Turkmenistan has marked the Day of Turkmen with a ceremony. The main events took place at the Ashgabat Equestrian Complex. There, organizers announced the results of the international contest “Ýylyň türkmen edermen alabaýy” and of a creative contest for the best artistic depiction of the alabay in fine and decorative-applied art. The title “Ýylyň türkmen edermen alabaýy” went to a Turkmen alabay named Akgaya, owned by A. Bakeyev, a private dog breeder from Ashgabat.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Government, heads of the Mejlis, ministries and departments, sectoral governing bodies and public organizations, and heads of diplomatic missions and international missions accredited in Turkmenistan. Members of the international association “Türkmen alabaý itleri”, dog handlers, specialists and media representatives also took part. Artists and performing groups gave a concert, and guests were offered traditional refreshments.
Ten of the best alabays, selected at preliminary stages in different regions of the country, were led into the open arena of the complex. Each finalist represented a particular breeding line. The jury and spectators were told the dogs’ names, ages, pedigrees and owners. The alabays demonstrated skills taught by their owners. The handler’s task was to guide the dog through an obstacle course, where speed and accuracy were assessed. The contest aimed to promote domestic dog breeding and preserve the purity of the breed.
Jury chairman S. Babayev, Hero of Turkmenistan, expressed gratitude on behalf of those present to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and to National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. He thanked them for their work to develop dog breeding and promote the alabay worldwide.
The winner of the international contest received the main prize of the President of Turkmenistan, the keys to a Toyota Camry car, along with a special medal, a challenge cup and a diploma. A. Bakeyev thanked Hero-Arkadag and the President for the valuable gift and for the opportunities the state creates to preserve the purity of the breed.
The winners of the creative contest are:
Carpet category: A. Gulberdiyev, artist at the Ashgabat Artistic Carpet-Weaving Enterprise of the State Association “Türkmenhaly”, for the work “Türkmen alabaýy”;
Painting category: S. Osmanov, fourth-year student of theatrical-decorative painting at the Fine Arts Faculty of the State Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan, for the work “Miras”;
Sculpture category: B. Batyrova, second-year student at the sculpture department of the same faculty, for the work “Alabaýyň waspy”;
Printed products category: Y. Yaylimov, third-year student of architectural environment design at the Faculty of Architecture and Design of the same academy;
Camera work category: N. Orazgeldiyev, trainee lecturer at the animal husbandry department of the Turkmen Agricultural University named after S.A. Niyazov, for the work “Türkmen oba hojalyk uniwersitetinde kinolog hünärmenleriniň taýýarlanylyşy”.
The winners of the creative contest received certificates and holiday gifts on behalf of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
An exhibition by the cities of Ashgabat and Arkadag and the velayats of the country was set up along the path to the open arena. It featured works by carpet weavers, artists, sculptors, jewelers and museum staff, as well as photographs and works of fine and decorative-applied art devoted to the Turkmen alabay.
In December last year, at a session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in New Delhi (Republic of India), Turkmenistan’s nomination “Art of breeding the Turkmen alabay” was inscribed on the Representative List.
In his congratulatory message for the holiday, addressed to dog breeders, alabay enthusiasts and the people, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov called the Turkmen alabays, developed through folk selection, among the best breeds on Earth and a national pride.
Festive events marking the Turkmen Alabay Day were held in all cities and villages of the country.
