Dear participants of the conference!
Please allow me to sincerely congratulate all participants of the international event taking place in the beautiful city of Ashgabat on the theme of "The interconnection of times and civilizations – the foundation of peace and development".
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan, Honourable Serdar Gurbangulyevich Berdimuhamedov, and to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the People's Council, my dear brother Gurbanguly Malikgulievich Berdimuhamedov, for their traditional friendly reception and the excellent organization of this wonderful event.
I would especially like to acknowledge that in today's turbulent and complex world, where eternal values and traditions are increasingly being lost, the leadership of Turkmenistan has elevated literature and enlightenment to the level of state policy, transforming it into an instrument of peace-loving and friendly dialogue in international relations.
There is no doubt that our conference today is a significant practical step towards strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and unity among our peoples, bringing our countries closer together, and promoting our rich spiritual heritage to the whole world.
Dear heads of delegations!
Ancient Turkmenistan is a venerable land, cradle for many great men, scholars and poets. Naturally, when speaking of this, it is customary to remember the unique thinkers and scholars of the Turkmen people – such as Ozodiy, Andalib, Shaidoy, Ghoibiy, Mullanafas, and others.
Among them, the distinguished son of the Turkmen people, whose works have enriched human thought, Mahtumkuli Firogi's creativity occupies a special place not only in the East but also in world literature.
The immortal literary heritage of the great humanist poet, celebrating virtues like peace, harmony, love, and brotherhood, has been in line with universal values across centuries.
The essence of the great poet's works, being commemorated internationally under the guidance of UNESCO on his glorious 300th birthday, embodies the noble idea that “the world is saved by kindness, friendship, cooperation, compassion, and humanity”,
In this sense, anyone who desires to understand the heart, the spirit of the Turkmen people, and the source of their great virtue such as courage and loyalty to friends, must surely delight in the poetry of Mahtumkuli.
We rightfully take pride in Mahtumkuli, who is exceedingly dear to the Uzbek people as well. He studied in the Shergozikhan madrasa in Khiva, deeply engaged in secular and religious sciences. It is well known through the pages of our common history that he highly esteemed the work of the great Uzbek poet Alisher Navoiy.
Today, the charming poems and songs of Mahtumkuli constantly resonate in our land, living in our hearts, undoubtedly serving to further strengthen the feelings of friendship between our peoples who have always been close and supportive of each other.
A special resolution was adopted in our country to broadly celebrate the 300th anniversary of Mahtumkuli Firogi's birth. Literary evenings, competitions, scientific conferences, and seminars are being held dedicated to this date. Theatres are staging plays about the poet, and a feature film has been produced in collaboration between Uzbek and Turkmen filmmakers.
Today, dozens of streets and avenues in Tashkent city and our regions are named after Mahtumkuli. Memorial complexes dedicated to this great figure have been erected in Tashkent and Khiva cities, becoming sacred places of pilgrimage.
At this time, we highly appreciate that in Turkmenistan, great respect and honor are shown towards the Uzbek people, their culture and art, and national values.
Dear friends!
We are infinitely delighted with the initiative and the idea of the leadership of Turkmenistan to build the grand Mahtumkuli Firogi Memorial Complex. This majestic place is becoming a bright symbol of the wisdom and hospitality inherent in the Turkmen people, demonstrating their high culture of enlightenment.
This wise policy has found its reflection in the unparalleled achievements of Turkmenistan over the past 30 years in terms of strengthening the foundations of statehood and improving the well-being of the people, gradually increasing the country's international reputation.
We applaud the initiative of the leadership of Turkmenistan, which led to the United Nations General Assembly declaring the coming year as the “International Year of Peace and Trust” and creating a unique global dialogue platform. We believe that the international summit to be held in Ashgabat next December will be a significant event on this noble path, and we are ready to fully support our Turkmen brothers.
Dear friends!
Once Mahtumkuli Firogi wished:
“Let the desert where Khizr walked be prosperous,
Let our homeland’s foundation be strong”
His dreams and aspirations of being a true son of his Motherland, fighting for its bright future and being a champion of Truth and justice, are fully coming to fruition today. The rapid development of brotherly Turkmenistan, the well-being and prosperity in the country, and the ever-growing international prestige please the people of friendly Uzbekistan immensely.
In conclusion, my wish is that the Turkmen land, which has given the world great figures like Mahtumkuli Firogi, always flourish and blossom!
May peace and eternal friendship reign among our peoples!
