming exhibition follows “Cultural Values of the Turkmen People”; an exhibition of  photographs, books, and national dress previously mounted in Kyiv to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of Turkmen poet and philosopher Makhtumkuli Fraghi. Aimed to attract young audiences, the exhibition was complemented by excursions for pupils of eight of Kyiv's  schools and lyceums, as well as students studying journalism, with talks presented on Turkmenistan's archaeological monuments located in the ancient cities of  Merv, Kunyaurgench, and Nisa fortresses, and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.