On November 28-30, the capital of Turkmenistan hosted the International Festival and Conference «National song and musical art in the heritage of the peoples of the world». Sakhra Bayryeva, a teacher at the Danatar Ovezov State Special Music School of the Turkmen National Music Conservatory, told CentralAsia.news about the peculiarities of the ethnic event.
Opening ceremony and geography of participants
The event was attended by musicians from Russia, Central Asian countries, as well as Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran. The performing arts of these states were represented by folk singers and instrumentalists, ensembles of national instruments, and various ethnic groups.
The first concert was performed by Turkmen and foreign artists at the Palace of Mukams of the State Cultural Center of Turkmenistan during the grand opening of the forum. The festival program was continued by the guests' performances in various cultural centers of Ashgabat.
Master classes from foreign guests
A creative meeting between the guests and hosts of the festival was also held at the Special Music Boarding School at Maya Kulieva Turkmen National Conservatory.
The orchestra of folk instruments of the Danatar Ovezov State Special Music School of the Turkmen National Music Conservatory performed musical compositions of the peoples of the East. In turn, the national techniques of performing skills were demonstrated by the musicians of the participating countries. In an informal creative atmosphere, a master class on the art of improvisation took place.
International forum
The scientific conference emphasized the international significance of the festival. The forum was attended by members of the government of Turkmenistan, members of the international organization TURKSOY, heads of ministries, departments and universities, cultural scientists from different countries.
Preservation and development of the national musical heritage was one of the main topics of the speakers — Secretary General of TURKSOY Sultan Rayev, Minister of Culture of Tajikistan Zulfiya Davlotzade, Minister of Culture of Russia Olga Lyubimova, associate professor of the Kazakh National University of Arts Elmira Janabergen and the associate professor of State Conservatory of Uzbekistan Rustanbek Abdullayev.
They paid specific attention to the centuries-old artistic traditions, values and musical heritage of the Turkmen people, which occupy a special place in the world musical culture. In this context, they emphasized the importance of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s books «Turkmen Culture», «Bakhshi — the harbingers of people’s happiness», «Music of Peace, Music of Friendship and Brotherhood», which made a significant contribution to the study and popularization of Turkmen folklore.
Musical art exhibition
A clear confirmation of the versatility of the musical culture of Turkmenistan was the exposition of ancient musical instruments, videos of bakhshi musicians, museum valuables, thematic works of fine and decorative art organized at the Palace of Mukams. Guests of the festival were also able to get acquainted with the sights of the Turkmen capital within a special cultural program.
Ashgabat is becoming the center of international festivals
At the closing ceremony of the International Festival at the Palace of Mukams of the State Cultural Center, all participants of the forum received diplomas and memorable gifts, and a concert of masters of arts of Turkmenistan was performed.
The participants expressed their deep gratitude to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who initiated this large-scale and relevant event, for his efforts in preserving the spiritual national heritage, developing science and culture, and strengthening international contacts in the humanitarian sphere.
The international festival brought together peoples of the world in creative communication, expressing the main idea of the forum with help of music — strengthening international friendly ties and mutual enrichment of musical cultures.
