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2024  N9-10(235-236)
ARTICLE OF THE ISSUE
MORAL STANDARD IN A TESTAMENT TO POSTERITY
The international forum “Interconnection of Times and Civilizations - Foundation of Peace and Development” was held in Ashgabat in October under the chairmanship of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov, President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited Ashgabat to participate in the forum.
The guests also included the Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of T"urkiye, the President of the UNESCO General Conference, heads of international organizations, members of foreign governments, famous scientists, cultural figures and diplomats. The forum was part of a large-scale program of celebrations of the 300th birth anniversary of the great Turkmen poet and philosopher Magtymguly Fraghi, which included many festive events organized both in Turkmenistan and abroad.
The international forum “Interconnection of Times and Civilizations - Foundation of Peace and Development” kicked off with a ceremonial meeting of the guests of honor - heads of state, government and parliament and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. Opening the forum, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov stated that Turkmens are a nation that has created spiritual and cultural values throughout their millennia-long history. The valuable ideas of the titan of world literature, Magtymguly Fraghi, have forever entered the treasury of human civilization, which explains the enormous support from leading international organizations and members of the international community for the large-scale research of the poet’s life and works.
Then, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov gave the floor to the heads of state. The first to speak was President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian. The distinguished guest noted that the friendly peoples of Turkmenistan and Iran have lived in peace and harmony since ancient times and share a common cultural heritage. Despite the difference in languages, the culture of the peoples living in the region originates from the same sources. Important parts of the history, literature and culture of the Iranian people are closely connected with the culture of the peoples of Central Asia, President Masoud Pezeshkian said.
Scientists and poets play a major role in strengthening friendly ties between the peoples of the region. In this regard, such famous representatives of Persian literature as Ferdowsi, Rudaki, Saadi, Omar Khayyam made great contributions to the popularization of the Oriental culture in the world. The outstanding thinker and poet, Magtymguly Fraghi, is also one of the personalities who elevated the native language and Turkmen culture. During his life, he left a worthy mark on the development of universal human values, and his works enriched world literature with new content.
Then, the floor was given to President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari. The distinguished guest noted that Pakistan and Turkmenistan are bound by friendly and fraternal relations based on mutual respect and aimed at achieving a better and peaceful future. Speaking about the fact that Magtymguly Fraghi and People’s Poet of Pakistan Allama Muhammad Iqbal shared views on Sufism, the distinguished guest noted that the outstanding master of words and thinker of the East was not just a poet but embodiment of love of the Turkmen people for the Motherland. His poems of the 18th century are still being studied. In his works, Magtymguly personified the cherished dream of the Turkmen people about a sovereign state.
“I am confident that the discussions at the forum will not only glorify Magtymguly Fraghi but will also open up new areas of cultural cooperation between our countries,” the distinguished guest said, suggesting using this opportunity to reaffirm the commitment to national values and work together for the benefit of future generations.
Then, the President of Turkmenistan gave the floor to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. As the distinguished guest emphasized, the international forum “Interconnection of Times and Civilizations – Foundation of Peace and Development” timed to the 300th birth anniversary of poet and thinker Magtymguly Fraghi is very relevant in today’s world.
The rich literary heritage of the great humanist, founder of Turkmen poetry and literature is rightfully included in the golden fund of world culture. Magtymguly was one of the first classical poets who revealed the beauty of the Turkmen language in its entirety. He had a unique poetic style - to express thoughts briefly and, at the same time, capaciously.
Noting that the countries participating in the forum also advocate for the consistent democratization of international life in the spirit of Magtymguly’s philosophical approaches, President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that universal peace and comprehensive development can only be ensured by taking into account the opinion of each people, while respecting the right of each state to its own sovereign course, worldview and traditions.
“Russia stands for broad international cooperation. Russia is open to discussing important issues on the international agenda with all its friends and partners, including within the CIS, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS. With this in mind, we are preparing to hold the BRICS summit in Kazan. We would certainly like to welcome President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who is chairing our meeting today, and other heads of state attending this forum to these events in Kazan,” the President of the Russian Federation emphasized.
The floor was then given to President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Noting that the works by the outstanding master of words occupy a special place in the hearts of the Kazakh people, the leader of the friendly country recalled that in May of this year an international conference entitled “Fount of Wisdom of Magtymguly Fraghi” was held in the city of Almaty.
The opening of the monument to Magtymguly Fraghi in Astana testifies to the friendship and good neighborliness between the two nations. Speaking about this, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also expressed heartfelt gratitude for the opening of a monument to the famous Kazakh musician and composer, Kurmangazy Sagyrbayev, in Ashgabat in the Magtymguly Pyragy cultural and park complex. At the same time, the distinguished guest proudly noted that during his official visit a monument to the great Kazakh poet and thinker, Abai, was inaugurated in one of the most beautiful corners of the Turkmen capital.
The works by Abai Kunanbayev and Magtymguly Fraghi combine a caring approach to spiritual sources and deep reflections on the future of their peoples, lofty ideas of humanism and calls for prosperity. “Their rich spiritual heritage, which occupies a special place in the multifaceted culture of our peoples, belongs to all mankind,” the President of Kazakhstan emphasized.
Then, the floor was given to President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who proudly noted that the people of Uzbekistan also highly appreciates and loves the works by Magtymguly. The poet received his education at the Shirgazi Khan madrasah in Khiva, where he studied secular and theological sciences. Magtymguly revered prominent Uzbek poet and philosopher Alisher Navoi as his mentor. Nowadays, the wonderful poems by Magtymguly and the beautiful songs created on his poems are constantly heard in Uzbekistan.
He noted that a special resolution was adopted in Uzbekistan on the large-scale celebration of the 300th birth anniversary of Magtymguly Fraghi. Literary soirees, contests, conferences and other thematic events are held in Uzbekistan on this occasion. Performances are staged in theaters, Uzbek and Turkmen filmmakers shot a joint feature film about the life and works of the great poet. Streets and alleys in the Uzbek capital and regions have been named after Magtymguly. Monuments to the genius master of words have been erected in Tashkent and Khiva.
Then, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov gave the floor to President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon. President Emomali Rahmon said that a monument to Magtymguly was erected in Dushanbe, and one of the picturesque streets of the capital of Tajikistan was named after him. As the Tajik leader emphasized, Magtymguly Fraghi with his unique heritage made a significant contribution to the development of the culture and literature of the peoples of Central Asia. His works are also inextricably linked with the great heritage of the Tajik-Persian literature. As can be seen from the poet’s works, he drew his inspiration from the works by such world-famous thinkers as Abulkasim Ferdowsi, Omar Khayyam, Saadi, Shirazi, Jalaleddin Balkhi, Hafiz Shirazi. Fraghi’s works, in turn, inspire contemporary Tajik writers. They have translated and published dozens of collections of his works into the Tajik language.
Magtymguly’s works are permeated with such humanistic ideas as friendship, brotherhood, goodwill, caring for people and the moral beauty of man. There is no doubt that his literary heritage is an important bridge for expanding intercultural ties and bringing our countries and peoples closer together.
The floor was then given to President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov. Expressing confidence that this forum would become an effective platform for strengthening multilateral cultural and humanitarian cooperation, the Kyrgyz leader noted that such events provide an excellent opportunity to discuss issues of intensifying relations between peoples. They make it possible to expand a targeted dialogue and lay the foundations for close partnership, as spiritual and cultural values are an attribute of constructive international interaction and sustainable peace.
The President of the Kyrgyz Republic noted the great importance of celebrating the 300th birth anniversary of Magtymguly Fraghi in strengthening cultural ties between peoples. Culture not only unites but also stimulates new achievements, allows us to understand each other much better and establish strong relationships based on mutual respect and trust.
Then, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov gave the floor to President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan. The head of the friendly state emphasized that people in Armenia are familiar with the works by Magtymguly Fraghi. Magtymguly’s works are based on universal human values, thanks to which he significantly expanded the boundaries of the semantics of national literature. In this regard, the current forum should be considered a very important undertaking that makes it possible to rethink classical literature, popularize mutual respect and clearly understand the need for active inclusion of national literatures in the world heritage.
The floor was then given to President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh. As the leader of Mongolia stressed, the peoples of Central Asia highly revere the poet and thinker, founder of the Turkmen literary language, who made a colossal contribution to the development of world literature and the civilization of the East. Magtymguly’s works also express the love of nomadic Turkmens for their native land - the endless steppes where they found a home, their desire to live in harmony with nature. The civilization of nomads is based on a caring attitude towards nature, the thrifty use of its gifts and the desire to live in harmony with it.
The Turkmen poet and thinker laid the foundation for the doctrine of sustainable development, which now forms the basis of life and development of all mankind. The distinguished guest expressed confidence that the international forum “Interconnection of Times and Civilizations – Foundation of Peace and Development” would become a kind of significant contribution to maintaining peace, sustainable development and well-being of mankind.
Summing up the high-level meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov once again thanked all those present for participating in the international forum “Interconnection of Times and Civilizations – Foundation of Peace and Development”. A final document was adopted at the end of the plenary session.
Cooperation and mutual enrichment of cultures have always been integral factors of movement towards more advanced forms of artistic cognition and reflection of reality. And today, the works by Magtymguly Fraghi, absorbing the subtle wisdom of Oriental poetry, continues to illuminate the paths of development of national literatures, cultures of the peoples of the region and the world.

Ahmetdzan NURIEV


©Turkmenistan Analytic magazine, 2005