A PRESENTATION OF A NEW BOOK IN HONOR OF THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL POET OF TURKMENISTAN MAGTYMGULY FRAGI WAS HELD IN THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF UKRAINE FOR CHILDREN

Quite recently was published a complete collection of translations into Ukrainian of poems by the outstanding Turkmen poet entitled “Magtymguly Fragi. Revelation". This book became a timely gift at the peak of the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the outstanding poet of Turkmenistan in the year under the motto “Fount of Wisdom Magtymguly Fragi”.

And today, May 22, 2024, an official presentation of a new literary and artistic publication took place in Kyiv, organized by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Ukraine together with the National Library of Ukraine for children within the walls of the national library. The event was attended by ambassadors and diplomatic staff of foreign embassies accredited in Ukraine, poets, writers, translators and publishers, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, district administrations of Kyiv, higher educational institutions, incl. Turkic scholars, library managers from different cities of Ukraine, representatives of companies operating in Turkmenistan, journalists, Turkmen youth and young readers.   

Traditionally, the presentation of the book began with a press conference and speeches by the organizers, creators of the book, educators and scientists, as well as library managers from different parts of Ukraine, offline and online.

The participants of the press conference outlined the high importance of the new book - a collection of Magtymguly’s poetry in the Ukrainian language, in the deep and comprehensive study of Magtymguly’s literary heritage, its value for researchers of creativity and lovers of the poetic genre with deep semantic content. It was noted that the new edition will become famous not only thanks to the invaluable translations of Magtymguly’s poems, written by outstanding Ukrainian writers, poets, translators of the 20th century and our time, but also thanks to the interesting information contained in the preface about the life path and fate of Magtymguly, about the study of his work in Ukraine and abroad, about the features of Fragi’s versification in the general context of the poetic genre.

The main part of the event took place in the assembly hall of the national library. The co-organizers, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Ukraine Toyly Atayev and Director of the National Library of Ukraine for Children Alla Gordiyenko, spoke from the stage of the hall.

The Ambassador of Turkmenistan was sincerely grateful to the author of the book - a talented researcher of the life and work of Magtymguly, Professor Nikolay Vaskiv, modern translators of Magtymguly's poems N. Movchan and A. Kononenko, the publisher of the book V. Zelensky for their assistance in publishing a collection of poetry in the anniversary year “Fount of Wisdom Magtymguly Fragi”. Speaking about the book, it was noted that the author was able to convey how significant the role the poet played in the historical, socio-political and cultural life of the Turkmen nation, established himself in the soul of the people by the confession of eternal spiritual and moral values and continues to influence the formation and strengthening of the national self-awareness of our people, becoming a worthy example of morality, patriotism, courage, and justice for the younger generation.

Mr. Atayev emphasized the full support of the significant date by the major international organizations UNESCO and TURKSOY, which officially consolidated the celebration of the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly on their sites. 

He continued his speech with a story about the enchanting, in the literal sense of the word, opening of the Magtymguly Pyragy monument and the new cultural and park complex “Magtymguly Pyragy” in Ashgabat. The event participants were inspired by the news about the construction of a sculpture of the outstanding Ukrainian philosopher and poet Grigoriy Skovoroda on the alley of famous classical poets and thinkers from different countries on the territory of the complex.

Quoting the words of the President of Turkmenistan at the opening ceremony of the cultural and park complex: “The works of the great thinker awaken in every citizen of the country love for his native people, his beloved Fatherland, and a powerful state. We contribute to the education of high morality in our generations so that they grow up as educated youth, professionals in their field, worthy of doing good deeds for the country and the people, all humanity,” Mr. Atayev continued the idea that all ongoing events are a reflection of universal love and veneration of the outstanding genius and illustrious son of the Turkmen people, whose work, three centuries later, is known and appreciated in many countries.

The Ambassador of Turkmenistan in a solemn ceremony handed over examples of the new edition in honor of the 300th anniversary of the poet to the collections of Ukrainian libraries.

Mr. Atayev invited the participants to familiarize themselves with an exhibition of photographs organized as part of the presentation on the history, architecture, culture of Turkmenistan, traditions and customs of the Turkmen people, as well as an exhibition of national Turkmen clothing. An exhibition of book products is presented to the participants. The focus is on numerous publications in different languages about the life and work of the poet Magtymguly and collections of his poetry. Also presented is a new book by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov “Youth is the support of the Motherland” and numerous works by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, translated into Ukrainian.

Director of the National Library of Ukraine for Children Alla Gordiyenko in her speech expressed her collective conviction in the greatness of the figure of Magtymguly Fragi and the relevance of his far-sighted thoughts and philosophical views, which have rightfully become the spiritual foundation of modern society. The director emphasized the need to popularize the work of the Turkmen poet in libraries, to be inspired by his literary heritage, and recommended that children and adults read a new book with a lot of light, kindness and wisdom.

The Ambassador of Turkmenistan and the director of the national library read Magtymguly’s program poem “Türkmeniň” and “The Fate of Turkmenistan” in Turkmen and Ukrainian.

The author and compiler of the book, Nikolay Vaskiv, and one of the translators of Fragi’s poems into Ukrainian, Alexey Kononenko, spoke from the stage about how the new work was created and what meanings were embedded in the book dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the beloved poet Magtymguly Fragi.

In honor of the significant anniversary, the library staff showed an informative video about the life and work of Magtymguly Fragi, as well as about Turkmenistan.

Turkmen youth delighted the guests by playing the national instrument dutar, and students of music schools performed vocal and instrumental numbers in the Ukrainian style.

At the exhibition of photographs, books and national clothing, presentation participants got acquainted with the wealth of traditions and customs of the Turkmen people, saw the rhythms of large-scale transformations, and also tasted traditional dishes of Turkmen cuisine.

Diplomats, cultural and educational figures and all those present were unanimous in the opinion that the new edition of “Magtymguly Fragi. Revelation" will allow readers to better understand and appreciate the work of the outstanding Turkmen poet of the 18th century and will certainly contribute to the popularization of the word Magtymguly in Ukraine.