To Be or Not to Be...? Someone’s grief, and someone’s drinking party

Traditions of the Kyrgyz people were being formed with the help of economic, trade, domestic and other relations with kindred and other tribes that were closely related to the geography of their ha...

Iran of the 60s: unsuccessful attempt to reform

After the coup of 19 March 1953 in the socio-political history of Iran there were fundamental changes: the powers of parliament were limited and the absolute power of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was...

Topic: Regional rivalry in the Middle East.

In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran are two countries that claim to leadership in the region. With a powerful resources and political potential these countries are the...

Culture & Living, Turkmenistan

Horse racing spring season starts in Turkmenistan
10.04.2012
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

The horse racing spring season has started in Turkmenistan, home of the famous Akhal-Teke horses, Turkmen Atlary (Turkmen Horses) State Association said on Tuesday.

Major annual spring horse racing trophies and prizes from the Turkmen President will be competed for on the last Sunday of April, when by tradition the Turkmen Horse Racing Festival is widely celebrated in the country. Horse riding is very popular and has an ancient tradition in Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan takes measures to treat drug addicts and alcoholics
04.04.2012
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

The draft law "On measures related to the treatment of persons suffering from alcoholism and drug addictions" has been reviewed and approved at a regular meeting of the Turkmen parliament.

According to an official Turkmen source, the legislation was designed "taking into account such key principles of public policy as caring about a person's health and well-being."

Previously, an action plan for tobacco control in Turkmenistan for 2012-2016 was also approved.

UN, Turkmenistan to expand cooperation in combating drugs
03.04.2012
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

Olga Zudova, advisor to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (
UNODC), is in Ashgabat. She is having several meetings with the Turkmen government, an official source said.

The meetings have been held at the Majlis (parliament) and the Turkmen Ministry of Health and Medical Industry. The UN representative expressed interest in the further expansion of the productive cooperation to strengthen stability in the region and the world.

The UN delegation plans to hold meetings in a number of other ministries and departments, including the Turkmen State Service for Combating Drugs.

Berdymuhamedov: One of main goals for Turkmenistan is to provide clean drinking water to population
02.04.2012
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

Provision of the population with clean drink water is one of the main goals of Turkmenistan, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov said on the threshold of forthcoming national holiday "A Drop of Water - A Grain of Gold", traditionally celebrated in the country on the first Sunday of April, the state news service Turkmen Dovlet khabarlary said on Saturday.

Agrarian and entrepreneur parties may be created in Turkmenistan
27.03.2012
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov chaired a working video conference. A number of vice-chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, heads of provinces and Ashgabat attended it, the Turkmen government said on Tuesday.

The preparation of the draft statutes of the Turkmen Agrarian Party and the Party of Entrepreneurs was raised at the meeting.

President Berdimuhamedov stressed that the creation of a multiparty system in Turkmenistan is consistent with the purposes of further democratization of society and radical social reforms.

Turkmen president signs decree on military call up
21.03.2012
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

The Turkmen President Berdimuhamedov has signed a decree transferring other military units serving by conscription to the reserves and to draft Turkmen citizens eligible for military service in accordance with the constitution and the law under 'Military duty and Military Service'.

Since this decree was published, it is planned to reserve other units of Turkmen military serving by subscription and those who served the set term, as well as to draft 18-year Turkmen citizens and older citizens, not eligible for a deferment in April-June 2012.

President: Turkmenistan government posts now complete
05.03.2012
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

Forming the new composition of Turkmenistan's Cabinet of Ministers has been completed in terms identified by legislation, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov said at a government meeting.

According to the government, Berdimuhammadov said that the government now mainly includes young executives with an average age of 46. In addition, the number of women has increased in the country's top leadership. According to national legislation, the President heads the government.

Head of Turkmenistan’s central province appointed
22.02.2012
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed a decree on Tuesday on appointment of Mammetnyyaz Nurmammedov as a hakim (governor) of the Ahal province - the country's central province.

The former head of the province, Danmyrat Myratberdiyev, has become chairman of the Association of livestock joint stock companies in Turkmenistan.

The economy of the Ahal province is of the agro-industrial nature. The province ranks second in the country in terms of territory's square (19.8 per cent) after the Balkan Province.

CIS mission: Turkmenistan presidential elections moved towards democracy
21.02.2012
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

The presidential elections in Turkmenistan held on February 12, 2012, was 'a significant step in country's movement towards the path of progress and new democratic reforms', the final report of CIS observation mission says.

Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov gained 97.14 per cent of votes at recent elections where eight candidates also took part.

Turkmenistan Flag Day pole rises into the Guinness Book of Records
20.02.2012
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

A day has been given as a public holiday on the occasion of the National Flag Day of Turkmenistan, originally celebrated on February 19th, but transferred to Feb 20, an official Turkmen source reported.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov's decree expects all agencies, enterprises and organisations irrespective of ownership to observe it.

National Flag Day first appeared in the calendar of important dates in Turkmenistan in 1995 and is celebrated by building ceremonies, celebrations and the President's address to the people.