Russian President Vladimir Putin will participate today in an international forum in Turkmenistan titled "The Interconnection of Times and Civilizations – The Foundation of Peace and Development," which marks the 300th anniversary of the birth of the great Turkmen poet and philosopher, Magtymguly Pyragy.
The event will feature the participation of over 10 heads of state, as well as leaders of international organizations including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Economic Cooperation Organization, the Turkic Council, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and UNESCO.
The Russian delegation, led by Putin, is also expected to lay flowers at Pyragy's monument.
According to Yuri Ushakov, the Russian presidential aide, Putin may hold bilateral meetings during the visit. For instance, a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has already been scheduled, during which they plan to discuss both bilateral issues and the sharply escalating situation in the Middle East. This will be Putin’s first meeting with the Iranian president, who was elected in July.
Putin last visited Ashgabat in June 2022, when he attended the Sixth Caspian Summit. The leaders of the "Caspian Five" – Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan – issued a joint communiqué at the conclusion of that summit.
About the Poet
Magtymguly Pyragy is considered the founder of the literary Turkmen language. Born in 1724, Pyragy's works expanded the role of the spoken language in poetry and moved away from the traditional Arab-Persian metrics in favor of a syllabic system. His poems and epics were passed down orally by musicians and storytellers and were first published in the early 19th century.
The International Organization of Turkic Culture has declared 2024 as the Year of Pyragy, and his anniversary has been included in the list of notable dates to be celebrated jointly with UNESCO in 2024-2025.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS