Cultural Days, an event celebrating and showcasing the Kingdom’s customs and traditions, was officially inaugurated in Turkmenistan on Friday.
The opening ceremony took place at Mukam Palace in the capital, Ashgabat.
Nour Sahat Sharimov, Turkmenistan’s deputy minister of culture, Khaled bin Faysal Al-Sahli, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Turkmenistan, Omar bin Mohammed Al-Aqil, general supervisor of the International Cultural Agency at the Ministry of Information, and Hassan bin Abdullah Al-Adhab, the United Arab Emirates ambassador to Turkmenistan, were the senior dignitaries at the ceremony.
Al-Sahli praised the relationship between the Kingdom and Turkmenistan. He said they were working to increase the level of cooperation and cultural awareness.
“The cultural aspect is one aspect that binds the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Turkmenistan and strengthens their strategic relations, under guidance from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, and Turkmenistan President Kurbanguli Berdymukhamedov,” he said.
Al-Sahli added that the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform plan was aimed at “building a prosperous and ambitious society, developing creativity, expanding cooperation between different nations, spreading love, peace and peaceful coexistence, and establishing cultural dialogue and openness to different cultures and civilizations.”
Sharimov thanked the Saudi Ministry of Information and the Kingdom’s embassy in Turkmenistan for their efforts in organizing Cultural Days.
He said the event was important for the promotion and development of cultural relations between the two countries.
The ceremony closed with a traditional Saudi Al-Ardeh sword dance.
Turkmenistan’s state news agency reported that there will be a meeting between representatives from the countries’ scientific communities at Magtymguly Turkmen State University. Scientists from the Kingdom will also speak on the importance of the Silk Road and the promotion of relations between Turkmenistan and the Arabian Peninsula.
Folk and musical bands will perform at Watan Cinema-Concert Hall.
The Museum of Fine Arts will host exhibitions of engravings and photographs. Visitors to Ashgabat will have a chance to see national costumes, fabrics, souvenirs and other items by Saudi craftsmen. It will also host a meeting of artists from the two countries and a masterclass for students at the Academy of Arts, Turkmenistan Today reported.
