President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov takes part in the Commemorative Day ceremony

Turkmenistan marked the Commemorative Day of 1948 Ashgabat Earthquake as we as of the warriors lost in the battlefields. The State flags was flying half-staff on occasion of sorrowful date across the country. Mourning prayers and food donations were held all around Turkmenistan.

Early in the morning, thousands of Ashgabat residents came to «Halk hakydasy» Memorial Complex to lay the flowers to the pedestal of «Ruhy tagzym», «Milletiň ogullary», «Baky şöhrat» monuments.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov took part in mourning flower laying ceremony to the monuments of «Halk hakydasy» Memorial Complex. The vehicle of the President stopped at the square in front of the Memorial Complex where the soldiers of the Guard of Honour have lined up.

The Head of the State was met by the Speaker of the Mejlis, Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, hyakims of the velayats and capital, leaders of ministries and departments, public organizations and mass media, heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in our country, foreign businessmen, elders, students, numerous residents of the capital.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov went to designated place. National anthem of Turkmenistan was played, which was replaced with sorrow melody written by Nury Halmamedov for the movie “Kepchelek” (Bitter Destiny), which became musical symbol of the Commemorative Day.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov laid the flowers to the monuments «Ruhy tagzym», «Milletiň ogullary», «Baky şöhrat». As a sign of deep mourning, the Head of the State bowed his head. Ruthless disaster took the life of the grandfather of Turkmen leader – Berdymuhamed Annayev, the Great Patriotic War veteran, teacher and populariser of national cultural heritage, in that horrible October night in 1948.

Leaders of the Mejlis, Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, hyakims of velayats and Ashgabat, heads of military and law enforcement agencies, ministries and departments, public organizations, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions accredited in Turkmenistan, foreign companies, clergymen and elders, youth, numerous residents and guests of the capital laid the wreaths and bunches of flowers were after the President of country.

Natural catastrophe caused irreparable loss to Turkmen nation. Those who survived that night of October 6, 1948, when the disaster completely destroyed Turkmen capital, have demonstrated true courage, selflessness and restraint. Common trouble consolidated the power and moral spirit of people. Today, Ashgabat is a white-marble megacity, one of the most beautiful cities of the world, oasis of peace and prosperity.

Bouquets of flowers were laid to the pedestal of «Milletiň ogullary» monument, which is the symbol of national respect of the courage and resilience of Gyoktepe Fortress defenders.

The carpet of flowers covered the foot of the monument «Baky şöhrat», which was built in honour of Turkmenistan citizens lost in combat against the fascism.

After flower laying ceremony, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the participants went to the place of memorial repast.

Addressing the participants, the Head of the State noted that adherence to commemorative traditions is one of good traditions of our nation. Being the demonstration of humanity and morality, it consolidates the solidarity of the nation. 

We deservingly continue national traditions that come from the depth of the centuries. Commemorative food donations and prayers are held on this day to honour the memory of heroes lost in the battlefields during the war and victims of Ashgabat earthquake in 1948.

Having laid the flowers to «Ruhy tagzym», «Milletiň ogullary», «Baky şöhrat» monuments, we paid tribute to the light memory of our compatriots who died in cruel wars and natural catastrophes, - the Head of the State said.

Turkmen people has survived terrible catastrophe in XX century – the Ashgabat Earthquake on 6 October 1948 night. Impact of natural disaster was merciless. Powerful earth quakes turned Ashgabat and more than 40 surrounding villages into ruins, having killed 176,000 people.

Having noted that courage, patriotism and humanity are mental features of our nation, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted that our compatriots demonstrated an example of resilience and compassion, having united and saving survived people from the ruins. Medics were fighting in hard conditions for the lives of the injured. Proper organization of rescue works, funerals of the victims, provision of the population with necessities, protection of public order allowed reducing negative impacts of the disaster. Turkmenistan citizens will always remember great support with gratitude, which was given by fraternal nations.

Continuing, the Head of the State said that our way is the way of creativeness. Prosperity of the country is provided by realization of large-scale projects and reforms in all spheres of the state life. Industrial and production, social and cultural facilities, modern houses, new villages are built and put into operation. Greatest attention is paid to development of Ashgabat to make it as international centre of political, humanitarian and business cooperation.

- We honour our prosperous life, popularize the traditions of peace-loving and friendship, improve the authority of Turkmenistan in the world arena. Our main goal is to activate multi-aspect cooperation, to consolidate the peace and friendship, to bring international relations to new level. Constructive proposals of Turkmenistan on key aspect of global and regional development have been made from the tribune of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, - President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted.

The Head of the State expressed the wish that all tributes to the victims of the earthquake and wars, food donations and prayers were heard and accepted by the Almighty. Let terrible natural disasters, which takes human lives, never happen again! Let good memory of the lost compatriots stays in our heart forever! – Turkmen leader highlighted.

The President of Turkmenistan gave floor to the mufti who read commemorative prayer, after which commemorative repast have taken place. Commemorative prayer was read again after its completion.

Having wished peace, prosperity and harmony to everybody, the head of the State said goodbye to the participants of the ceremony and left the place of event.

Commemorative ceremonies took place all around the country.