Priceless Treasures

By TDH, *International conference dedicated to Hoja Ahmed Yasavi’s creative heritage opens in Turkmenistan* - Turkmenistan The Golden Age - Ashgabat, Turkmenistan // Thursday, September 23, 2010

The International Conference “Hoja Ahmed Yasavi and Sufi Literature of the East” opened in the Turkmen capital. The conference is organized on the initiative of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov by the Magtymguly Institute of Language and Literature of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan.

Hoja Ahmed Yasavi ranks among to the great sons of the Turkmen people, who made a profound contribution to the world history and culture. The research and promotion of the creative work of this outstanding thinker and poet, the study of his brilliant biography are an important aspect of the nation-wide work on thorough study and promotion of the cultural heritage of the Turkmen national carried out in the country in the epoch of new Revival.

The topics under discussion at the conference that evoked keen interest of Turkmen scientists and their foreign colleagues brought together orientalists, literary critics, linguists, culture experts and university teachers from over twenty countries in the Turkmen land.

The cabinet ministers, the heads and members of public organisations, the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, notable cultural workers, the heads and teachers of the institutions of higher education, journalists students attended the conference opening ceremony, which took place at the Mekan Palace in Ashgabat.

The welcoming statement President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was presented at the ceremony. Congratulating warmly participants, the Turkmen leader expressed firm belief that the conference would play a substantial role in studying Yasavi’s literary heritage and the key issues of Turkmen philology and literature and help to define its significance and influence on the world culture.

Speaking at the plenary meeting, participants representing the scientific community of different countries underscored the significant efforts taken by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to preserve, study and promote the cultural heritage of the Turkmen nation, stimulate research activity and foster international cooperation in the science and education sector. They noted that the national heritage and the right to be proud of the great compatriots had been returned to the Turkmen people, the vast opportunities for international scientific exchange had been opened up. Emphasis was put on the progressive nature of large-scale reforms in the spheres of science, culture and education implemented in Turkmenistan on the initiative of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Exchanging views on the greatness of Hoja Ahmed Yasavi’s personality, participants focused on his influence on the spiritual revival of the East and were unanimous that the works of the outstanding thinker and poet were the priceless treasures of the Turkmen people and all humanity.

Upon concluding the plenary meeting participants and guests visited the exhibition arranged in the foyer of the Mekan Palace. The exposition was composed of Hoja Ahmed Yasavi’s works, research papers dedicated to his life and work kept in the depositaries of the Library of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan and the materials about the achievements of Turkmen science and the works created by students of the State Academy of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan.

In the afternoon scientists participated in five conference sessions held at the Academy of Sciences, the National Institute of Manuscripts and the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Magtymguly Turkmen State University and Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages. Participants discussed the reports dedicated to the thinker’s life and work, interference of cultures, Hoja Ahmed Yasavi’s contribution to the development of the Turkmen language and literature, as well as the issues related to the systematization and preservation of the literary heritage of our great compatriot.

On this occasion a sadaqa [voluntary donation] was given for further wellbeing and prosperity of the country and for the good health of the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.