President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov launched a 500-day horse run relay race, the rout of which will run through all regions of the country and finish it at the opening day of the Asian Games 2017
The event took place in the historical and cultural reserve "Nisa", at the walls of the ancient fortress which launched an unprecedented horse running in the country, organized on the initiative of the leader of the nation on behalf of 500 days before the start of the Asian Games.
At the entrance to the ancient town there was a special atmosphere of the large Turkmen festivity. The road to the legendary fortress was decorated with small flags with symbol of the Asian Games, on both sides of the road was installed yurts, next to it on tapchans (trestle stage) is located masters of decorative and applied arts with samples of their products, and musicians.
The fortress at Nisa was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007, for decades it was done research work by well-known scientists from different countries to shed light on many mysteries of ancient history. Thanks to the excavations, it became clear that the art and architecture of Nisa represents expressive sample of style of Arsaces Palace, in which the eastern and western traditions have formed an amazing composition.
Today, members of the leadership of the country, sports communities came together. Many guests have arrived to participate in these events, including representatives of the Olympic Council of Asia, OCA member countries, as well as foreign mass media.
Among the participants of the celebration are art masters of our country, famous poets, scientists, journalists, students, youth.
At the venue of the festival there was an exhibition displaying achievements and successes of Turkmenistan in various spheres of public life and society, including sports. Special attention attracts products with the symbol of the Asian Games 2017. It is all kinds of souvenirs, textiles, accessories made of Keteni (handmade silk material) with national embroideries, gift sets. There were displays presented by domestic designers their collections of clothing and uniforms for the staff and volunteers who will serve in the Games, samples of tickets for competitions, printing materials, etc.
On the festive area, the leader of the nation is met by Vice Premiers, the Chairman of the Mejlis, heads of military and law enforcement agencies, governors (Khyakims) of the regions and the city of Ashgabat.
The Turkmen leader warmly welcomed the audience. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov exchanged friendly embraces with President of the Olympic Council of Asia Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah.
During the conversation, the leader of OCA shares his impressions of what he saw, by admiring the current swings of festival which was arranged in this historical place, the millennial glory of which gives today's celebration particular significance and high patriotic meaning.
In full readiness near the stylishly decorated stage forms a group of horse riders from 17 horsemen, who will open the equestrian parade in all regions of the country. Behind them on the fortress wall at regular intervals set bowls with burning fire. Along the walls next to each of the bowl are standing drummers and guards with spears- the custodians of a fire. Stage version carries us into the imagination of the distant past, presenting such a spectacular event. The celebration begins.
Welcoming President of Turkmenistan, the guests of honor, and all participants of the ceremony, the master of ceremony said that today in the history of independent neutral Turkmenistan there was the glorious event in the life of our nation honoring the happy and esteemed heritage. A big celebration was going on at the monuments of ancient Nisa.
Festivities dedicated to the V Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts in Ashgabat in 2017 begin today from the horse run relay race which will run through every regions of the country.
I call on President of Turkmenistan, President of the National Olympic Committee of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Today we are witnessing a large-scale and extremely important event in the history of our sovereign Motherland and the lives of courageous nation which take part in the ceremony of start of horse run, organized on the occasion of 500-days before the beginning of the V Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts, said the head of the state.
The head of the state expressed his deep appreciation to foreign diplomats, the representatives of international organizations and the media for having accepted the invitation and witnessed today's historic event.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that the horse run will be a great reflection of our rich cultural, historical and cultural heritage, traditions and customs, the current high achievements and successes.
The leader of the nation also expressed heartfelt gratitude to President of the Olympic Council of Asia Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah for his enormous personal contribution to the further development of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Olympic Council of Asia, and continued support of our activities in this area.
Then the floor was given to President of the Olympic Council of Asia and the Association of National Olympic Committees, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who also noted a truly historic significance of today's event - the start of horse run-relay race throughout the country in honor of the beginning of 500-days before the V Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts.
The Olympic village, which has no analogue in Central Asia is a source of pride not only for Turkmenistan but also for the entire region noted Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, and added that visiting Ashgabat in 2017, the representatives of the Asia and Oceania countries would have witnessed of large-scale implemented in modern Turkmenistan transformations.
The head of OCA expressed confidence that the V Asian Games will be held at the highest organizational level, will have a great importance in strengthening friendship and brotherhood ties between the nations of the region.
The drummers steps down from the fortress wall, behind them following young girls holding rhytons dressed in ritual robes resembling female outfits of Turkmen Queen Tomyris times. On their heads there are high hats. They are approaching to horse riders, creating a sort of art-historical retrospective.
Meantime, it was carried out the flags of Turkmenistan and the Olympic Council of Asia, the torch, where the flame of the Asian Games will be lighted.
The poetry is read, then the master of ceremony refers to the leader of the nation, President of the National Olympic Committee of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov with the request to hand in the State Flag of Turkmenistan to the participants of the horse run, organized on the occasion of 500 days before the start of the Asian Games 2017.
From the column of riders is separated a single rider who approaches to the head of state. The leader of the nation under the applause of the audience hands in the green flag of our country.
Then the master of ceremony asks President of the Olympic Council of Asia and the Association of National Olympic Committees, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, to hand in the OCA flag.
Sheikh also handed in the symbol of his organization to the rider.
The riders, one by one, made a lap of honor with flags in their hands, lined up in front of the stage.
Next, the master of ceremony addresses to the Head of State, President of the National Olympic Committee of Turkmenistan with the request to hand in the torch flame of the Asian Games to the participants of the equestrian run.
The leader of the nation handed in the Torch of the Asian Games to the rider who joins the first two riders. Behind them it was lined up other participants of the run.
The equestrian procession led by three riders with the flags of Turkmenistan and the OCA, and the Torch of the Asian Games which was holding a rider in the middle, hit the road.
The festive program continued the evening gala concert by the performance of Masters of Arts of the country. President of Turkmenistan and President of the OCA have become the audience of the concert.
At the entrance to the ancient town there was a special atmosphere of the large Turkmen festivity. The road to the legendary fortress was decorated with small flags with symbol of the Asian Games, on both sides of the road was installed yurts, next to it on tapchans (trestle stage) is located masters of decorative and applied arts with samples of their products, and musicians.
The fortress at Nisa was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007, for decades it was done research work by well-known scientists from different countries to shed light on many mysteries of ancient history. Thanks to the excavations, it became clear that the art and architecture of Nisa represents expressive sample of style of Arsaces Palace, in which the eastern and western traditions have formed an amazing composition.
Today, members of the leadership of the country, sports communities came together. Many guests have arrived to participate in these events, including representatives of the Olympic Council of Asia, OCA member countries, as well as foreign mass media.
Among the participants of the celebration are art masters of our country, famous poets, scientists, journalists, students, youth.
At the venue of the festival there was an exhibition displaying achievements and successes of Turkmenistan in various spheres of public life and society, including sports. Special attention attracts products with the symbol of the Asian Games 2017. It is all kinds of souvenirs, textiles, accessories made of Keteni (handmade silk material) with national embroideries, gift sets. There were displays presented by domestic designers their collections of clothing and uniforms for the staff and volunteers who will serve in the Games, samples of tickets for competitions, printing materials, etc.
On the festive area, the leader of the nation is met by Vice Premiers, the Chairman of the Mejlis, heads of military and law enforcement agencies, governors (Khyakims) of the regions and the city of Ashgabat.
The Turkmen leader warmly welcomed the audience. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov exchanged friendly embraces with President of the Olympic Council of Asia Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah.
During the conversation, the leader of OCA shares his impressions of what he saw, by admiring the current swings of festival which was arranged in this historical place, the millennial glory of which gives today's celebration particular significance and high patriotic meaning.
In full readiness near the stylishly decorated stage forms a group of horse riders from 17 horsemen, who will open the equestrian parade in all regions of the country. Behind them on the fortress wall at regular intervals set bowls with burning fire. Along the walls next to each of the bowl are standing drummers and guards with spears- the custodians of a fire. Stage version carries us into the imagination of the distant past, presenting such a spectacular event. The celebration begins.
Welcoming President of Turkmenistan, the guests of honor, and all participants of the ceremony, the master of ceremony said that today in the history of independent neutral Turkmenistan there was the glorious event in the life of our nation honoring the happy and esteemed heritage. A big celebration was going on at the monuments of ancient Nisa.
Festivities dedicated to the V Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts in Ashgabat in 2017 begin today from the horse run relay race which will run through every regions of the country.
I call on President of Turkmenistan, President of the National Olympic Committee of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Today we are witnessing a large-scale and extremely important event in the history of our sovereign Motherland and the lives of courageous nation which take part in the ceremony of start of horse run, organized on the occasion of 500-days before the beginning of the V Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts, said the head of the state.
The head of the state expressed his deep appreciation to foreign diplomats, the representatives of international organizations and the media for having accepted the invitation and witnessed today's historic event.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that the horse run will be a great reflection of our rich cultural, historical and cultural heritage, traditions and customs, the current high achievements and successes.
The leader of the nation also expressed heartfelt gratitude to President of the Olympic Council of Asia Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah for his enormous personal contribution to the further development of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Olympic Council of Asia, and continued support of our activities in this area.
Then the floor was given to President of the Olympic Council of Asia and the Association of National Olympic Committees, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who also noted a truly historic significance of today's event - the start of horse run-relay race throughout the country in honor of the beginning of 500-days before the V Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts.
The Olympic village, which has no analogue in Central Asia is a source of pride not only for Turkmenistan but also for the entire region noted Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, and added that visiting Ashgabat in 2017, the representatives of the Asia and Oceania countries would have witnessed of large-scale implemented in modern Turkmenistan transformations.
The head of OCA expressed confidence that the V Asian Games will be held at the highest organizational level, will have a great importance in strengthening friendship and brotherhood ties between the nations of the region.
The drummers steps down from the fortress wall, behind them following young girls holding rhytons dressed in ritual robes resembling female outfits of Turkmen Queen Tomyris times. On their heads there are high hats. They are approaching to horse riders, creating a sort of art-historical retrospective.
Meantime, it was carried out the flags of Turkmenistan and the Olympic Council of Asia, the torch, where the flame of the Asian Games will be lighted.
The poetry is read, then the master of ceremony refers to the leader of the nation, President of the National Olympic Committee of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov with the request to hand in the State Flag of Turkmenistan to the participants of the horse run, organized on the occasion of 500 days before the start of the Asian Games 2017.
From the column of riders is separated a single rider who approaches to the head of state. The leader of the nation under the applause of the audience hands in the green flag of our country.
Then the master of ceremony asks President of the Olympic Council of Asia and the Association of National Olympic Committees, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, to hand in the OCA flag.
Sheikh also handed in the symbol of his organization to the rider.
The riders, one by one, made a lap of honor with flags in their hands, lined up in front of the stage.
Next, the master of ceremony addresses to the Head of State, President of the National Olympic Committee of Turkmenistan with the request to hand in the torch flame of the Asian Games to the participants of the equestrian run.
The leader of the nation handed in the Torch of the Asian Games to the rider who joins the first two riders. Behind them it was lined up other participants of the run.
The equestrian procession led by three riders with the flags of Turkmenistan and the OCA, and the Torch of the Asian Games which was holding a rider in the middle, hit the road.
The festive program continued the evening gala concert by the performance of Masters of Arts of the country. President of Turkmenistan and President of the OCA have become the audience of the concert.
State News Agency of Turkmenistan
