On July 4, a monument to the great Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly Pyragy (1724-1807) was unveiled in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana. The opening ceremony was attended by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Maulen Ashimbayev, and Astana Mayor Kassymbek Zhenis.
This year marks the 300th anniversary of the birth of the great Turkmen poet, and the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) declared 2024 “The Year of the Great Poet and Thinker of the Turkic World – Magtymguly Pyragy”. The 300th anniversary of Pyragy was also included in the UNESCO List of Memorable Dates for 2024-2025.
Speaking at the ceremony, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that the installation of the monument to Pyragy in the capital of Kazakhstan in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the poet testifies to the eternity and inviolability of Kazakh-Turkmen friendship. The National Leader of Turkmenistan also stated that culture, music, poetry, and creativity in general play a big role in maintaining close and cohesive ties between peoples.
The Chairman of the Kazakh Senate Maulen Ashimbayev emphasized that the poetic heritage of Pyragy is perceived in Kazakhstan as an integral part of the common treasury of Turkic culture, just like the poems and philosophical prose of the great Kazakh writer Abai.
Photo: Turkmenistan Foreign Ministry
