"The Thinker of the East Magtymguly Fragi and the Contribution of the Humanitarian Poet to the Treasury of Universal Spiritual Values": a socio-cultural event at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Ukraine

The Embassy of Turkmenistan in Ukraine hosted a social and cultural event dedicated to the results of the year “Fount of Wisdom Magtymguly Fragi” and the 300th anniversary of our outstanding Turkmen poet and thinker. The final event of the anniversary year, entitled “The Thinker of the East Makhtumkuli Fragi and the Contribution of the Humanitarian Poet to the Treasury of Universal Spiritual Values,” took place on November 21, 2024, with the participation of the scientific and creative intelligentsia of the capital, including figures of culture, art and education of Ukraine, representatives of the Department of Culture of the Shevchenkivska District State Administration in Kyiv and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the leadership of the Research Institute for Socio-Economic Development of the City in the Kyiv City Council system, ambassadors of foreign states and diplomats, heads and representatives of national and district libraries of Kyiv, poets, writers, translators and book publishers, composers, management of comprehensive schools, teachers of music schools and art schools, higher educational institutions, media representatives, the Turkmen diaspora and students.

The Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Ukraine Toyly Atayev delivered a welcoming speech and summed up the results of the current anniversary year entitled " Fount of Wisdom Magtymguly Fragi ". In his speech, Mr. Atayev noted that the main goal of holding cultural, educational, creative and scientific events held in all corners of Turkmenistan and in dozens of countries around the world in honor of the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly Fragi is to promote the popularization of the literary heritage of the outstanding poet and draw attention to his philosophical world, deepening scientific research in this area. In light of the significant intensification of cooperation between Turkmenistan and UNESCO in recent years, the high importance of including the poet's manuscript collection in the UNESCO International Memory of the World Register and the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly Fragi's birth in the List of significant dates celebrated jointly with UNESCO in 2024-2025 was noted. The announcement by TURKSOY of 2024 as the “Year of the Great Poet and Thinker of the Turkic World – Magtymguly Fragi” and the ancient city of Anau as the cultural capital of the Turkic world testifies to the high value of Fragi’s creativity and the culture of Anau in the Turkic world, as
T. Atayev noted. 

The Ambassador of Turkmenistan told the guests about the key events held in Turkmenistan to mark the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly Fragi, focusing on the high-level international forum “Interconnection of Times and Civilizations – the Basis of Peace and Development” held on October 11 in Ashgabat with the participation of heads of state of different countries, focusing, among other things, on the discussion of the poet’s role in the development of national principles of statehood and his contribution to the treasury of universal values, quoting the words from the speech of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov about the great and rich heritage of Magtymguly, which predetermined the basis of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy, his ideas about peace, justice, humanism, friendship and brotherhood. Summing up the results of the rich cultural program in the anniversary year in honor of the 300th anniversary of Fragi in Ukraine, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan noted the growing public interest in the work of Magtymguly Fragi, significant dates of our country and the rich cultural heritage of the Turkmen. This year, further popularization of Magtymguly's philosophical poetry among Ukrainian readers was facilitated by the publication of a complete collection of translations of the poet's poems in Ukrainian "Magtymguly Fragi. Revelation", the presentation of which took place in May at the National Children's Library of Ukraine. A special role in popularizing the work of the master of the poetic word belongs to the Kyiv Library named Magtymguly, in which a large number of thematic events were held during the year.

Having expressed gratitude to the present cultural and artistic figures, poets, writers and translators, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Ukraine Toyly Atayev solemnly read out the text of the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan on awarding the medal of Turkmenistan "Magtymguly Pyragynyň 300 ýyllygyna" to the head of the All-Ukrainian Taras Shevchenko Society "Prosvita" Pavlo Movchan and presented the high award on behalf of the Government of Turkmenistan to the famous researcher and translator of Magtymguly's works.

The Ambassador of Turkmenistan congratulated the second laureate of the medal "Magtymguly Pyragynyň 300 ýyllygyna" Professor Nikolai Vaskiv, who received the award personally from the Head of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan Dunyagozel Gulmanova in October of this year in Ashgabat.

After the solemn ceremony of presenting the medal of Turkmenistan, Ambassador T. Atayev informed the guests about the transfer of memorable gifts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan to mark the special contribution of Ukrainian cultural figures to the development of friendship and cultural and educational cooperation between the countries. Memorable gifts in the form of a Turkmen national handmade carpet and an anniversary book of poems by Magtymguly in English were presented in a solemn atmosphere to the director of the National Publishing House of Children's Literature "Veselka", the author of books about Magtymguly, Turkmen culture and literature, translator of poetry Oleksiy Kononenko, Director General of the National Children's Library of Ukraine Alla Gordiyenko, Director of the Magtymguly Library Elena Zubar, bibliographer of the Magtymguly Library Yulia Lopata, book publisher Viktor Zelensky.

In addition, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan noted the merits of the permanent participants and speakers at the Embassy's events of Ukrainian cultural and educational figures, including the management and teachers of the comprehensive, music and art schools of the Svyatoshinsky district of Kiev, and presented them with honorary certificates from the Embassy of Turkmenistan for their valuable contribution to the popularization of the creative heritage of Makhtumkuli Fragi and the development of Turkmen-Ukrainian cultural cooperation, as well as collections of poetry by Fragi and copies of the book by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov “Independence is our happiness” in Ukrainian.

The participants of the event, in particular the winners of the “Magtymguly Pyragynyň 300 ýyllygyna” medal, who spoke at the event, emphasized the importance of further scientific study and wide popularization in the world of the Turkmen cultural heritage, in which the poetry of the humanist poet Magtymguly Fragi, who brings to light the enduring values ​​of the ideals of peace, unity and justice, occupies a special place.

The cultural event included an exhibition of Turkmen folk arts and crafts, national clothing and jewelry, a photo exhibition on the cultural heritage of the Turkmen people, and a book exhibition featuring the books of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov “Youth is the support of the Motherland” and “Anau is a culture from the depths of millennia”, the book of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov “Independence is our happiness” in Turkmen, English and Ukrainian, a jubilee collection of poems by Magtymguly published in Ashgabat, books about Magtymguly and collections of translations of the poet's poems in Ukrainian and other foreign languages. Representatives of the Turkmen youth prepared a short cultural program in honor of the holiday, recited the works of Magtymguly Fragi in their native language and impressed with their mastery of playing the dutar.