Festive parade anda salute thundering on occasion of the Independence Day in Ashgabat

Thousands of citizens of the Turkmen capital, hundreds of guests to Ashgabat from all regions of our country and foreign states gathered together at the festively decorated main square of Ashgabat early in the morning. The cabinet ministers, heads of Mejlis, ministries and departments, public organisations, hyakims of velayats and Ashgabat, diplomats, the representatives of foreign delegations, who arrived in Ashgabat to take part in the festivities on occasion of the main holiday of our country, took their seats on the tribune. 

All the troops of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan lined at the square of Independence. 

The clock stroke 10.00. President of Turkmenistan appeared on the tribune to the tune of the Fanfare played by the Consolidated Military Orchestra of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan. All those present greeted the leader of Turkmenistan with great enthusiasm. 

The Independence Day celebrations began with the military parade that demonstrated once again the defensive power of the Fatherland, as well as the high level of training and professionalism of Turkmen warriors, who vigilantly stand guard over the achievements of sacred independence, the peace and cohesion in the native land and the prosperous and constructive life of the people. 

Secretary of the State Security Council, Minister of Defense Ya.Berdiyev addresses President of Turkmenistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country, Army General Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov with the request to begin the military parade. 

The President of Turkmenistan gives a command to begin the parade. 

The Minister of Defense drives around the armies, welcoming parade detachments. Military men, in turn, welcome the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. The National Anthem of Turkmenistan was performed. The National Flag of Turkmenistan was hoisted. 

The group of standard bearers opened the parade. The detached battalion of the Guard of Honour, carrying the National Flags of Turkmenistan and the battle standards of all the troops of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan, marched by the central tribune. 

The battalion of cadets of the military institutes participated in the parade. 

The battalion of Turkmen pilots appeared on the main square. Military servants of the Naval Forces marched through the main square of the country. Measuring out their pace, the airborne battalion and the marine battalion marched through the square. 

The antiaircraft battalion, the battalion of civil defense and rescue operations and cadets of the Institute of National Security and the Border Guard Institute marched by the central tribune. They were followed by military servants of the detachments of special operations of the State Border Guard Service and the battalions of police officers and cadets of the Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. 

The columns of modern military machines, which are placed at the service of the National Army, appeared on the square. 

Then the parade moved to the sky: the Eurocopter helicopters, Diamond-42 airplane, Su-25 attack aircrafts and the MiG-29 supersonic fighters flew above the square. 

The battalion of the Guard of Honour of the Ministry of Defence appeared in front of the central tribune, demonstrating their high proficiency level and brilliant skills in parade drill. 

The finale of the military parade in honour of the 26th anniversary of independence of the Motherland was a performance of the Military Orchestra of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan. 

A graceful Ahalteke horse was brought on the square. This beautiful horse was presented to the leader of the Turkmen state on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of independence of Turkmenistan. 

The column representing all the five regions of our country appeared on the square. The columns with the honorary elders, deputies of Mejlis and representatives of major public organisations of Turkmenistan in the first ranks appeared on the square. 

The column of sportsmen marched in front of the square. They included masters of sports, winners and prize winners of national and international tournaments. 

The representatives of Ashgabat Hyakimlik demonstrated the models of sights in the Turkmen capital. 

The column representing the education sector appeared on the square. 

Specialists of the ministries and departments and workers of all the sectors of the national economy, financial and banking spare appeared on the square. The models and panels showcased the dynamics of the economic growth of Turkmenistan. Participants in the parade were the representatives of the sphere of trade and enterpreneurship of Turkmenistan. 

Then the picturesque seascape with the rising sun and the surf on the golden sand, the sea, sailing-vessels and white-marble buildings on the Caspian Sea unfolded before the audience. 

Health care professionals of our country marched on the square. 

Labour victories in all the sectors of the national economy marked the 26th anniversary of independence. The columns of specialists of the civil aviation, railway industry, sea and river transport workers marched through the square. 

Participants in the parade on the main square of the country, representing the oil and gas industry, demonstrated their achievements. 

Then children appeared on the main square of the country. The best children's groups and young artists of the country performed a dancing composition. 

The popular dance ensembles and singers, representing the various traditions of the Turkmen people, took up the solemn melody of the celebrations. They all were united into the kushtdepdi dance that symbolizes the unity and energy of life. 

The finale of the festivities on the main square of the country was a bright song and dancing composition.

The concert in honor of Independence Day was held in the evening in front of the cultural and entertainment center "Älem", where numerous residents and guests of the capital gathered. 

Stars of the music scene, masters and young pop soloists, folklore and dance ensembles, choral groups took part in the musical performance. For the holiday composers and poets wrote new songs that were sounded during the concert. The artists also performed loved spectators’ contemporary lyric and patriotic compositions. 

And at the end of the concert, a festive salute was thundering. In the evening sky above the shining wheel of the review center "Älem" a sparkling fountain of light flared up, which blossomed with every gleam with sparkling clusters, as if scattered generously by a handful of precious stones. Impressive spectacle was a wonderful ending to today's celebration