Malaysia Among Participants At International Conference Of Ministers Of Culture In Turkmenistan

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18. (Bernama) -- Malaysia is among the countries attending the International Conference of Ministers of Culture which began yesterday in Ashgabat, said Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Malaysia M. Mashalov.

The ambassador said the two-day conference is being held in conjunction with the 300th anniversary of the birth of Turkmen’s great philosopher and poet Magtymguly Fragi (1724-1798).

Malaysia is being represented by Deputy Secretary General (Culture) of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mohd Yusri Mohd Yusoff.

“Turkmenistan’s government placed a lot of importance in the preservation and protection of cultural and historical heritage; and in fact, the year 2024 has been declared as the Year of the great poet and thinker of the Turkic world, Magtymguly Fragi,” he told Bernama.

He said representatives from important international organisations, such as the United Nations, International Organisation of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) and the Commonwealth of Independent States, are attending the event.

Mashalov said among the highlights of the event was the opening of the Magtymguly Fragi Cultural and Park Complex in the southern part of Ashgabat and the unveiling of Magtymguly Fragi’s monument yesterday.

Besides that, sculptures of famous foreign writers, poets, and philosophers of the world were also presented at the complex, the ambassador further said.

Mashalov said delegates will discuss the  literary works of Magtymguly Fragi and world cultures, and a declaration is expected to be adopted at the conclusion of the conference.

The ambassador also noted that Magtymguly, revered as the Father of Turkmen Poetry, holds a prominent place in Turkmen history and the broader Turkic-speaking world, adding that the poetic tradition he began remains vibrant and influential to this day.

Describing Magtymguly as a people’s poet and a poet full of wisdom, he remarked that Magtymguly was not only a great classical poet but also a prominent philosopher of his era. He is considered the father of Turkmen literature and the classical Turkmen language. Magtymguly's collection of manuscripts has been included in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in his message to the conference said that the conference will provide a strong impetus for expanding mutually beneficial cultural cooperation, advancing initiatives in this field, and promoting the in-depth study and widespread popularisation of Magtymguly Fragi's rich literary heritage globally.

The president also said that efforts are being made to consistently enhance cooperation between Turkmenistan, other countries, and international organisations; and that large scale programmes focused on strengthening regional and global peace, as well as fostering mutually beneficial and equitable partnerships, are being successfully implemented.

-- BERNAMA