Yesterday, a big holiday was grandly celebrated in Turkmenistan, the 77th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

The flowers laying ceremony at the monuments of the «Halk hakydasy» Memorial Complex was attended by Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Milli Gengesh, Hero Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, leaders and representatives of the national parliament, public organizations, honored elders, youth, and representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Turkmenistan.

“Victory Day is a holiday that reminds humanity of the need to live in peace, friendship and solidarity, which cultivates in generations high feelings of patriotism and humanism”, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said in his Address to war veterans and the Turkmen people on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the Great Victory.

As the head of state emphasized: “The heroism of our courageous fathers and grandfathers is an exemplary school of selfless service to the sacred Homeland, the native people and all mankind. And therefore, the suffering and torment of the harsh war years, the damage they caused, the heroic pages of the history of that period will never be forgotten! The heroes who set an example of courage and bravery in the unprecedented battles of 1941-1945 will live forever in our hearts and will be honored with eternal glory and respect!

The peacekeeping and creative policy being pursued by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as today’s large-scale achievements of our country is a grandiose monument to all Turkmen soldiers who did not spare their lives, bringing the sacred Victory closer.

The Turkmen people will never forget the valiant defenders of the Homeland, who were awarded the titles of Hero, orders and medals, soldiers’ widows, mothers and sisters, whose heroism and feat at the home front meant no less for the Victory, and is today an example and a school of education for young people who are behind successes and progress of our independent Homeland. As is known, Turkmen women donated a great amount of precious jewelry to the Defense Fund during the war years, demonstrating true patriotism and adherence to the thousand years-old traditions of their ancestors.

Our memory, our immense gratitude to the older generation is reflected in concrete undertakings aimed at protecting peace, progressive development of the independent Turkmen state, and maintaining high humanistic principles in society.

The Turkmen state treats the needs of veterans and their families with special care and attention. The names of national heroes are immortalized in commemorative editions “Hatyra” and “Şöhrat”.

In addition to a great number of benefits, veterans are provided with material support. A worthy example of preserving and perpetuating the memory of national heroes is shown to his compatriots by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who on the eve of the holiday issued a Decree on presenting valuable gifts to the Great Patriotic War veterans and widows of fallen soldiers. Highlighting the importance of the celebrations on the occasion of Victory Day, the head of state stressed that such events in the life of our Homeland are of great political importance.

A special atmosphere reigned at the majestic «Halk hakydasy» Memorial, where we pay tribute to those who died for the Homeland at the «Milletiň ogullary», to those who died in the Great Patriotic War at the «Baky şöhrat» Memorial, and to the victims of the Ashgabat earthquake at the «Ruhy tagzym» Monument.

It was especially crowded at the monument to the soldiers who fell in the Great Patriotic War, a sacred place of military glory and national sorrow. Hundreds of people came there at the call of their hearts to pay tribute to the memory of their fathers and grandfathers, representatives of the generation that defended the world from fascism, protected the freedom and independence of their native land, its right to a happy future.

As is known, in 2020, during the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, events of special significance took place in the life of our country and people. That day, the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation arrived in the Turkmen capital to participate in the celebrations on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the transfer of the Battle Banner of the 748th Infantry Regiment of the 206th Infantry Division, in which Berdimuhamed Annaev, the grandfather of our Hero Arkadag fought.

The same day, the personal file of famous warrior Berdimuhamed Annaev, who went through the entire war and returned home with victory, was delivered to Turkmenistan.

The transfer of the Battle Banner, as well as the conferment of the high state award of Russia, the Medal “For Courage” to Berdimuhamed Annaev, was accepted in our country as a sign of deep respect for the soldiers of Turkmenistan, who, shoulder to shoulder with other peoples, selflessly fought the enemy in the Great Patriotic War and contributed greatly to the common Victory.

That day, B. Annaev’s military service documents and the Battle Banner of the regiment where he served were presented to the capital’s Military School named after brave warrior Berdimuhamed Annaev.

Exhibited in the military school, these historical values are a symbol of the military path of our fathers and grandfathers, true patriots who gave their lives for the Homeland’s freedom, and the happiness of future generations.

The Eternal Flame burns in the center of the monument as an imperishable symbol of this memory.

Young warriors, worthy successors of the glorious military traditions of their great ancestors, stood in the guard of honor.

The celebration participants warmly welcomed the Hero Arkadag who arrived at the ceremony. Greeting war and labor veterans, gray-haired mothers, and all those present, Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted the historical significance of the great holiday celebrated on May 9.

The victory in the Great Patriotic War was associated with enormous difficulties and losses that fell to the lot of our grandfathers and grandmothers. According to some sources, about a million of our compatriots contributed to the common victory in the harsh years of the war. Our mothers and grandmothers accomplished a great labor feat, preserving the sanctity of family hearths and contributing to the Victory. We remember and honor their great work and heroism, and pay tribute to them, the Hero Arkadag said.

Recalling the folk wisdom, “Those who commemorate the dead gains nobility” and “Remembrance is a great and sacred deed”, the Hero Arkadag pointed out that the current celebration is very important and expressed on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan and on his own behalf sincere gratitude to elders, gray-haired grandmothers and mothers, all those present.

Then, warmly greeting the diplomats participating in the grand ceremony, the Hero Arkadag emphasized the consolidating significance of this holiday, celebrated on a beautiful spring day in the warm May rain.

Today we celebrate Victory Day together. Our grandfathers and great-grandfathers performed their feat of arms shoulder to shoulder, bringing victory closer, defending a just cause, and we won. As is known, the Arkadag continued, about a million Turkmen citizens gave their lives for the Victory, to whom we pay the tribute of our memory and gratitude. I am also highly appreciating our mothers who supported the family hearth, bringing victory closer with their work. Our women donated gold and silver jewelry to defeat the enemy, weaved and sent warm clothes to the front. Therefore, it is important for all of us that today we remember the past, our history together. And most importantly, we set an example for the younger generation, and this is our common patriotic duty, the Hero Arkadag said.

Warmly congratulating the diplomats on the holiday, Hero Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed gratitude to them for their active participation in all public and political events in Turkmenistan.

In turn, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Turkmenistan Alexander Blokhin congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the Hero Arkadag and all citizens of Turkmenistan on the great Victory Day.

As the ambassador highlighted, Turkmenistan honors its veterans and remembers those who gave their lives for their Homeland, and therefore for today’s country. “This is important not only for those who are not with us, who died, but no less significant for our contemporaries and future generations”, A. Blokhin emphasized.

Concluding the conversation, Hero Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said: “May there always be peace throughout the world! Turkmenistan is the neutral state, the only country which status has been twice recognized by the United Nations. We value and appreciate it”.

Then came a solemn moment, flowers were laid from President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Hero Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Then flowers were laid by war veterans, diplomats and all ceremony participants, sons, grandchildren, great-grandchildren of front-line soldiers, all who came today to bow their heads before the feat of national heroes.

Veterans and young warriors, to whom the state entrusted the protection of its borders, peace and independence, won at the cost of human lives given for Victory during the Second World War, stood shoulder to shoulder on the square.

The Homeland educates young Turkmen warriors, for whom there is nothing higher than selfless service to the Homeland, following the best traditions of great ancestors.

As President Serdar Berdimuhamedov notes” “To increase the world fame and prestige of our country is the sacred duty of each of us. These are the instructions of respectable veterans who call with all their hearts to be imbued with the holiness of the Homeland, to defend its honor and sovereignty, our unity and solidarity, be noble, conscientious, hardworking, study and learn, create during the Revival of the New Epoch of the Powerful State for the benefit of the Homeland and the people”.