President of Turkmenistan Sends Greetings to Finalists of the “Chalsana, Bagshy!” Competition

The President of Turkmenistan sent a congratulatory message to participants in the final stage of the “Chalsana, Bagshy!” competition, held among dutar-playing bakhshi singers and musicians. The message reads:

Dear young bakhshi singers and musicians!
Dear young people!

I sincerely congratulate you on participating in the final stage of the “Chalsana, Bagshy!” competition for dutar-playing bakhshi singers and musicians, organized as part of the contest for the President of Turkmenistan’s “Golden Age of the Turkmen” award. May new creative achievements accompany you as you passionately celebrate the rapid development of our beloved homeland, our wonderful era and our happy lives through songs and melodies inspired by the harmonious sounds of the dutar and gyjak during the Revival of the New Era of the Powerful State!

In the year “Independent, Permanently Neutral Turkmenistan—Land of Rapid Progress and Cherished Aspirations,” our prosperous country is achieving remarkable success in every sector. Large-scale state programs designed to advance national prosperity and further improve people’s living standards are being successfully implemented. In the year marking the glorious 35th anniversary of our sacred independence, the reputation of our state continues to spread worldwide, while its international standing reaches new heights. Historic developments in our independent homeland inspire our citizens to accomplish great deeds for the benefit of the people and the nation.

Dear young bakhshi singers and musicians!

The cultural diplomacy promoted by our state seeks to advance the principles of unity, peace, friendship and brotherhood throughout the world and strengthen solidarity among nations. Cultural diplomacy embodies humanitarian principles that foster global peace and goodwill.

Our country currently places considerable emphasis on developing the cultural sector. Culture plays a particularly important role in promoting our national heritage, historical values and artistic traditions, passed down by our distinguished ancestors, throughout the world. We are delighted by the successful performances of our bakhshi singers and musicians at concerts and competitions both in Turkmenistan and abroad.

Competitions and festivals are regularly organized throughout the country to further develop our people’s centuries-old bakhshi traditions and enrich our musical culture with new, contemporary compositions. The “Chalsana, Bagshy!” competition for dutar-playing bakhshi singers and musicians also helps identify talented young performers and deepen their appreciation for national musical traditions.

Our dear bakhshi singers and musicians!

In his book “The Continuation of the Meaning of My Life,” the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Hero-Arkadag, wisely observes: “The dutar is a unique art, a magical art. Indeed, the dutar is one of the things that adorn a Turkmen home and give it a distinctive beauty. A family with a dutar in its home is regarded as dignified, cultured and enlightened. A household where a dutar occupies a place of honor is considered prosperous, blessed and abundant.”

Indeed, the dutar is an inseparable part of the Turkmen people’s way of life. The heart of someone whose home gives the dutar a place of honor is filled with wings. The sound of the dutar is a wonder that inspires the soul.

The songs and melodies performed by master bakhshi singers and musicians who made outstanding contributions to the development of Turkmen musical traditions live forever in the hearts of our people. The legacy of such masters as Chary Tachmammedov, Jepbar Hansahedov, Chary Gurbanov, Yagmyr Nurgeldiyev, Hommat Jelilov, Dortguly Durdyyev, Hojamyrat Orayev, Bally Matgeldiyev, Patyshaguly Girmanov, Gaygysyz Charyyev, Dowletgeldi Okdirov, Nuryagdy Bayramov, Allaberdi Atayev, Gurbandurdy Ovezov and Parahat Shyhymov has become an exemplary school for young dutar-playing bakhshi singers and musicians.

With the natural talent, dedication and love of art that fill your young hearts, you should create songs and melodies that celebrate our wonderful era and happy lives, while further developing the Turkmen art of bakhshi performance.

Young bakhshi singers and musicians of our state!

Once again, I sincerely congratulate all of you on participating in the final stage of the “Chalsana, Bagshy!” competition for dutar-playing bakhshi singers and musicians in our country. I wish you good health and further creative achievements in developing Turkmen musical art.