The prestigious Palace of Mukams in Ashgabat vibrantly opened its doors to the International Festival "Music of peace", a significant event coinciding with the International Year of Peace and Trust and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality. The festival has drawn leading composers, conductors, opera singers, and musicians from over ten nations, including Russia, China, France, and various Central Asian republics, underscoring the power of artistic exchange and international collaboration.

 

The opening ceremony commenced with a majestic rendition of the song "Türkmenistan" performed by the State Symphony Orchestra and Choir of Turkmenistan, setting a tone of national pride and welcoming international guests. The concert program showcased a diverse spectrum of operatic traditions from different national schools, with particularly enthusiastic responses from the audience to the performances by artists from Uzbekistan, China, and Armenia, who presented captivating pieces such as "Nowruz alawlary," "Unabi, marali, şuşiki," and "Saňa garaşaryn."

 

Notable highlights of the evening included a moving performance of Zemfira's aria from the opera "Aleko" and the poignant song "Haýrana galar" by the esteemed Turkmen composer Nury Halmamedov. Adding to the rich tapestry of the repertoire were renditions of "Çubonaliniň aýdymy" from the opera "The Mischief of Maysara" and "Gülçohranyň aýdymy" from the operetta "Arshin Mal Alan," performed by talented artists from Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.

 

A soloist from the Republic of Bashkortostan (Russian Federation) offered a heartfelt tribute to the Turkmen capital with the composition "Meniň Аşgabadym" (My Ashgabat), highlighting the cultural bonds between the nations. The concert culminated in a symbolic collective performance of the song "Türkmen sährasy" (Turkmen Steppe), uniting all the participating artists in a harmonious finale.

 

Beyond the captivating concerts, the festival features an exhibition in the foyer of the Palace of Mukams and includes a program of cultural excursions to Ashgabat's landmarks, as well as engaging creative meetings and masterclasses led by renowned artists for students of music schools. The "Music of peace" festival is anticipated to serve as a vital platform for the exchange of cultural experiences and the further strengthening of international humanitarian cooperation, culminating in a grand gala concert showcasing the talents of both Turkmen and international artistic luminaries.