Ashgabat, July 24 | ORIENT. Today, the doors of the State Library of Turkmenistan opened wide for numerous participants and guests of a special event – a book fair of classical English-language literature. The event, dedicated by the organizers to the International Year of Peace and Trust and the US Independence Day, became a real celebration of reading, dialogue of cultures and a demonstration of active humanitarian ties between Turkmenistan and the United States.

Behind the Scenes of Knowledge: Unique Collections and Technologies

Even before the official opening, the US Ambassador to Turkmenistan Elizabeth Rood immersed herself in the world of library treasures. She visited the Department of Foreign Language Literature, which contains publications in about 50 languages. It is impressive that this department contains more than 60,000 books, 30,000 of which are in English, and the total number of periodicals exceeds 80,000! This is a treasure trove that is systematically replenished, including thanks to long-term cooperation and gifts from the US Embassy.

The Ambassador paid special attention to the hygienic department of technical control. Here, she was shown the work of a unique device for disinfecting books, donated by the American Embassy in 2009. This is not just technology - it is care for the heritage: the device allows you to carefully clean ancient manuscripts and books, preserving them for future generations.

By the way, did you know that in the Middle Ages, books could cost a fortune, and some libraries even chained them to the shelves to prevent theft? Today, technology allows us to preserve knowledge in a much more humane way!

Triumph of the Word: From Ashgabat to Oxford

After the introductory tour, a formal ceremony was held. Acting Director of the State Library Lachin Nurmukhammedova emphasized the profound significance of the event, speaking about the library's mission in educating young people and the friendly cooperation of Turkmenistan with foreign partners in the fields of science, education and culture. Special words of congratulations were addressed to Ambassador Elizabeth Rood on the first anniversary of her diplomatic mission in Turkmenistan.

US Ambassador Elizabeth Rood, thanking the organizers, addressed the guests with an inspiring speech about the invincible power of literacy and the importance of reading:

"The simple act of opening a new book enriches our knowledge, develops our thinking and creates strong leaders and thoughtful citizens. When we read the pages of a book about the rich and ancient history of Turkmenistan, an adventure novel, or the classic works of the great poet and thinker Magtymguly Fragi, books awaken our imagination and open the door to dreams."

Immersion in the World of Reading: Competitions and Cultural Dialogue

Then the event turned into an interactive platform. Ambassador Elizabeth Rood did not remain a bystander, but actively participated, sharing the joy with young readers. Children and adults competed in reading competitions, demonstrated their knowledge in quizzes, and also honed their skills in the popular "Spelling Bee" competition, which tests spelling skills of English words.

By the way, the first official Spelling Bee in the USA took place back in 1925, and the name "bee" in this context means a meeting for joint activities. As for the "bee" in the visual design of the competition, this is a reference to the "worker bee", symbolizing diligence and hard work, because winning the Spelling Bee requires exactly this kind of persistent "buzzing" over words.

Drawing classes complemented the educational program, developing not only the intellect, but also the creative abilities of young readers.

Indeed, reading is not just a hobby, it is a vital necessity that allows you to learn about the cultures of different countries, immerse yourself in the ocean of wisdom and constantly expand your horizons.

Cultural Diplomacy in Action: Growing Ties

In her conversations with the media, Ambassador Rood emphasized the successful development of cultural ties between Turkmenistan and the United States. A vivid example of this is the fruitful work of the American Councils in Ashgabat and regional centers, which actively promote the education of Turkmen youth at U.S. universities.

The proactive participation of Turkmen students already studying in America in this fair was living proof of these growing ties.

Postscript: In the digital age, when information surrounds us from all sides, events such as the book fair acquire special value. They remind us of the fundamental power of books - their ability not only to transmit knowledge, but also to connect generations, cultures, and peoples. Books remain the most important tool of public diplomacy, opening hearts and minds to mutual understanding and peace.

Seyli ARYSHOV