Turkmenistan National Days

Turkmenistan National Days

Various

The newly independent (1991) nation of Turkmenistan celebrates a large number of national holidays honoring Turkmen arts, popular culture, religion, civics, and history. Memory Day (January 12) commemorates the Turkmen tribesmen massacred by Russian Imperial troops at the Battle of Goek-Tepe in 1881. On May 9, Victory Day, the nation memorializes the end of World War II (1945). Remembrance Day (October 6) recalls those who died in the earthquake that devasted the country in 1948. Neutrality Day (December 1) promotes the government's official policy of neutrality in international affairs, while Good Neighborliness Day (December 7) publicizes Turkmenistan's intent to be a good neighbor to other countries. Turkmen Bakhsi Day (July 14) pays tribute to Bakhsi, the ancient literary genre of oral epics still popular in Turkmenistan. Horse Day (April 27) celebrates Turkmenistan's outstanding horses and the cultural tradition of horse breeding. The nation's fine oriental carpets and the women who weave them are praised on Carpet Day (May 25).
Other national holidays include New Year's Day (January 1), Ramadan (moveable), National Flag Day (February 19), International Women's Day (March 8), Novruz-Bairam, or Nawruz (March 21), A Drop of Water Is a Grain of Gold Day (April 6), Revival and Unity Day (May 18), Holiday of the poetry of Magtymguli (May 19), Kurban-Bairam ( Id al-Adha; moveable), Day of Election of the First President (June 21), Turkmen Melon Holiday (July 10), Student Youth Day (November 17), and Harvest Holiday/Bread Day (November 30).

CONTACTS:
Embassy of Turkmenistan
2207 Massachusetts Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
202-588-1500; fax: 202-280-1003
www.turkmenistanembassy.org