The Turkmen Russian humanitarian dialogue remains an important channel for mutual understanding, peace and harmony between the peoples of the two countries, playing a guiding role in shaping contemporary interstate relations. Speaking at the opening of the international forum in Ashgabat dedicated to the Year of Peace and Trust and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin described the strategic partnership between Russia and Turkmenistan as a vivid example of truly honest, open and mutually beneficial relations between states.
The practical results of cooperation between the two countries in the humanitarian sphere were presented by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Turkmenistan, Ivan Volynkin, at a press briefing in early 2026. The diplomat noted that in 2025 alone more than 190 humanitarian events were organized, attended by approximately 16,000 people. At present, over 54,000 students from Turkmenistan study at Russian universities. In 2025, the quota allocated by the Government of the Russian Federation for applicants from Turkmenistan to study at the expense of the federal budget amounted to 500 places.
The head of the Russian diplomatic mission also reported that a draft intergovernmental agreement on the establishment and operating conditions of a Russian Turkmen University in Ashgabat nears finalization. The bilateral agenda also includes a project for construction of a new academic building for junior school children of the A. S. Pushkin Turkmen Russian Joint Secondary School.
In this context, the activities of the Russian House operating in Ashgabat, as the Department of Education, Science and Culture of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Turkmenistan, are of particular significance. The Ashgabat Russian House focuses on developing scientific, educational and cultural humanitarian ties between the two countries, as well as on promoting the Russian language and culture.
Over many years of operation, it has implemented a wide range of major educational and cultural projects as part of which there have been held exhibitions, concerts, film screenings, performances by Russian artistic groups and individual performers, thematic meetings, round tables, conferences, symposia and seminars on issues of international humanitarian, scientific educational, cultural and business cooperation in Ashgabat and other cities of Turkmenistan.
In December 2024, a post-secondary and technical education centre was opened. It was fully fitted with necessary equipped, including a modern audio visual system for conducting educational events. The practical course “Speak Russian Simply, Confidently and Freely!” as well as methodological seminars and training sessions for teachers and lecturers are held on a regular basis.
Young people are particularly interested in various master classes, international and nationwide competitions and Olympiads in the Russian language and literature held at the Russian House. Interest in open thematic dictations continues to grow every year, in which both children and adults take part, viewing these events as an opportunity to test their knowledge and learn something new about Russia.
The Russian House assists with selecting and referring Turkmen citizens for study and internships in the Russian Federation. Seminars and consultations on education opportunities in Russia are organized for senior school students, along with online open door events hosted by leading Russian universities. In early 2026 alone, presentations were delivered by the Tomsk State University, the Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the M. I. Glinka Novosibirsk State Conservatory, the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, the Caspian Institute of Maritime and River Transport named after Admiral F. M. Apraksin, the Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M. V. Lomonosov, and Ufa University of Science and Technology.
There operate various art studios catering to children’s interests. Special attention is given to thematic events associated with Russia’s holidays and commemorative dates. Literary and musical events dedicated to anniversaries of outstanding figures of Russian science and culture enjoy particular popularity, including the annual celebrations marking the birthday of Alexander Pushkin and Russian Language Day. Many festive events are held both at the Russian House and venues throughout Ashgabat.
The current year began with the continuation of traditional projects. A number of events were held at the Department of Education, Science and Culture, including fine arts master classes, presentations by Russian universities, intellectual games and educational activities marking Student’s Day (“Tatiana’s Day”) and the Day of Russian Science.
The Russian House successfully carries out educational and informational activities that enable the people of Turkmenistan to stay informed about events in Russia and participate in nationwide and international initiatives.
A commemorative meeting dedicated to the 82nd anniversary of the complete liberation of Leningrad from the Nazi blockade was one of the major events at the beginning of the year. The program of the memorial evening featured wartime songs and screening of the documentary film “The Blockade Diary.” Galina Mamedova, a resident of besieged Leningrad, was the guest of honour. She was presented with a letter of greeting from Governor of Saint Petersburg Alexander Beglov as a sign of respect and gratitude for the courage and resilience she demonstrated during the years of the blockade. Lyudmila Shelemetova, a resident of Ashgabat who was evacuated as an eight year old child from Leningrad to Ashgabat, also shared her memories of the hardships of wartime with those present.
At the request of the editorial board of the international magazine “Turkmenistan,” Yuliya Zaitseva, First Secretary of the Russian Embassy in Turkmenistan commented on the activities and plans of the Russian House that she is heading, which is most commonly known as the Department of Education, Science and Culture of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Turkmenistan:
“The Russian House is a place where every guest is welcome, regardless of nationality, citizenship or age. Its doors are always open to anyone wishing to learn more about Russia.”
Support and promotion of the Russian language and Russian culture, preservation of historical memory, youth exchanges, as well as promotion of Russia as a state that upholds traditional spiritual and moral values and contributes to global security and peaceful coexistence among nations remains one of the key areas of work of the Russian House. It is encouraging to note that these initiatives attract interest both among the older generation of Turkmenistan’s citizens and among young people.
Turkmenistan is my first experience of engaging with Eastern culture in the broadest sense in its profound understanding, including historical, cultural and climatic dimensions. A true understanding of a country comes through direct interaction with its people. What is especially important is that our communication involves mutual exchange and mutual enrichment. I have been working in Ashgabat for four years now and have learned a great deal here. I never cease to admire the way Turkmenistan’s people carefully preserve their traditions, cherish family values, and keep national dress, customs and practices in everyday life. Turkmenistan is one of the few countries in the modern world that stands as a vivid example of the preservation of family virtue.
The diplomat noted that in 2026 within the framework of its mandate and competence and in accordance with the tasks assigned to it, the Russian House will continue organizing events aimed at fostering public, business and scientific ties between the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan, expanding cooperation between Russian and Turkmen educational institutions and establishing and strengthening partnership relations between cities and regions of the two countries.
The annual selection of students under the educational quota established by the Government of the Russian Federation is one of the most important areas of work. In the upcoming academic year, 500 students will pursue fundamental education at leading Russian universities in various fields and specialties. It is expected that the practice of experience exchange between lecturers of Naberezhnye Chelny State Pedagogical University and their colleagues from Turkmenistan’s universities and secondary schools will continue.
It is hoped that Russian specialists in corrective pedagogy and support for children with disabilities will visit Turkmenistan this year within the framework of the international forum “Time of Good Deeds”.
In October 2026, representatives of leading Russian educational and medical institutions will take part, both in person and online, in the international exhibition and scientific conference “Healthcare, Education and Sport in the Era of the Revival of a New Epoch of a Powerful State” with the aim of developing scientific and educational ties. There are also plans to hold a wide range of cultural events, including a Russian film festival, exhibitions, art events, concerts, as well as youth initiatives such as the “Planet of Health” sports festival, intellectual games and various master classes.
The prospects for development of the Turkmen-Russian humanitarian dialogue confirm its significance and role in intensifying comprehensive cooperation between the two friendly countries.