The 6th Borderless Onsite Meeting took place on Friday, March 15, 2024, in association with Global Commons.
This time, Ms. Geldiyeva Mivegozel, a NipCA Fellow 2019 from Turkmenistan, presented on the theme of “Turkmenistan: A Journey through Culture and History”. In addition, Mr. YAZMAMMEDOV Guvanchmuhammet, First Secretary of the Embassy of Turkmenistan, also attended the event as a special guest, and the Embassy also displayed traditional crafts and decorative items. Mivegozel-san also served traditional Turkmenistan dishes which were enjoyed by all participants.
The presentation focused on Turkmenistan, a country where magnificent nature, ancient ruins from the Silk Road, and modern cities coexist, and on the charm of everyday life there.
First, we were given an introduction to the magnificent capital city of Ashgabat, covered in white marble, with plenty of photographs. The city’s modern and unique architecture, including the Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center, the Independence Monument, the TV tower, the Marriage Palace, Ashgabat International Airport, and the Ministry of Education building, left a fresh impression on the participants.
Next, the gas crater at Darvaza in the Karakum Desert was highlighted. The crater was formed by an accident in 1971, and natural gas has been burning inside it for decades. Therefore, it is called the “Gate of Hell” and attracts tourists from all over the world. She also introduced us to other attractive places outside of Ashgabat, such as the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar and Merv, the oldest city on the Silk Road.
She also talked about the charm of daily life in Turkmenistan, focusing on bazaars and food culture. For example, “Dograma,” a dish made with Turkmenistan bread, boiled mutton, onions, and black pepper, as well as various other traditional dishes, were introduced with numerous photographs, garnering the interest of the participants.
Finally, the participants had the opportunity to try on traditional Turkmenistan ornaments and hats. In this way, this event was a valuable opportunity to experience the culture and life of Turkmenistan.
