The opening ceremony of the monument to Makhtumkuli Fragi and the new cultural and park complex of the same name took place on the evening of May 17 in the southern part of the Turkmen capital with the participation of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
The opening ceremony was also attended by the country's leadership, heads of diplomatic missions and offices accredited in Turkmenistan, and foreign guests.
«In a beautiful corner of our capital Ashgabat, in the foothills of the Kopetdag, we are taking part in the opening ceremony of a magnificent monument to the great son of the Turkmen people, the outstanding thinker of the East Makhtumkuli Fragi and the cultural and park complex named after the poet-classic. I wholeheartedly congratulate all of you on this celebration on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the birth of the poet-classic, held at the international level in the year «Treasury of Reason of Makhtumkuli Fragi,» - President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said at the opening ceremony.
As the head of state noted, «a unique component of the complex's architecture is the alley of famous classical poets and thinkers with a world name, representing different countries and continents. The monuments erected in their honor embody the friendship, brotherhood, and good neighborliness of peoples, to which Makhtumkuli Fragi called for in his immortal works».
The President also said that in order to award citizens of the country and foreign citizens for their great merits in the careful preservation, study, and popularization of the rich and priceless literary heritage of the great master, a jubilee medal of Turkmenistan dedicated to the 300th anniversary of Makhtumkuli Fragi has been established. Numerous compatriots and foreign citizens will be awarded this medal, as well as the International Prize named after Makhtumkuli.
The height of the monument, installed on a natural elevation, is 60 meters, and the pedestal, on which are carved winged lines from the poem of the great humanist and thinker of the East «The Future of Turkmenistan» and lines from the poem of the national leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov – 25 meters.
The head of state and numerous guests of the ceremony laid flowers at the foot of the monument to the great son of the Turkmen people Makhtumkuli Fragi.
