The celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence in 2026 took the form of a large-scale series of festivities, the main events of which were held in Ashgabat from 27 to 29 September. The anniversary brought together official ceremonies, a military parade, a cultural programme, equestrian displays and horse races, as well as events dedicated to the Ahal-Teke heritage.

One of the key events on 27 September was the wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument to Independence. It was attended by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the country’s leadership, representatives of the military and law enforcement agencies, the diplomatic corps, international organisations, civil society organisations, community elders, young people and residents of the capital. Following the performance of the national anthem, the President of Turkmenistan laid a wreath at the monument, after which participants in the ceremony laid flowers at its base.

The celebrations continued with a military parade

The main celebrations in honour of Independence Day took place on the square in front of the State Tribune complex. At 10.00, the Head of State arrived at the parade ground. Following a report by the Minister of Defence and Secretary of the State Security Council, B. Gundogdyev, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the country’s Armed Forces inspected the parade participants before ascending the State Tribune. Following the performance of the national anthem, the national flag was raised, and the servicemen took the oath of allegiance to the Motherland and the people.

Servicemen from various branches of the armed forces, cadets from military academies, law enforcement officers and special forces units marched in formation. For the first time, signals personnel took part in the celebratory parade. Marine units and mountain rifle battalions also marched in formation.

Military equipment featured prominently. Mechanised columns passed in front of the State Tribune, showcasing armoured vehicles, tanks, artillery systems, air defence systems and unmanned aerial vehicles. At the same time, a live broadcast showed ships passing through the port waters on the Caspian Sea.

The Ahal-Teke horse became one of the key symbols of the anniversary

A distinctive feature of the 35th anniversary celebrations of independence was that the military and official programme was complemented by a vivid national and cultural programme.

One of the most striking moments was the procession of 35 riders on Ahal-Teke horses. The number of riders symbolically corresponded to the anniversary date. This was followed by a performance by the ‘Galkynyş’ National Equestrian Games Group, which showcased elements of traditional equestrian art and show jumping.

An Ahal-Teke horse named Watan attracted particular attention. The light bay horse with a white mane was presented to the President of Turkmenistan on behalf of the members of the Government.

Another symbolic feature was the students of the Aba Annayev International Academy of Horse Breeding, who, riding Ahal-Teke horses, formed the number ‘35’.

In addition, representatives from civil society continued the festive procession. Representatives of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, the Mejlis and civil society organisations of Turkmenistan, as well as workers from the education, healthcare, construction and road maintenance sectors, marched past the State Tribune.

Separate columns were formed by young people and staff from various institutions and organisations. Management teams and artistic groups from the five velayats, along with singers, dancers and young performers, brought the festive programme to a close in front of the State Tribune.

The celebrations continued at the racecourse

On 28 September, the festive programme moved to the Ashgabat Equestrian Complex. The programme included performances by the ‘Galkynyş’ National Equestrian Games Group, equestrian competitions and horse races.

Thus, the second day served as a continuation of the theme introduced during the parade. Whilst on 27 September the Ahal-Teke racehorses featured as part of the overall festive display, on 28 September equestrian culture took centre stage in its own right.

The highlight of the programme was the festive horse races. In the final, seventh race, over a distance of 2,200 metres, the Grand Prize of the President of Turkmenistan was contested. The winner was the grey racehorse Bezirgen. The winner was awarded a cash prize of 300,000 manats and the Challenge Cup of the President of Turkmenistan.

On the same day, the 16th meeting of the International Ahal-Teke Horse Association took place in the capital, chaired by Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

As part of the anniversary year, events dedicated to equestrian sport and Ahal-Teke racehorses were held in Turkmenistan and abroad. The meeting of the International Association continued the programme of celebrations, linking national tradition with international cooperation.

In the same context, on 29 September, the 1,200-seat Ahal-Teke Equestrian Complex of the President of Turkmenistan was opened in the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains. The ceremony was attended by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Performances by cultural figures, artists and the ‘Galkynyş’ National Equestrian Games Group took place on the complex’s grounds. The musical programme was interspersed with displays by Turkmen horse riders.

The programme continued with a procession of 35 horsemen and a beauty contest for Turkmen Alabay dogs. This was followed by festive horse races. Horses representing all the velayats, as well as the cities of Ashgabat and Arkadag, took part in the competitions among professional jockeys. The National Leader of the Turkmen people rode the horse Daghan from the city of Arkadag. The horse had been specially trained by the young groom Kerimguly Berdimuhamedov.

At the end of the races, the horse Daghan was declared the winner. The Hero Arkadag was announced as the winner of the main prize — a Range Rover Sport. Following the announcement of the results, the National Leader of the Turkmen people decided to donate the prize to the Ministry of Defence of Turkmenistan. The car was accepted by the Minister of Defence of Turkmenistan, Secretary of the State Security Council B. Gundogdyev.

The anniversary as a unified festive programme

When viewed as a whole, the programme of celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of independence forms a coherent sequence of events.

On 27 September, official ceremonies and a military parade took centre stage. On the same day, the festive programme took on a vivid national character due to the participation of Ahal-Teke racehorses, 35 riders, the ‘Galkynyş’ ensemble and a performance featuring the racehorse Watan.

On 28 September, the focus shifted to equestrian sports and national traditions. The celebrations at the Ashgabat Equestrian Complex concluded with horse races and the presentation of the President of Turkmenistan’s Grand Prize.

On 29 September, the programme continued with the opening of the new Ahal-Teke Equestrian Complex, performances by artists and horsemen, a beauty contest for Alabay dogs, and celebratory horse races.

As a result, the celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of independence took on a multifaceted character. The official part centred on state symbols and a military parade; the cultural part was devoted to performances by artists and national traditions; whilst the sporting programme included equestrian competitions and horse races.

The combination of these elements became one of the distinctive features of the 2026 anniversary celebrations. The programme was structured as a series of interconnected events, in which the 35th anniversary of independence was sequentially represented through a state ceremony, military tradition, culture, sport and national heritage.

Ahal-Teke racehorses featured prominently in the programme. They were incorporated into the festival’s décor and symbolism, in a procession of 35 riders, in performances by the ‘Galkynyş’ group, in horse races and in international events.