Culture
Turkmen specialists took part in a theatre festival in Trabzon
11.05.2026From May 1 to May 10, 2026, Turkmen specialists took part in the International Black Sea Theatre Festival “State Theatres – Trabzon-26,” held in the Turkish city of Trabzon. The forum was organized by the General Directorate of State Theatres under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Turkey. This was reported by the publication “Turkmenistan: Golden Age”. The festival is held annually, and this year it took place for the 26th time. The program included 15 theatrical productions, 7 puppet shows for children, 3 exhibitions, 8 displays of stage costumes, and 2 professional conferences. Turkmen specialists were included in an international expert group. They evaluated performances, participated in discussions, master classes, and exchanged experience with foreign colleagues. Within the framework of the forum, representatives of Turkmenistan presented information on the development of theatre and circus arts in the country during the years of independence, as well as on modern cultural facilities and their technical equipment. Video materials were shown featuring performances and international achievements of Turkmen artists. Festival participants noted the importance of state support for culture in Turkmenistan and the development of international cultural ties. The potential of the A. Gulmammedov State Drama Theatre of Arkadag city was also presented. During the event, meetings were held between the Turkmen delegation and representatives of Turkish theatre institutions. Issues of cooperation, exchange of experience, and participation in international festivals were discussed. As a result of their participation, Turkmen specialists were awarded the festival cup and letters of appreciation for their contribution to the development of international cooperation in the field of theatrical arts.
A representative of Turkmenistan received an award at the Turkic literature festival
10.05.2026The representative of Turkmenistan, Maksat Meredov, took part in the 5th Festival of Literature and Books of the Turkic World, which was held from May 4 to May 9 in the Turkish city of Gaziantep. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The event was organized by the International Union of Turkic Writers under TURKSOY and brought together scholars, poets, and prose writers from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Hungary, Cyprus, and several other countries. As a result of the festival, Maksat Meredov was awarded the Yunus Emre Prize of the International Union of Turkic Writers.
A teacher from Lebap is developing a modern string art technique
07.05.2026Ahmet Khodzhaev, a teacher at the Children’s School of Arts in the Darganata etrap, is developing the “string art” technique in Turkmenistan — creating artistic images using colored threads and nails on a wooden base. This was reported by the publication “Turkmenistan: The Golden Age”. A graduate of the Lebap velayat specialized School of Arts, he began working in 2010. Over time, the educator became interested in the possibility of conveying images not with paint, but with threads, drawing on traditions of national decorative art. At first, he experimented with black-and-white compositions. His first work was a portrait of Magtymguly Fragi, created in the year dedicated to the poet. The project received an award at a regional competition and became a starting point for further work. Later, the artist moved on to colored threads. His palette mainly includes red, green, and blue, which he combines to create new shades. Among his notable works is an image of an Akhal-Teke horse, presented at a themed competition and exhibition in Ashgabat. The work attracted visitors’ interest. Khodzhaev continues to develop the direction, planning to create portraits, natural landscapes, and architectural sites of Turkmenistan. In parallel, he teaches students the new technique. According to the school director Ovezmyrat Berdyev, the teacher’s works and those of his students win prizes at competitions of various levels, including international online platforms. The “string art” technique, which originated in Europe in the 17th century, is now being developed in the country thanks to Khodzhaev’s initiative.
Turkmenistan was represented at the Turkic World Children’s Games Festival in Istanbul
05.05.2026Pupils and staff of the “Döwletliler köşgi” Palace took part in the Turkic World Children’s Games Festival held in Istanbul. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. The event brought together participants from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Hungary, Northern Cyprus, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and various regions of Turkey, and was organized by the Turkish Ministry of National Education with the support of Turkic states. The main events of the festival took place at the historic Rami Library, which served as a venue for cultural and educational programs. National games, crafts, exhibitions, musical and dance performances, as well as traditional cuisine from the participating countries were presented there. Festival guests were able to learn about traditions, take part in games, and engage in creative activities. Particular attention was drawn to Turkmen children’s games presented by the pupils of “Döwletliler köşgi”, as well as musical and dance performances that were warmly received by the audience. Representatives of Turkmenistan spoke about the importance of national games in children’s upbringing and in preserving cultural heritage. As part of the festival, excursions to historical sites in Istanbul were also organized, forming an important part of the program for participants.
The TURKSOY Opera Days brought together artists from across the Turkic world in Ashgabat
04.05.2026A gala concert was held at the ‘Mukam’ Palace of the State Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan as part of the 27th Opera Days organised by the International Organisation of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY). The event featured performers from Turkmenistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. The concert opened with Veli Muhadov’s composition ‘Türkmenistan bagy-bossan’, performed by the State Symphony Orchestra and the State Choir of Turkmenistan. The programme featured excerpts from national operas in Turkmen, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Azerbaijani, Kazakh and Turkish, as well as arias from world classics such as ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘Pagliacci’, ‘La forza del destino’, ‘Il Trovatore’, ‘Carmen’, ‘Faust’ and others. The performances were met with applause from the audience. The finale was a joint performance of the song ‘Funiculì, Funiculà’. The event took place as part of cultural cooperation between the countries of the Turkic world and TURKSOY programmes.
Turkmen cinema will be showcased to an international audience in Turkey
03.05.2026On 4 May 2026, an international screening of Turkmen films will take place in Izmir. The event will be held in the conference hall of the Faculty of Communication at Ege University, according to IIC. The screening is scheduled to begin at 13:00. The audience will be presented with a selection of works by Turkmen directors, reflecting the country’s cultural and artistic characteristics. The programme includes the following films: ‘Gysga ýol’ (Serdar Durdyev), ‘Mähir terbiýesi’ and ‘Oýunda bilelikde’ (Mekan Gurbanaliyev), ‘Meniň oýnum’ and ‘Tikenjik, mymyjak, bagyşla’ (Rovshen Velmiyev), ‘Tebigatyň ýylgyran ýüzi’ (Mammet Hojagulyev), and ‘Ýeňişli ädimler’ (Batyr Batyrov). The aim of the screening is to promote Turkmen cinema abroad and foster cultural dialogue.
Turkmenistan’s dance art has been recognised at a festival in Khiva
03.05.2026Turkmenistan was represented at the 3rd International ‘Lazgi’ Dance Festival, which took place from 25 to 30 April in the ancient city of Khiva. The event brought together over 300 artists and researchers from 30 countries under the auspices of UNESCO and in partnership with TURKSOY, according to the Orient news agency. For Turkmenistan, participation in the festival marked a notable creative success. The dance group ‘Dessan’ was awarded one of the most prestigious prizes – the ‘Audience Choice Award’. The group’s performance at the walls of the historic Itchan-Kala fortress drew an enthusiastic response from the audience. The performers presented a medley of Turkmen folk dances as part of the ethnocultural programme, showcasing a blend of traditional melodies, national instruments and a well-crafted stage interpretation. The performance served as a vivid example of artistic dialogue between cultures. The ‘Lazgi-2026’ Festival combined not only a festive atmosphere but also a serious academic agenda. As part of the 3rd International Scientific and Practical Conference, participants discussed the significance of dance art in the development of world culture and the preservation of universal human values. Turkmen specialists also took part in a meeting of heads of relevant higher education institutions from TURKSOY countries, where the project ‘Anthology of Traditional Folk Dances of the Turkic World’ was discussed. The meeting resulted in the adoption of a document aimed at the systematic preservation and promotion of the national dance heritage of the Turkic states. The festival’s closing ceremony, timed to coincide with International Dance Day (29 April), highlighted the uniqueness of the Khorezm Lazgi, which is included on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The award ceremony for the winners of the competition programme also took place on this day. The festival was attended in person by groups and specialists from the United Kingdom, France, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Russia, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Brazil, Japan, Spain, Egypt, Georgia, India, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Qatar, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, as well as online from the USA, Austria, Jordan, Mexico, Ghana, Russia, North Macedonia, Iran, China, Pakistan and Italy.
TURKSOY concerts and new museum exhibitions are to be held in Ashgabat
02.05.2026Residents and visitors to Ashgabat can look forward to a cultural programme over the coming days, featuring concerts, exhibitions and theatre performances. This information comes from the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. On 2 and 3 May at 6.00 pm, gala concerts featuring opera singers from TURKSOY member states will take place at the ‘Mukam’ Palace of the State Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan. Artists from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan will perform. Musical accompaniment will be provided by the State Symphony Orchestra of Turkmenistan. Admission is free. The Saparmyrat Turkmenbashi Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan will open two exhibitions. On 1 May at 16:00, an exhibition marking the 105th anniversary of Niyazmyrat Dovodov, Honoured Artist of Turkmenistan, will open. On 4 May at 11:00, the exhibition ‘Gahrymanlarymyza hormat’, dedicated to Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945, will open. The capital’s theatres are continuing to stage performances from their current repertoire. However, changes to the schedule and cast are possible. Before attending, spectators are advised to check for updates at the box office or on the theatres’ official websites.
Turkmen artist awarded a special prize by TURKSOY
28.04.2026Turkmen artist Gurban Babatajov has been awarded a special TURKSOY prize following a competitive exhibition of young artists from Turkic-speaking countries, which took place in Tashkent. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The exhibition ‘One Spirit – Different Colours’ took place from 19 to 25 April and was organised by TURKSOY in collaboration with Uzbek art organisations as part of an international festival of fine and applied arts. By decision of the jury, the award was also presented to the Uzbek artist Kamoliddin Hazratulov. G. Babatajov teaches at the Turkmen State Art School attached to the Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan.
TURKSOY opera stars will perform in Ashgabat to mark the 110th anniversary of Veli Muhatov
27.04.2026A gala concert featuring leading opera soloists from TURKSOY member states will take place in Ashgabat on 2 and 3 May. The event marks the 110th anniversary of composer Veli Muhatov, the founder of Turkmen academic music, according to the IIC of Turkmenistan. The concert will serve not only as a tribute to the master, but also as a platform for cultural exchange among Turkic-speaking countries. Artists from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkey, as well as leading vocalists from Turkmenistan, will perform on stage at the ‘Mukam’ Palace. They will be accompanied by the State Symphony Orchestra of Turkmenistan, performing world classics and national works. The programme will highlight the continuity between generations and the high calibre of contemporary performers, as well as the unifying role of Muhatov’s legacy.
Filming for the international film ‘Hodja Nasreddin’ took place in the Ahal velayat
21.04.2026Filming has been completed in Turkmenistan for the international feature film titled ‘Hodja Nasreddin: My Friend in Hard Times’. The project is being carried out under the auspices of TURKSOY, with the participation of filmmakers from Azerbaijan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. This news was announced by the ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. Filming took place in the village of Gavers and the settlement of Bokurdak in the Ahal velayat. Here, caravan scenes were filmed using the Karakum Desert as a backdrop. The locations were chosen for their natural colours. The work was carried out with the participation of the “Türkmenfilm” Association named after Oguzhan. The project featured Turkmenistan People’s Artist Chary Seyitliyev. Students studying various art forms took part in the group scenes. The film tells the story of Hodja Nasreddin. The plot highlights the shared values and traditions of Turkic peoples through humour. The director and screenwriter is Vagif Mustafayev. According to him, the image of Nasreddin combines humour with social satire. The project is supported by TURKSOY. The decision to implement the project was taken at the 40th meeting of the Council of Culture Ministers of member states, held as part of the 1st Turkic World Culture Forum in Shusha in October 2023. The production is being carried out by ‘Nasreddin Production MMC’ with the support of the relevant ministries. Post-production will commence once filming is complete. The film’s premiere and participation in international festivals are planned for this summer.
An exhibition has opened in Turkmenistan to mark the Horse Festival
21.04.2026An exhibition marking the National Day of the Turkmen Horse has opened in the exhibition hall of the State Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan. The exhibition centres on works by People’s Artists of Turkmenistan Ada Gutlyev and Babasary Annamyradov. This was reported by IIC. Cultural figures spoke at the ceremony. Teachers, students of the academy and residents of Ashgabat attended. Ada Gutlyev presented a series of carpet canvases created between 2011 and 2026. The works are dedicated to Ahal-Teke horses — a symbol of the Turkmen people. Babasary Annamyradov displayed around 50 sculptures. The works carry philosophical meaning, lean towards abstraction and touch upon eternal values. The exhibition combines tradition with a contemporary perspective on national heritage.
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