Neutrality Day of Turkmenistan (Turkmen: Bitaraplyk baýramy) is the second most important state holiday in Turkmenistan. This date is celebrated in Turkmenistan annually on December 12.[1][2][3] It coincides with the International Day of Neutrality as well as Students Day (since 2003),[4] which is marked together with Neutrality Day.[5] It has been dubbed as Turkmenistan's "second significant national holiday".[6]

Day of Neutrality
Turkmen: Bitaraplyk baýramy
Observed byTurkmenistan
TypeState
SignificanceThe day the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution №50/80
CelebrationsFireworks, Concerts
DateDecember 12
Next time12 December 2024 (2024-12-12)
Frequencyannual

Background edit

UN General Assembly Resolution number 50/80 was adopted on December 12, 1995,[7] which expressed the hope that "the status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan will contribute to peace and security in the region." The resolution calls on UN to respect and maintain the neutrality of Turkmenistan.

Festivities edit

In Neutrality Day across the Central Asian republic are mass festivities and holiday concerts. Ashgabat hosts international conference.[8] In 2005, on the holiday's 10th anniversary, a parade of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan led by Colonel Kairam Bairamov was held in the Ashgabat Stadium.[9] In 2012, the country for the first time had all events on this date pushed back to previous days.[10]

25th anniversary of neutrality celebrations edit

2020 celebrated the 25th anniversary of Turkmen neutrality. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow received congratulations from Russian President Vladimir Putin,[11] Chinese leader Xi Jinping[citation needed] and Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko[12] on the occasion. The president presented Turkmen medals to 20 foreign dignitaries including former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Russian ambassador to Turkmenistan Alexander Blokhin, and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.[13] The celebrations came under the motto "Turkmenistan - Homeland of Neutrality".[14] An international exhibition beginning on 2 December and ending on Neutrality Day was held at the Expo Centre of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan.[15] A Turkmen-funded mosque for 500 people was inaugurated in the Faryab Province of Afghanistan on Neutrality Day.[16]

References edit

  1. ^ "Message of Congratulations on Neutrality Day". Archived from the original on 2013-10-21. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  2. ^ "Turkmenistan celebrates Neutrality Day". Archived from the original on 2021-10-08. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  3. ^ Russia's Medvedev congratulates Turkmen leader with Neutrality Day
  4. ^ "Turkmenistan marks 11th anniversary of neutrality, student youth day | Turkmenistan.ru". www.turkmenistan.ru. Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  5. ^ "TURKMENISTAN MARKS 9TH ANNIVERSARY OF NEUTRALITY | Turkmenistan.ru". www.turkmenistan.ru. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  6. ^ "TURKMENISTAN MARKS ITS SECOND SIGNIFICANT NATIONAL HOLIDAY | Turkmenistan.ru". www.turkmenistan.ru. Archived from the original on 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  7. ^ A/RES/50/80
  8. ^ Превентивная дипломатия – инвестиции в мирное будущее
  9. ^ "Turkmenistan Marks Neutrality Day with Military Parade".
  10. ^ Туркмения отметит 17-летие своего нейтралитета
  11. ^ "Greetings to President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov". President of Russia. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  12. ^ "Поздравление Президенту Туркменистана Гурбангулы Бердымухамедову | Новости | Официальный интернет-портал Президента Республики Беларусь". president.gov.by. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  13. ^ "Shinzo Abe gets Turkmen medal for investments". The Manila Times. 14 December 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  14. ^ "Turkmen parliament places Year 2020 under national motto "Turkmenistan - Homeland of Neutrality" | Turkmenistan.ru". www.turkmenistan.ru. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  15. ^ "International exhibition on 25th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality begins in Ashgabat | Turkmenistan.ru". www.turkmenistan.ru. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  16. ^ "Turkmenistan-sponsored mosque inaugurated in Afghanistan | Turkmenistan.ru". www.turkmenistan.ru. Retrieved 2020-12-19.