Oriented on making people closer

In 2024, the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Turkmen poet Magtymguly Pyragy was included in the UNESCO List of Memorable Dates, which confirms the outstanding universal and enduring value of the classic's work, its importance in world culture.

The international recognition of the role and importance of Magtymguly’s work was marked by the holding of cultural events in honor of the anniversary date in different countries of the world. For residents of the Russian Federation, the Organizing Committee of the VIII Moscow International Art Festival "Sounds of Dutar" named after Nury Halmamedov has prepared a diverse and rich program dedicated to the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly, aiming to highlight as much as possible the sphere of spiritual wealth bequeathed by the poet-philosopher to mankind.

Here is a brief overview of them:

The international literary competition of readers "Universe of Words", is aimed at popularizing the poet's work and works of Russian literature dedicated to Central Asia and the Middle East. Cultural and artistic figures of the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan, theater and film artists, professors, and teachers of theater universities are invited to the jury.

Under the auspices of the Russian Academy of Arts and the UNESCO Chair of Fine Arts and Architecture of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the "Reflection" Poetry Illustration Contest (painting and graphics) will be held. Following the results of the competition, an exhibition of the best works will be held at the Russian Academy of Arts and the Center for Oriental Literature of the Russian State Library, and an art and poetry album with the works of the finalists of the competition will be released.

Under the auspices of the Union of Composers of Eurasia and Russia, a composer's competition "Musical works based on poems by Magtymguly Pyragy" will be held. The competition is aimed at introducing the great heritage of world culture, popularizing the work of modern composers in various directions and genres, enriching the modern performing repertoire and drawing attention to the poetic heritage of the great Turkmen poet and philosopher of the XVIII century. Famous composers, musicologists and vocal teachers from Russia and Turkmenistan have been invited to the jury of the competition.

Project competition "Seeds of Wisdom: lessons from great minds". The purpose of the competition is to attract the attention of students of secondary and higher educational institutions and to arouse interest in solving the problem of introducing children of secondary schools to the wealth of literary and musical creativity of different peoples on the example of the life and work of Magtymguly Pyragy. The competition entry is a video clip or presentation.

Together with the Department of Musical Editions and Sound Recordings of the Russian State Library, the International Scientific and Practical Conference "Magtymguly and his Role in World Culture" will be held in the Pashkov House on October 29.

There will also be a traditional Competition of musicians for the best performance of academic music based on ethno cultural traditions. Music competition within the framework of the Moscow International Festival of Arts "Sounds of Dutar" named after Nury Halmamedov is an important event in the field of strengthening and preserving national traditions and supporting gifted youth. The purpose of the music competition is to revive the mutual influence of cultures of different peoples and promote the unity of society. Each contestant can contribute to the formation of a common cultural space among the peoples of Russia and the CIS countries. The competition is held in one round, it is open to musicians from all over the world.

ORIENT news

Photo: provided by the organizing committee of the Sounds of Dutar festival