AGP Executive Report

Turkic Cultural Ties: At the Ankara summit, leaders adopted a declaration on closer cooperation as Türkiye took the Organization of Turkic States’ rotating chair. Turkmenistan’s delegation joined cultural events, while a Turkmen media official called for stronger cooperation across broadcasting and digital platforms, drawing on shared heritage and language. Ashgabat Arts: A Chinese painting and photography exhibition celebrating Xinjiang opened in the capital. Audiences also heard Hans Zimmer soundtracks performed by the Tahir Atayev Orchestra, while a conference at the Maya Kuliyeva Conservatory explored musical instruments from around the world. Young Audiences: The interactive “Cipollino” concert brought children into the music through games and storytelling, offering a lively introduction to classical works.

Arts in Ashgabat: A Chinese fine-art and photography exhibition, “Beautiful China — Beauty of Xinjiang,” opened on October 29, showcasing cultural exchange between China and Turkmenistan. Turkic Music: Turkmen tenor Atajan Berdiyev joined performers from across the Turkic world at an Ankara concert featuring Kazakhstan’s Dimash Qudaibergen and the Turkish Presidential Symphony Orchestra. Cultural Heritage: The 26th issue of the bilingual journal Türkmen arhiwi has been published, bringing together historical documents and a timeline of major events from 2025. On Stage: Ashgabat audiences enjoyed a Hans Zimmer concert by the Tahir Atayev Orchestra, while children took part in an interactive performance of Cipollino. A conference at the Maya Kuliyeva Turkmen National Conservatory also explored musical instruments from around the world. Turkic Cinema: The Korkut Ata Turkish World Film Festival returns to Istanbul on November 3–7, with filmmakers from Turkmenistan among participants and 56 films on the programme.

Archives & Heritage: The 26th issue of Turkmenistan’s historical journal Türkmen arhiwi has been published in Turkmen and Russian, featuring documents and a timeline of major events from 2025. Music & Family: Ashgabat’s Maya Kuliyeva Conservatory hosted a conference on the musical instruments of peoples around the world, while children joined an interactive concert of Karen Khachaturian’s Cipollino. The Tahir Atayev Orchestra also performed music by Hans Zimmer to a packed audience. Culture Across Borders: Turkmen filmmakers will take part in Istanbul’s Korkut Ata Film Festival, where Kyrgyz biopic Aitmatov opens on November 3. A Turkmen delegation also joined the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku, highlighting heritage preservation and youth engagement. Museum Skills: A U.S. specialist is leading Ashgabat seminars on digitizing and documenting cultural heritage for museum and research staff.

Turkic Cinema: The Korkut Ata Film Festival returns to Istanbul Nov. 3–7, opening with a biopic of Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov. Filmmakers from Turkmenistan and other Turkic countries are expected to attend. Culture & Technology: At a Baku forum, Turkmen Culture Minister Gurbanmyrat Myradaliyev called for responsible use of AI and wider access to reliable cultural content, highlighting young people’s role in protecting heritage. Ashgabat Stages: The Tahir Atayev Orchestra performed Hans Zimmer’s film scores, while a children’s concert brought Karen Khachaturian’s “Cipollino” to life through music and audience participation. Musical Heritage: Ashgabat’s Maya Kuliyeva Conservatory hosted a conference and exhibition on the musical instruments of peoples around the world. Living Traditions: Turkmenistan marked Alabay Dog Holiday with competitions, art displays and a meeting of the international association dedicated to the national breed. Museum Skills: A US specialist led Ashgabat museum seminars on digitizing and documenting cultural heritage.

Turkic Cinema: Kyrgyz film Aitmatov, about the life and work of writer Chingiz Aitmatov, will open Istanbul’s Korkut Ata Film Festival on Nov. 3. The festival runs through Nov. 7, with 56 films and filmmakers from Turkmenistan and other Turkic countries. Cultural Dialogue: Turkmen Culture Minister Gurbanmyrat Myradaliyev joined regional counterparts at the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku, speaking about preserving national heritage and involving young people in cultural and restoration work. National Heritage: Turkmenistan marked Alabay Day on Oct. 25 with exhibitions of art celebrating the breed and the “Courageous Turkmen Alabay of the Year” contest. Akgaya, a two-year-old white dog, took the top title. Stage and Arts: Ashgabat and Arkadag are set to host the fifth international theatre festival. Kazakh artists also recently performed in Ashgabat, adding another showcase of regional cultural exchange.

Intercultural Dialogue: Turkmenistan’s culture minister joined the World Forum in Baku on Oct. 27, highlighting heritage, youth involvement and cooperation across cultures. Cultural Ties with Japan: A Japanese edition of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s book on Turkmenistan’s neutrality was presented in Ashgabat, with officials pointing to cultural and educational ties between the countries. Alabay Heritage: Ashgabat’s celebrations featured the “Courageous Turkmen Alabai of the Year” contest, arts displays and a meeting of the international Alabay association. Arts and Environment: The “MAMA: Mother Nature” project invited Ashgabat audiences to explore the link between art and ecology. Theatre: Ashgabat and Arkadag are set to host Turkmenistan’s fifth international theatre festival.

Intercultural Dialogue: Turkmen Culture Minister Gurbanmyrat Myradaliyev joined a high-level Baku Process meeting on October 27, focused on dialogue and cooperation across cultures. Cultural Diplomacy: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s book on Turkmenistan’s neutrality has been published in Japanese, widening its international reach. National Heritage: Turkmenistan marked Alabay Day with contests, an arts exhibition and an international association meeting; Akgaya was named Alabay of the Year. Stage & Screen: Ashgabat and Arkadag will host the International Theatre Festival in November, while Turkmenistan’s film representatives are expected at Istanbul’s Korkut Ata festival. Arts Exchange: Kazakh artists brought music, dance and Magtymguly poetry to Ashgabat in a concert celebrating cultural ties. Art & Environment: Ashgabat’s “MAMA: Mother Nature” exhibition and “Big Wash” art flash mob invited audiences to engage with art and ecology.

Turkmen Alabay: Ashgabat marked the national dog holiday with a breeding forum and cultural displays; Akgaya, a two-year-old white Alabay, won the “Courageous Turkmen Alabay of the Year” contest. The association’s sixth meeting focused on international cooperation and combining traditional breeding with modern science. Cultural Exchange: Kazakh performers brought folk music and dance to Ashgabat’s Magtymguly Theatre in a concert celebrating Turkmen-Kazakh ties. Arts: The international “MAMA: Mother Nature” exhibition continues in Ashgabat, featuring 116 works by 62 artists, including Turkmen artists Rustem Haidov and Abdulmukhammet Deryayev. On Stage: Ashgabat and Arkadag are preparing to host the fifth international theatre festival in November, with companies from around the world. Women’s Lives: UNDP and UNFPA launched a regional programme in Turkmenistan to promote gender equality, women’s economic empowerment and more inclusive policies.

Alabay Heritage: Turkmenistan celebrated the Turkmen Alabay holiday with a contest, art displays and performances in Ashgabat. Akgaya, a two-year-old white dog, won the “Alabay of the Year” title. The international association also met to discuss breeding traditions, science and cooperation. Literary Exchange: A China–Central Asia forum in Beijing brought together more than 40 scholars to explore how literature can deepen cultural ties. Arts & Stage: Kazakh performers brought music and dance to Ashgabat in a concert celebrating cultural links. Turkmenistan is also preparing to host an international theatre festival in Ashgabat and Arkadag in November. Art & Environment: Ashgabat’s “MAMA: Mother Nature” exhibition features 116 works by 62 artists from 35 countries, including Turkmen artists. Separately, a UNDP youth conference explored climate solutions and environmental innovation. Women’s Equality: UNDP and UNFPA launched the EU-funded CHANGE programme in Turkmenistan to promote gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.

Alabai Heritage: Turkmenistan celebrated Alabai Day on Oct. 25, naming two-year-old white dog Akgaya the country’s “Alabai of the Year.” A university conference also explored the breed’s history, culture and care. Arts in Ashgabat: The international “MAMA: Mother Nature” exhibition brings 116 works by 62 artists from 35 countries to the capital, including pieces by Turkmen artists. The community art event “The Big Wash” invited children and adults to display work inspired by photography and graphics. Cultural Exchange: Kazakh performers brought folk music and dance to Ashgabat in a concert celebrating ties between the two countries. A photo exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts also showcases Kazakh traditions and daily life through archival images. On Stage: Ashgabat and Arkadag are preparing to host the V International Theatre Festival in November, with visiting companies and discussions among theatre professionals. Youth and Climate: UNDP and local partners gathered young people in Ashgabat to share ideas on climate solutions, environmental innovation and the role of digital technology.

Youth and Climate: UNDP and local partners brought young activists and students together in Ashgabat on 24 October to explore climate solutions, environmental innovation and ways to turn global goals into local action. Cultural Exchange: Kazakh performers filled Ashgabat’s Magtymguly Theatre with folk music and dance at a concert celebrating Turkmen-Kazakh ties. Theatre: Ashgabat and Arkadag will host the fifth international “Theatre Art of the Happy Epoch” festival in November, with companies from abroad and discussions among theatre professionals. Women’s Equality: UNDP and UNFPA launched a programme backed by the EU to advance gender equality, challenge harmful social norms and support women’s economic participation in Turkmenistan. Art and Heritage: Ashgabat’s “MAMA: Mother Nature” exhibition features works by Turkmen artists alongside an international collection, while a separate photo show explores Kazakh culture and daily life through historic images.

Cultural Exchange: Kazakh performers brought folk music and dance to Ashgabat’s Magtymguly Theatre, celebrating ties between the two countries. Theatre: Ashgabat and Arkadag will host the fifth international theatre festival in November, with visiting companies and discussions among directors and stage managers. Art & Environment: Ashgabat’s “MAMA: Mother Nature” exhibition features 116 works by 62 artists from 35 countries, including pieces by Turkmen artists. Community Arts: The “Big Wash” flash mob invited children and adults to display photography- and graphic-inspired works in Ashgabat, Anev and Arkadag. Regional Heritage: A photo exhibition at Turkmenistan’s Museum of Fine Arts explores Kazakh traditions and daily life through archival images. Women’s Equality: UN agencies and the EU launched a regional programme in Turkmenistan to promote gender equality, empower women and challenge harmful social norms.

Theatre & Heritage: Ashgabat and Arkadag are preparing to host an international theatre festival in November, bringing companies together for performances and exchanges. A conference at Turkmen Agricultural University also celebrated the history and cultural significance of the alabay and tazy. Tourism Links: Türkiye’s ambassador met Turkmen media representatives over breakfast on October 24, discussing tourism promotion and journalist familiarisation trips. Culture on Display: An Azerbaijani stand at Ashgabat’s UN Day event featured national food, dance and heritage. The “MAMA: Mother Nature” exhibition brings together 116 works by 62 artists, including Turkmen painters; a Kazakh photo exhibition explores everyday life and traditions, while the “Big Wash” art event welcomed participants of all ages. Women’s Equality: UNDP and UNFPA launched the Turkmen component of an EU-funded regional programme focused on changing harmful social norms and supporting women’s empowerment.

Cultural Exchange: Azerbaijan brought its heritage to Ashgabat’s UN Day event with displays of books, carpets, crafts and national cuisine, plus traditional dances. Gender Equality: UNDP and UNFPA launched Turkmenistan’s component of the EU-funded CHANGE programme, which aims to challenge harmful social norms and support women’s empowerment across five Central Asian countries. Sport: Turkmenistan’s women’s tennis team beat Iraq 3–0 in Vietnam, following an identical win over Tajikistan at the Billie Jean King Cup. Museum Exhibitions: Ashgabat’s Museum of Fine Arts is showing archival photographs of Kazakh life and traditions, while the “Mother Nature” international art exhibition has also opened in the capital. Turkmen Art: A solo exhibition at the State Museum of Fine Arts honors Hoshgeldy Shakhberdiyev, whose legacy includes nearly 2,500 paintings and graphic works.

Gender Equality: UNDP and UNFPA launched Turkmenistan’s part of the EU-funded CHANGE programme, which aims to challenge harmful social norms, empower women and support more inclusive policies. Art in Ashgabat: The international “Mother Nature” exhibition opened on October 21, bringing together cultural representatives from Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. Shared Heritage: A photo exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts explores Kazakh life, clothing and traditions through archival images from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Artist’s Legacy: A solo exhibition at the State Museum of Fine Arts celebrates Hoshgeldy Shakhberdiyev, whose short life left nearly 2,500 paintings and graphic works. Women’s Tennis: Turkmenistan beat Iraq 3–0 to claim a second straight victory at the Billie Jean King Cup tournament in Vietnam.

Education & Language: A regional education ministers’ meeting in Ashgabat explored multilingual learning, teacher-training exchanges and a shared digital library, with Kyrgyzstan highlighting linguistic diversity and equal access. Religious Expression: Reports from Turkmenistan describe police forcing some young men to shave beards associated with conservative Islamic practice; no nationwide beard ban is reported. Art & Environment: Ashgabat’s “Mother Nature” exhibition opened with 116 works by 62 artists from 35 countries, bringing together local and international voices around art and conservation. Carpet Heritage: Azerbaijani and Uzbek guests visited Ashgabat’s Carpet Museum, viewing historic and giant carpets before a show of embroidered Turkmen silk and traditional dress. Artist’s Legacy: A Fine Arts Museum exhibition is renewing interest in Hoshgeldy Shahberdiyev, whose nearly 2,500 paintings and graphic works preserve the legacy of a distinctive Turkmen artist.