Turkmenistan–Kazakhstan: Dialogue of Cultures of Friendly Nations

These days, the capital is hosting the Days of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which is a clear demonstration of elevating cultural relations between the two friendly countries to a qualitatively new level.

As is known, in June of this year, a large delegation of creative professionals from Turkmenistan introduced the brotherly people to our homeland's achievements in the humanitarian field as part of a cultural initiative. Today, Ashgabat welcomes envoys of Kazakh culture.

Dialogue in the field of culture serves as a kind of tuning fork for modern interstate relations. The current intensity of Turkmen-Kazakh cultural ties confidently indicates the activation of relations between the two countries, strengthening bonds of friendship and good neighborliness between brotherly peoples united by common history, spiritual values and traditions. The current creative initiative, organized in the year under the motto "Fount of Wisdom Magtymguly Fragi," is one of the significant steps toward further rapprochement between these two great cultures and peoples.

As is known, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, made a working visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan in September this year to participate in the official opening ceremony of the V World Nomad Games. As noted by Hero-Arkadag during a meeting with the President of Kazakhstan, the cultural-humanitarian sphere, developing comprehensively in a spirit of friendship and good neighborliness and being an integral part of bilateral cooperation, once again confirmed the strategic nature of relations between neighboring countries and their desire to impart new dynamics to them. In this context, it was emphasized that interstate connections are based on shared cultural-spiritual values, similar traditions, and mutual understanding.

A vivid example is the unveiling of a monument to the great poet and philosopher Magtymguly in Astana and the installation in Ashgabat's Magtymguly Fragi Cultural and Park Complex of a sculpture dedicated to one of Kazakhstan's creative figures – Kurmangazy Sagyrbayuly, a composer who performed folk songs on the dombra.

All this is clear evidence that culture, music, poetry and creativity play a significant role in maintaining friendly relations between peoples. 

Today, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan have established close cultural exchanges that include organizing conferences, tours by famous musical performers, exhibitions, film screenings, and other events.

For instance, creative workers from Oguzhan Turkmenfilm Association are collaborating with colleagues from the friendly country to shoot a documentary titled "Ismim düşdi ilden-ile," dedicated to Fragi's life and work.

The rich heritage of Magtymguly is an important and integral part of Turkmenistan's spiritual treasury, its unique national culture rooted in millennia. In this era of Revival of new epoch of the powerful state, poems by this Turkmen classic fulfill their high purpose – nurturing spiritually, morally and aesthetically. Fragi's works have entered the treasury of world culture and sound today in many languages, evoking high emotions in people.

Embodied with enduring values such as peace, humanism and good neighborliness, they serve as a powerful stimulus for strengthening interstate relations based on shared historical-cultural and spiritual traditions between two friendly nations that have made significant contributions to world civilization.

The program for the Days of Culture is quite diverse and provides insight into Kazakh culture and art's achievements and development trends. The guest delegation includes leaders and specialists from relevant fields, renowned folk singers and musicians, performers of contemporary pop songs, dance ensembles, and theater figures.

A concert by Kurmangazy Kazakh State Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments on the stage at Mukams Palace made a special impression on audiences. Additionally, symphonies, cantatas, folk melodies, and famous works by world classics were performed.

The song-and-music ensemble from Roza Baglanova State Academic Concert Organization performed at "Türkmenistan" cinema concert center. The audience warmly received the artists with enthusiastic applause.

Cinema lovers at "Aşgabat" cinema had an opportunity to watch Kazakh films such as "The Dawn of the Great Steppe" and "Paralympian."

On October 9, Mukams Palace of the State Cultural Center will host the closing ceremony of creative initiative along with joint gala concert featuring art masters from Turkmenistan and Republic of Kazakhstan.

As part of the cultural program guests will explore museum exhibits and other attractions in Turkmen capital.

Overall events, held within framework of the Days of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, aim to introduce Turkmen citizens to rich palette of art of friendly country and demonstrate closeness and strength of historical and spiritual ties between our peoples while striving for further strengthening mutual understanding.