NEWS

An old game

The game of chess is one of the most interesting sports. This game has been invented in ancient times. According to historical sources, our ancestors were deeply interested in the game of chess. In the 7th century, distinguished scientists came from the descendants of Sul, the ruler of Dehistan, located in the southwest of Turkmenistan. One of them is Abu Ishaq Ibrahim al-Suli, a well-known poet of the 9th century. Moreover, in the 10th century, the writer and historian Abu Bakr Muhammed bin Yahya al-Suli wrote a book about the lives of kings and caliphs and several poems in the form of ghazals and gathered information about scientists, poets and viziers. Besides, being a well-known chess player, Abu Bakr al-Suli created a valuable work ‘Kitab al-Shatranj’ (‘the Book on Chess’). These historical facts demonstrate that the game of chess had great importance in the Middle Ages. It should be noted that chess represents a legacy from our ancestors, enjoys growing popularity in Turkmenistan, and provokes the interest of the younger generations.

17 November 2023

History

Legends about Kyarizes

Efficient water use is an element of the national culture of the Turkmen people. In ancient time, our ancestors knew how to value every drop of water and built the sophisticated irrigation systems to use moisture efficiently. Huge experience has been accumulated, which today, through the efforts of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, is enriched through widely adopting state-of-the-art technologies and managing this work. The growing wellbeing of the people is associated with the steady economic growth of the country. However, no matter how rich our water resources are, our riches required a rational and caring approach. We should learn the practices of efficient use of water resources from our ancestors. Since ancient times, a complex, but very efficient irrigation system – so called kyarizes has existed in the territory of Turkmenistan. They say that in ancient times the foothill strip of the Kopetdag Mountains was a fabulous place where people lived peacefully, a wolf and a sheep got along side by side, and a cat and a dog played together. A clear, cold river flowed into this region from distant mountains, irrigating fields and gardens, and lush greenery covered everything around. There was plenty of bread and fruit. They say there were neither rich nor poor in those distant times. People knew no need. The water flowing from the mountain peaks gave life even to dry, ba

1 September 2023

History

Ibn Sina — the great Scientist of the East

In the Middle Ages (more precisely, in the VIII-X centuries), very favourable conditions for the development of science were created in Central Asia, because at that time, schools, madrasahs and libraries were established in important cultural-scientific centres such as Nissa, Merv, Amul, Urgench (Khorezm), Bukhara, Samarkand. Our Hero Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov wrote in his book «Turkmenistan — the Heart of the Great Silk Road»: «In the middle of the 8th century Central Asia became part of the Arab Caliphate. Arab culture flourished during that time. A large number of books have been translated and are gradually being made available to the general public. There were oral versions of the stories in those books. Accordingly, trade and cultural relations were strengthened». (Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. «Turkmenistan — the Heart of the Great Silk Road». Ashgabat, TDNG, 2017, p. 62)

3 August 2023

History

The Birth of the Anau Culture

In 2024, it will be 120 years since the first archaeological work was carried out on the territory of Turkmenistan, at the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains, in the ancient settlement of Anau, under the guidance of the American researcher R. Pumpelly. This solid date echoes the announcement of Anau as the cultural capital of the Turkic world in 2024 by the TURKSOY International Organisation. The discoverer of the Anau culture, Rafael Pumpelly, was an American geologist, the author of 11 major works. He graduated from the Freiberg Mining Academy in Germany with a degree in mining engineering.

28 July 2023

History

A chilled delight that stands the test of time

Ice cream, the delightful frozen dessert loved by people of all ages, has a fascinating history that spans centuries. From its humble origins to its evolution into a worldwide phenomenon, the story of ice cream is as rich and diverse as the flavours it offers. In this article, we will delve into the captivating history of ice cream, tracing its journey through time and exploring its cultural significance.  The origins of ice cream can be traced back to ancient civilizations. It is believed that the Chinese were the first to create a rudimentary form of ice cream around 200 BC. They mixed snow with rice or milk to create a frozen treat. Similar creations were also enjoyed by the Persians, Greeks, and Romans, who flavoured their icy desserts with honey and fruits.

21 July 2023

History

Kunyaurgench Meteorite is 25 Years Old

A rare exhibit of the State Museum of the State Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan is the Kunyaurgench meteorite that is on display in a hermetically sealed case in the Department of Nature and Local History. The case, which was ordered specially in Turkey, prevents oxidation and decay of the exhibit. The meteorite – the unburned parts of the fireball were transferred inside this chamber, without being taken out, to the new building of the Ethnography and Local Lore Museum where it is on display permanently. Now schoolchildren and students come to the Museum and examine curiously the cracked alien block in the “shirt” – a burnt crust with grooves and dents that were formed when the cosmic body entered the dense parts of the atmosphere. The meteorite fell on the territory of Turkmenistan 7 km south of the city of Kunyaurgench at 5:30 pm local time in June 1998. Initially, it was kept at the geology museum of the Türkmengeologiýa State Corporation, later it was decided to exhibit it at the new National Museum of Turkmenistan (now the State Museum) so that a wider circle of scientists, citizens of the country and guests of the capital could see it. When the museum opened, the unique exhibit, registered under the number 486 as “an alien body for our planet”, adorned the collection of the Hall of Nature. The interest in the meteorite has not faded away over many years; su

7 July 2023

History

Dargan Fortress

Excursions to historical monuments, which the Lebap velayat is especially rich in, have become traditional for students of secondary educational institutions of our region. So recently, we with school students visited the vicinity of the Dargan settlement-fortress, the very name of which, according to the definition of Arab linguists, means: “barrier”, “barrage”, “dam”. Five kilometres from the Dargan fortress, over time, a settlement appeared, and then the modern town of Darganata. It is one of the towns of the Lebap velayat in the north-eastern region of Turkmenistan, bordering with Uzbekistan. Residents of Darganata are proud of the nature conservation objects located there. On the territory of Dargan, there is a mausoleum of the 14th century, called by the locals the tomb of Abu Muslim. According to the preserved inscription on the door of the mausoleum, it was built in 1371-1372 (in 773 according to Muslim chronology).

19 May 2023

History

To Protect for Descendants

Every year on April 18, the world community has been celebrating the International Day for Monuments and Sites for 40 years. The name of the date speaks for itself. Its main goal is to promote the awareness of local communities and individuals throughout the world of the importance of protecting and conserving world cultural and natural heritage. Turkmenistan can rightly be proud of its achievements in this area. The ancient monuments of the Turkmen land – Jeytun, Anau, Kara-depe, Namazga-depe, Altyn-depe, Gonur-depe proto-city, Bezegli-dere, the architectural complexes of Abiverd and Serahs, the monuments located on the banks of the Amudarya River and in the foothill valley of the Kopetdag Mountains and the medieval monuments in Merv, Kunya-Urgench and Dekhistan are the invaluable historical and cultural heritage of our country and the Turkmen people.

21 April 2023

History

HISTORY OF NATIONAL OREO COOKIE DAY

America celebrates its very special day – National Oreo Cookie Day on March 6 every year. They love a good cookie. And good cookies stem from the classics.  In fact, one of our absolute favorites is a timeless classic: the Oreo. With crisp chocolate cookies and creamy filling, these little cookies have captured our hearts and our stomachs. The Oreo was first introduced in 1912 and it has been the best-selling cookie in America ever since. We love to dunk them, twist them, and straight up take a bite. Here’’s to the delicious Oreo! The late Sam J. Porcello, a former Nabisco food scientist, is known for his work in terms of the modern Oreo cookie, which has been a creamy favorite snack for decades. This cookie creation is without a doubt one of his most notable achievements in his 34 years at Nabisco. And frankly, we believe that life has been sweeter ever since, since we at National Today just cannot get enough! The Oreo cookie is nearly 108 years old, and is enjoyed by cookie lovers of all ages across the globe.

31 March 2023

History

The secret of ancient Nisa

On the political map of the ancient world, the historical province called Parthia was located in South Turkmenistan. The Great Parthian kingdom was later formed on its basis. This state later consolidated a large geographical area and competed with Ancient Rome. Parthia is known to have had different capital cities at different times. But Nisaya has always been Parthia's «sallanchag» - the city where the state was founded, its spiritual and historical capital. It was one of the most powerful states that shook the ancient world. It was founded in Parthia, one of the satrapies (provinces) of the Seleucid State in 247 BC by Arsak I, the head of the Parn tribe and his brother Tridatus. Parthia lived for almost 500 years and it fell in 224 AD and disappeared from the scene of history. Over the centuries, information about him has faded. According to this, there are different views in science about the foundation of Parthia, the exact dates of its origin and trial, and the origin of the Arsaki dynasty.

25 March 2023

History