The main New Year tree of the country turns on the lights

The main New Year tree of the country switched on the lights, having announced on the arrival of New Year, long awaited and the most favourite holiday. 

Grandiose ceremony with the participation of thousands of young and adult Turkmenistan citizens and the guests of our country took place at the square in front of Älem Cultural and Entertainment Centre where the tallest and most beautiful New Year tree was placed. According to good tradition initiated by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the magic of winter fairy tale with wonderful adventurers, surprises and new discoveries and acquaintances is starting there, in excellent children playground located in one of the most beautiful parts of the capital, at the foothills of Kopetdag Mountains. 

The celebration brings special joy to the kids who impatiently wait for the real magic and wishes to come true from Ayz Baba and Garpamyk. New Year celebrations will come to kindergartens, schools and cultural centres with carnivals, bright music and theatre performance giving unforgettable impression to young generation. 

The organizers of current event did good job transforming the square into wonderful oriental country based on the legends and stories from the book of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov “Turkmenistan - the Heart of the Great Silk Road”. Even the name of the book turned into the slogan of New Year 2018. 

Large arch construction built in the shape of the gates of ancient oriental city surrounded by strong fortress walls with guard towers and 2018 sign between them invites to the magic kingdom. Various LED constructions displays the caravansaries and oriental bazars combined with the modernity and New Year symbols. 

Yartugulak, the most popular hero of Turkmen fairy tales invites his friends to generous table to try tasty dishes. Loud merchants touted their goods. The caravan of camels loaded with the trades, New Year gifts and toys from overseas are protected by the watchdogs. Five-tier fountain shines with LED- streams and large Turkmen yurta is located on the opposite side where the kids play with the dog. 

The dog is the symbol of 2018 according to Chinese Calendar. Vepaly the alabay will be this symbol in our country. Owing to V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games that was held in Turkmen capital with the great triumph, its image is famous and recognized in many countries of the world. The hero of our New Year fairy tale is brave and proud Vepaly, faithful friend protecting the family hearth and prosperity. 

Magic chest shining with the ornament of national patterns is compulsory attribute of oriental fairy tales. It attracts with its richness. At the same time, four arches with watches countdown the minutes of the year. 

Giant brightly illustrated book of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov “Turkmenistan – the Heart of the Great Silk Road”, based on which such impressive ancient city was recreated, attracts special attention. 

Fluffy beauty around 38 meters height together with octagonal star wit 2018 number on its top dressed in splendid attire of thousands of bright toys is located in the centre. Almost 2 thousand meters of shining garlands turned it into huge magic display showing national carpet patterns replacing each other. 

Thousands of young Ashgabat citizens and the guests of the capital, folk and dance bands, circus and theatre artists in carnival dresses, characters of Turkmen fairy tales gathered around the New Year tree expecting for miracle performance. 

Ayz Baba with young Garpamyk are hurrying to the celebration. Having come down from Koytendag Mountains, white-bearded old man set his feet around historical places of the country. He is accompanied by Hoja Kerven, Akpamyk and her seven brothers who told him ancient legends from new book of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov “Turkmenistan – the Heart of the Great Silk Road”. 

Ancient fortress of Amul, once one of the largest cities of the ancient Khorasan, was the first destination of their trip across Lebap Velayat. Located on the trade intersection of the Silk Road, this city was famous with its high culture and scientific achievements and supported the development of economic relation between the nations inhabiting Central Asia. The bazar that spread near the fortress walls cordially welcomed the guests with national treats according to the traditions of Turkmen people. 

In Mary Velayat, the travellers visited famous Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum – the largest ancient construction in Turkmenistan. There are not many architectural monuments like that left in the world, which are mentioned so often in the mediaeval manuscripts. This grandiose mausoleum brought the evidence of the glory of Turkmen nation to us through the centuries. Again, oriental bazar was located near its walls, the merchants attracted the attention of Ayz Baba with bright goods asking him to buy original gifts for the children. 

The master of the winter has also paid visit to Kunyaurgench, which is known in the manuscripts as Gurganj. Architectural pearls of Turkmen nation built for ages are the main sightseeing of the famous city of constructors, architects and decorators. There are the mausoleum of Sufi sheikh Najmeddin Kubra and true masterpiece of mediaeval architecture remained until our days, the mausoleum of Tyurabek Hanym among them. Ayaz Baba and his companions enjoyed the perpetual beauty of the destans performed by bakhshys. 

In Balkan Velayat, the travellers was met in one of the most remarkable places of Syunt Hasardag Sate Natural Reserve, in the valley of Moon Mountains resembling alien landscapes. In this original place, white-bearded old man has danced kushtdepdy together with local folk band. Being the bright sample of folk art reflecting historical and cultural traditions and spiritual experience of the nation, the kushtdepdy was nominated and lately included to the UNESCO Representative List of non-material cultural heritage of the humanity in this year by the initiative of leader of the national Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. 

Ending the trip around the places of interest of our country, the travellers stopped in the mountain valley of Ahal Velayat near magnificent white yurta Nowruz ýaýlasynyň ak öýi, which was ceremonially opened on occasion of the Independence Day this year. Ak öý reflect the commitment to the roots, sources, family traditions, sacredness of the home hearth and unity. 

From there, Ayaz Baba and his faithful friends left for the capital followed by good wishes and advices. Decorated motorcade of white convertibles followed by the caravan of buses with children who came from all over the country arrived in white city of Ashgabat. As per tradition, the route run along the place of bright events that marked the year of 2017. 

Happy ride made some stops during the trip. It was welcomed by song and dance performances; the artists of children folk bands demonstrated their creative performances. 

Upon the reach of Archabil Avenue and having changed the convertible to snow-white coach with fast ahalteke horses, Ayaz Baba and his companions arrived in the square of Älem Cultural and Entertainment Centre enjoying architectural facilities on the background of the evening sky along the way. 

Finally, long-awaited guests met by ringing and joyful songs of happy children went through shining arch and bright carnival filled the square at the main New Year tree of the country. Fantastic New Year show with the participation of theatre bands, young artists of the Children and Youth Palace, arts schools and popular singers has expanded around evergreen queen. 

Happy laughter, effervescent jokes, flaming dances and stage plays with the participation of the characters of Turkmen national fairy tales, all this whirlpool of amazing adventures involved not only the children but the adults as well. Gifts and surprises received from Ayaz Baba were the best award for the children. 

On behalf of Turkmen citizens and the participants of the event, Ayaz Baba and Garpamyk addressed cordial greetings on the coming New Year 2018 and wishes of happiness, health and success in further implementation of grandiose beginnings for the prosperity and wellbeing of the Motherland to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. They expressed their gratitude to the Head of the State for tireless care of the children, for making of the conditions for comprehensive development of growing generation. 

The beauty, New Year tree lit up by the wishes of the kids and the wave of magic wand, which involved the participants of the event into round dance was the top event of New Year show. 

All New Year trees placed on the main squares of the cities and villages of our country where bright celebrations took place on the same day were lit up with wonderful lights at the same moment. 

The show at the main New Year tree of the country ended up by the concert with the participation of children chorus and popular singers.