Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov “does not like people smarter than himself.” Biography President of Turkmenistan biography

Gurbanguly Myalikkulievich Berdimuhamedov was born in 1957 in the village of Babarap, Geok-Tepinsky district, Ashgabat region, Turkmen SSR. In 1979 he graduated from the dental faculty of the Turkmen State Medical Institute. Since 1979, Berdimuhamedov worked as a dentist in Ashgabat. In 1987 he went to Moscow for graduate school, graduated in 1990 and received a Ph.D. in medical sciences. In 1990-1995, Berdimuhamedov held the positions of assistant at the department of therapeutic dentistry, associate professor and dean of the dental faculty of the Turkmen State Medical Institute.

In 1995, Berdimuhamedov became director of the dental center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. On May 28, 1997, he was appointed Minister of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. In addition, in 1998, he became the head of the Saparmurat Niyazov International Medical Center. On April 3, 2001, Berdimuhamedov, in addition to his ministerial position, became Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Turkmenistan, responsible for healthcare, education and science, and from August 2004, he also began to oversee culture and the media.

Berdymukhamedov's activities as minister and vice president were practically not covered in the media, as was the work of other high-ranking Turkmen officials. It is known that in November 2002, he ordered the expansion of the experiment of renaming the days of the week and months of the year, as well as replacing the traditional greeting “Salam Aleikum” in favor of Niyazov’s “Rukhnama” and “Shamchirag”. In July 2003, Berdymukhamedov headed the state commission for admission to higher educational institutions, which became possible to enter only after two years of work in the chosen specialty, and not immediately after graduation. It was planned to enroll 3,920 students in 16 Turkmen universities from July 9 to August 9, 2003. In November 2003, Berdymukhamedov was reprimanded by Turkmen President Niyazov for the low level of qualifications of Turkmen doctors, but retained his post. In April 2004, Niyazov fined Berdymukhamedov an amount equal to three months' salary for the fact that about half of the wage arrears in Turkmenistan were in the education and health sectors. According to some reports, Berdymukhamedov was at one time Niyazov’s personal physician.

On the one hand, Berdymukhamedov owed his government posts to the President of Turkmenistan, who personally periodically dismissed high-ranking officials, preventing them from gaining connections and strengthening their position in power. On the other hand, some experts named Berdimuhamedov among those officials who influenced such decisions of Niyazov, thereby eliminating competitors. Thus, in November 2002, Berdimuhamedov and the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the oil and gas industry, Elly Gurbanmuradov, allegedly managed to dismiss Rejep Saparov, who had been appointed manager of the office of the President of Turkmenistan, from his post as Deputy Prime Minister. Experts then spoke about an inevitable clash of interests between Berdimuhamedov and Gurbanmuradov and placed their bets on the latter. On May 20, 2005, Gurbanmuradov was arrested on charges of corruption and collaboration with foreign intelligence services with the aim of political destabilization in the country. On July 2, 2005, Saparov, elected in August 2003 as deputy chairman of the People's Council (Khalk Maslakhaty), was arrested for bribery, illegal acquisition and storage of weapons, abuse and abuse of power. At the end of July 2005, Saparov and Gurbanmuradov were sentenced to 20 and 25 years in prison, respectively. Soon, unofficial reports appeared that the latter had committed suicide.

According to some reports, in September 2004, Berdymukhamedov took part in a closed meeting of the President of Turkmenistan, held in a narrow circle. Niyazov was allegedly greatly frightened by the speech of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who declared on September 13, 2004 (after the Beslan events) that the heads of regions and republics would henceforth be appointed by the president of the country. According to experts, it seemed to Niyazov that the issue of the leader of Turkmenistan would soon be decided again in Moscow. To discuss the feasibility of holding an all-Turkmen referendum on the issue of “reunification with Russia,” he called an emergency meeting, in which, to the surprise of experts, the heads of the presidential administration Saparov, his deputy Alexander Zhadan and Berdymukhamedov took part. It is reliably known that from September 13 to 15, 2004, German heart surgeon Hans Meissner conducted another examination of Niyazov.

On November 28, 2006, Berdymukhamedov took part in a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS instead of Niyazov. A year earlier, Niyazov appealed to the leaders of the CIS with a request to consider Turkmenistan not a permanent, but an associated member of this organization. In the fall of 2006, Berdymukhamedov, who is allegedly Niyazov’s illegitimate son, was called a possible successor to the president. True, according to experts, the same rumors circulated about the former head of the National Security Committee, Muhammad Nazarov, who was sentenced to 25 years in April 2004.

On the night of December 20-21, 2006, Niyazov died of sudden cardiac arrest. On December 21, 2006, Berdimuhamedov became the acting president of Turkmenistan. In accordance with the constitution of Turkmenistan, the powers of the country's president were to be transferred to the chairman of the parliament (Majlis), and he had no right to participate in new elections, which were to be held no later than two months later. However, the chairman of the parliament, Ovezgeldy Atayev, was taken into custody, and the Security Council of Turkmenistan appointed Berdimuhamedov, who was also appointed head of the commission for organizing Niyazov’s funeral, as acting president. According to some experts, a coup has actually occurred in the country. On December 23, 2006, Berdymukhamedov relieved himself of the post of Minister of Health and Medical Industry, appointing Byashim Sopyev as acting minister. On December 24, 2006, Niyazov was buried, and an emergency congress of the People's Council was scheduled for December 26, 2006 to determine his likely successors.

On December 26, 2006, Berdymukhamedov was elected chairman of the congress of the People's Council, which on that day changed the constitution of Turkmenistan, adopted the law on presidential elections, set the date for presidential elections and approved six candidates. The congress delegates, at the proposal of the second secretary of the ruling Democratic Party Ondzhik Musayev, who allegedly remembered Niyazov’s posthumous will, amended the country’s basic law, allowing the deputy prime minister to serve as the president of the republic. The head of the Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan announced that the elections would take place on February 11, 2007. Then representatives of all five velayats (regions) and the capital of Turkmenistan, which has the status of a region, nominated ten candidates. The last - eleventh - was Berdymukhamedov, whose candidacy was proposed by Musaev. Each of the nominated candidates had to be approved as a presidential candidate by two-thirds of the votes of the members of the People's Council: only five out of ten passed this selection, while Berdymukhamedov was voted unanimously.

Best of the day

On February 11, 2007, Berdimuhamedov was elected president of Turkmenistan. More than 2 million 677 thousand residents of the country (98.65 percent of voters) took part in the elections, of which 89.23 percent cast their votes for Berdimuhamedov. Already on election day, the date for the inauguration of the new president was announced, despite the theoretical possibility of a second round of elections. On February 14, 2007, at a meeting of the People's Council, the final voting results were announced, Berdimuhamedov took the oath of office on the constitution of Turkmenistan and received the presidential certificate from the hands of the chairman of the Central Election Commission. In accordance with the constitution of Turkmenistan, the president of the country is the head of the government - the cabinet of ministers.

On May 4, 2007, the Mejlis of Turkmenistan awarded President Berdimuhamedov, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic, the rank of army general. Before him, this military rank in Turkmenistan was held only by Niyazov and two defense ministers - former Danatar Kopekov and current Agageldy Mammetgeldyev.

In the summer of 2007, President Berdimuhamedov received the degree of Doctor of Medical Sciences and the title of professor in the specialty “Social Hygiene and Healthcare Organization.” This decision was made by the expert commission on medical sciences of the Supreme Council for Science and Technology of Turkmenistan based on Berdimuhamedov’s many years of scientific and practical activity. In August 2007, Berdymukhamedov was elected chairman of the National Movement "Galkynysh" ("Renaissance") and the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan.

In September 2007, during a visit to the United States, timed to coincide with a meeting of the UN General Assembly, Berdimuhamedov announced the impending reform of the economy and democratization of the country. Shortly thereafter, Berdymukhamedov began revamping his administration. Already in October, he made a number of reshuffles in the law enforcement agencies, replacing the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Minister of National Security. In March 2008, Berdymukhamedov also replaced the prosecutor general and the leadership of the Supreme Court, and in April - the leadership of the Central Bank.

At the same time, in the second half of 2007, Turkmenistan, on the initiative of Berdimuhamedov, began to abandon a number of restrictions introduced during the reign of Niyazov. In December 2007, the ban on foreign periodicals was lifted; in January 2008, on opera and circus. On July 1, 2008, Turkmenistan returned to the Gregorian calendar, abolished by Niyazov back in 2002.

Berdymukhamedov's economic policy at this time was characterized by a desire to get closer to the West. Thus, according to some reports, one of the topics of negotiations between Berdimuhamedov in the United States and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was supposed to be the opening of the gas sector of Turkmenistan to American investors. In October 2007, Turkmenistan, together with Georgia, refused to sign the CIS Development Concept, which envisaged, in particular, the formation of an “integrated economic and political union of interested states.” In November, it was reported that Berdymukhamedov supported the idea of building a Trans-Caspian gas pipeline, which would allow Europe to receive Turkmen gas bypassing Russia. Along with this, in December of the same year, a final agreement was reached between Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Russia to begin construction of the Caspian gas pipeline, which should increase the volume of Turkmen gas supplies to Russia.

On April 18, 2008, Berdymukhamedov announced the creation of a special commission whose task was to create a new version of the Turkmen constitution. Its project, published in July 2008, implied, in particular, the abolition of the highest body of state power - the People's Council, whose powers were divided between the president and parliament. On September 26, 2008, at the last meeting of the People's Council, a new version of the constitution was adopted, according to some experts, it significantly increased the powers of the president.

In October 2008, the Izvestia newspaper talked about the published book “Teacher, warrior, citizen. The life-feat of Berdymukhamed Annayev,” dedicated to the story of the life of Berdymukhamedov’s paternal grandfather. The pedigree of the head of state and the history of his ancestral village of Yzgant were also given there. “It seems that the republic is smoothly entering the new era of Turkmenbashi-2,” the article noted. That same month, the World Karate Federation awarded President Berdymukhamedov with a 6th dan black belt "for his outstanding contribution to the development of the national sport." As Turkmen television reported, the President of Turkmenistan received a black belt in karate in connection with the 17th anniversary of the country's independence.

Before becoming president of Turkmenistan, almost nothing was known about Berdimuhamedov, but now his biography has been supplemented with many facts.

In the presidential elections held on February 12, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov won 97.69% of the votes, the country's Central Election Commission reported the day before. And 97.27% of voters took part in the elections.

Berdimuhamedov was first elected head of state ten years ago - on February 11, 2007, a month and a half after the death of the former permanent leader, Saparmurat Niyazov (Turkmenbashi).

Over the past ten years, the biography of the president has been replenished with many new facts. Here are nine of the most interesting ones.

1. There is a family - the spouse is not visible

59-year-old Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has never appeared in public with his wife. Almost nothing is known about her. At the elections on Sunday, he appeared at the polling station with his closest relatives, but his wife was again absent.

The government website turkmenistan.gov.tm reports that the president was accompanied by his father Myalikguly Berdimuhamedov, mother Ogulabat Berdimuhamedova, son, two daughters and grandchildren. No photo of the president's family was published.

2. Became a successor in a short time

Berdymukhamedov began governing the country as deputy prime minister on December 21, 2006, the morning after the death of the country's first president, Saparmurat Niyazov.

Although, according to the Constitution, the chairman of the parliament, Ovezgeldy Atayev, was supposed to temporarily act as president for two months - without the right to participate in presidential elections.

But he was suddenly arrested, charged with abuse of office and later sent to prison for five years.

On December 26, an emergency congress of the People's Council was held, during which presidential elections were called and amendments were made to the Constitution, allowing the deputy prime minister to serve as president and participate in elections.

In his first presidential election in 2007, Berdymukhamedov received 89.23% of the popular vote. In 2012, he improved the result to 97.14% - it would seem that there is nowhere better.

But in 2017 it turned out even more. Now, according to amendments to the Constitution of Turkmenistan introduced in September 2016, the next elections will take place in seven years.

4. Worst of the worst

In 2010, the President of Turkmenistan was included in the top five worst dictators in the world according to Foreign Policy magazine.

Human rights activists from Human Rights Watch and other international organizations regularly report on the persecution of civil activists and oppositionists, whose traces have been lost in the prisons of Turkmenistan.

Today Turkmenistan is one of the most closed and totalitarian countries in the world. In the Freedom House ranking at the end of 2016, the country was in the ten worst along with North Korea, Syria, Somalia and Sudan.

5. Took control of 80% of the country’s oil and gas revenues

“The Personal Pocket of the President (Berdimuhamedov): Oil, Gas and the Law” was the title of a report by the American research organization Crude Accountability on the situation in Turkmenistan, published in October 2011.

The document stated that Berdymukhamedov personally controlled the country's rich energy reserves.

The authors of the report came to the conclusion that over four years, the new leader of the country gradually vested exclusive powers in the State Agency for the Management and Use of Hydrocarbon Resources under the President of Turkmenistan, which concentrated all activities related to the sale of oil and gas.

The precedent for “manual control” of the most profitable sector of the country’s economy was created by Niyazov, who, according to Eurasianet.org, in 1997 personally approved all tenders and licenses in the energy sector.

What surprised researchers from Crude Accountability most was the fact that, according to Turkmen laws, only 20% of revenues from oil and gas exports went to the state budget. The other 80% was managed by the same agency, which was not even obliged to report on them.

6. Created the cult of Arkadag instead of the cult of Turkmenbashi

In July 2008, Berdymukhamedov returned the country to normal names for months and days of the week.

His predecessor tried to write himself into history by renaming the names of the months: January - to Turkmenbashi, April - to Gurbansoltan (Niyazov’s mother - Ed.), September - to Rukhnama (his philosophical work).

The new names were used only in documents and office work; with the return to the usual Gregorian calendar, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

However, they rejoiced early: the debunking of one cult turned into the creation of another - the cult of Arkadag (patron of the nation). This is how Berdymukhamedov began to be called in 2010, and since then the unofficial title has firmly been assigned to him.

7. Helped cut out a tumor, wrote a book

The second president of Turkmenistan is a dentist by profession, graduated from graduate school in Moscow, and in the 20 years after graduation he made an enviable career in this field.

By the time he was appointed Minister of Health in 1997, he was the director of the dental center of the Ministry of Health of Turkmenistan.

Later he became Deputy Prime Minister, responsible for education, science, culture and media. Already as president in 2007, he received the degree of Doctor of Medical Sciences and the title of professor.

In 2009, the leader of the nation assisted in an operation to remove a benign tumor behind the ear. This happened during the grand opening of the cancer center in Ashgabat.

And the book he wrote about medicinal plants of Turkmenistan was recommended as a manual for all healthcare workers.

8. Chief horse breeder

Among other titles of the current president is “People's Horse Breeder of Turkmenistan.” One of his books entitled “Akhal-Teke is our pride and glory” is dedicated to his passion – horses.

In April 2013, the leader of the nation, a skilled horseman, fell from his horse during a race. Later, the security forces made a lot of efforts to prevent the dissemination of information about the emergency, but this video is still available on YouTube.

It was reported that the presidential horse stumbled immediately after crossing the finish line, so despite the fall, Berdymukhamedov still won that race.

The President of Turkmenistan generally loves to win competitions. For example, one day I came to the opening of a car race, suddenly decided to take part - and finished first.

9. Writes songs and sings

During a meeting with voters in the Ahal region on January 30, the president, answering a question about what he was doing, replied that he was working on songs for women that he wanted to present to them on March 8, International Women’s Day.

Then the head of Turkmenistan was captured with a guitar, cheerfully and with feeling he sang the song to his own accompaniment, thus responding to the musical greeting of young voters.

Gurbanguly Myalikgulyevich Berdimuhamedov (Turkmen: Gurbanguly Mälikgulyýewiç Berdimuhammedow) is a Turkmen statesman, since 2007 - the second president of Turkmenistan.

Biography

Born on June 29, 1957 in the village of Babarap, Geok-Tepinsky district, Ashgabat region, Turkmen SSR.

In 1979 he graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry of the Turkmen State Medical Institute, then graduated from graduate school. Doctor of Medical Sciences, professor specializing in “Social hygiene and healthcare organization”. He began his career in 1980 as a dentist.

1990-1995 - Assistant of the Department of Therapeutic Dentistry, Associate Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry of the Turkmen State Medical Institute.

1995-1997 - Director of the Dental Center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan.

Since 1997 - Minister of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan.

Since 2001 - Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan (Niyazov himself was the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan). In November 2006, he represented Turkmenistan at the CIS summit in Minsk.

Long before the death of S. A. Niyazov, rumors were spread in the press according to which Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov was the illegitimate son of Turkmenbashi. The reliability of this information is questioned, since the age difference between them is only 17 years.

After Niyazov’s death, he headed the funeral commission and, by decision of the State Security Council, became acting president. In accordance with the Constitution of Turkmenistan, Ovezgeldy Ataev, the chairman of the Mejlis, was supposed to head it, but a criminal case was suddenly opened against him.

On December 26, at a meeting of the Halk Maslakhaty (People's Council), he received the unanimous support of 2,507 delegates of the country's highest authority as a candidate for the presidency of Turkmenistan.

He won the presidential elections on February 11, 2007 with a result of 89.23% and became the second president of Turkmenistan.

On the morning of February 14, 2007, the Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan announced the name of the winner, and immediately after this the inauguration of the new president began. Berdymukhammedov was presented with a presidential certificate and a distinctive sign in the form of a gold chain with an octagonal emblem. The new president walked along a white carpet, symbolizing a bright path. He was presented with a sachak - bread wrapped in a tablecloth, a quiver of arrows, the Koran and the Rukhnama.

On April 23, 2007, he came on an official visit to Moscow and held a meeting with Putin, during which gas contracts, cooperation in the field of medicine and education, and the foreign policy orientation of the new Turkmen authorities were discussed.

Election promises

Berdymukhammedov promises to make the Internet accessible to residents of Turkmenistan (currently only 1% of the population uses the Internet, many objectionable sites are blocked.) In his televised speech, Berdymukhammedov said:

“I believe that the international Internet network and the latest communication technologies should be available to every citizen”

This promise has already been fulfilled. On February 17, 2007, two modern Internet cafes began operating in Ashgabat. An hour of Internet use costs just under 4 euros. As the Ministry of Communications of Turkmenistan reported, in the near future there will be 15 Internet cafes in Ashgabat, and they will also appear in velayats (regional centers). Students and employees of all higher educational institutions and research institutes, as well as readers of the Central Scientific Library of Turkmenistan have free access to the Internet. ,

He also promised to reform the education system, returning schools to the provinces that had been abolished by Niyazov, and increasing the duration of education in secondary schools (from nine to ten years) and universities (from four to five years).
Berdymukhammedov intends to increase pensions, which were cut by almost 20 percent in 2006. On June 12, 2007, the Resolutions “On the activities of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan” and “On the improvement of the scientific system of Turkmenistan” were adopted, creating the Academy of Sciences, the Higher Attestation Committee and the Science and Technology Foundation of Turkmenistan.

With his first decree, Berdymukhammedov returned ten years of education to schools. Uniforms for higher education students were also abolished, and the traditional dresses used as school uniforms for girls were replaced with dark green, European-style dresses with aprons.

He also made some changes in state symbols and rituals, which are interpreted as a limitation of Niyazov’s personality cult: his name was removed first from the text of the oath, and then from the anthem of Turkmenistan and replaced with the word “president” (thus we are talking not only about the current president , that is, about Berdymukhammedov, but also about all future presidents, without exalting a specific person).

Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov refused the mass celebration of his birthday, canceled the mandatory concerts dedicated to his visits to various regions of the country, as well as the oath of allegiance to the president, which was sworn by employees, students and schoolchildren.

On June 29, 2007, on the night of the newly elected president’s birthday, the TV channels’ logo in the form of an image of a golden bust of Turkmenbashi disappeared from Turkmen television programs. Reports from Russian news services that this happened on July 6 were almost a week behind the facts.

Order “Watan” (“Watan” - “Motherland”) (2007)
Order "Galkynysh" ("Galkynysh" - "Renaissance")
Order "Prezidentiň Ýyldyzy" ("President Yyldyzy" - "Star of the President")
Order of the President of Turkmenistan “Garaşsyz Türkmenistana bolan beýik soýgusi üçin” (“Garaşsyz of Turkmenistan bolan beyik soygusi uchin” - “For great love for Independent Turkmenistan”)
Medal “Watana bolan soýgusi üçin” (“Watana bolan soygusi uchin” - “For love of the Motherland”)
Medal “Türkmenistanyň Garaşsyzlygynyň 11 yyllygyna” (“Turkmenistan Garashsyzglygynyn 11 yyllygyna” - “11 years of independence of Turkmenistan”)
Jubilee medal “10 years of Astana” (Kazakhstan, 2008)

President of Turkmenistan

President of Turkmenistan. Since 1997, he headed the Ministry of Health. In 2001, he became Deputy Prime Minister in charge of healthcare, education and science, and since 2004 - culture and media. In December 2006, he became the acting president of Turkmenistan, in February 2007 he was elected president of the country, and in February 2012 he was re-elected for a second term. Head of the government. Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan, Army General, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Academician of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan.

In 1995, Berdimuhamedov became director of the dental center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. On May 28, 1997, he was appointed Minister of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. In addition, in 1998, Berdimuhamedov became the head of the Saparmurat Niyazov International Medical Center. On April 3, 2001, Berdimuhamedov, in addition to his ministerial position, became Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Turkmenistan, responsible for healthcare, education and science, and since August 2004, he also began to oversee culture and the media.

Berdymukhamedov's activities as minister and vice president were practically not covered in the media, as was the work of other high-ranking Turkmen officials. It is known that in November 2002, he ordered to expand the experiment of renaming the days of the week and months of the year, as well as replacing the traditional greeting “Salam Aleikum” in favor of Niyazov’s “Rukhnama” and “Shamchirag”. In July 2003, Berdymukhamedov headed the state commission for admission to higher educational institutions, which became possible to enter only after two years of work in the chosen specialty, and not immediately after graduation. It was planned to enroll 3,920 students in 16 Turkmen universities from July 9 to August 9, 2003. In November 2003, Berdymukhamedov received a reprimand from Turkmen President Niyazov for the low level of qualifications of Turkmen doctors, but retained his post. In April 2004, Niyazov fined Berdymukhamedov an amount equal to three months' salary for the fact that about half of the wage arrears in Turkmenistan were in the education and health sectors. According to some reports, Berdymukhamedov was at one time Niyazov's personal physician.

On the one hand, Berdymukhamedov owed his government posts to the President of Turkmenistan, who personally periodically dismissed high-ranking officials, preventing them from gaining connections and strengthening their position in power. On the other hand, some experts named Berdimuhamedov among those officials who influenced such decisions of Niyazov, thereby eliminating competitors. Thus, in November 2002, Berdimuhamedov and the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the oil and gas industry, Elly Gurbanmuradov, allegedly managed to dismiss Rejep Saparov, who was appointed manager of the office of the President of Turkmenistan, from his post as Deputy Prime Minister. Experts then talked about an inevitable clash of interests between Berdimuhamedov and Gurbanmuradov and relied on the latter. On May 20, 2005, Gurbanmuradov was arrested on charges of corruption and cooperation with foreign intelligence services with the aim of political destabilization in the country. On July 2, 2005, Saparov, elected in August 2003 as Deputy Chairman of the People's Council (Khalk Maslakhaty), was arrested for bribery, illegal acquisition and storage of weapons, abuse and abuse of power. At the end of July 2005, Saparov and Gurbanmuradov were sentenced to 20 and 25 years in prison, respectively. Unofficial reports soon appeared that the latter had committed suicide.

According to some reports, in September 2004, Berdymukhamedov took part in a closed meeting of the President of Turkmenistan, held in a narrow circle. Niyazov was allegedly greatly frightened by the speech of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who declared on September 13, 2004 (after the Beslan events) that the heads of regions and republics would henceforth be appointed by the president of the country. According to experts, it seemed to Niyazov that the issue of the leader of Turkmenistan would soon be decided again in Moscow. To discuss the feasibility of holding an all-Turkmen referendum on the issue of “reunification with Russia,” he convened an emergency meeting, in which, to the surprise of experts, the heads of the presidential administration Saparov, his deputy Alexander Zhadan and Berdimuhamedov took part. It is reliably known that from September 13 to 15, 2004, the German heart surgeon Hans Meissner conducted another examination of Niyazov.

On November 28, 2006, Berdimuhamedov, instead of Niyazov, took part in a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS. A year earlier, Niyazov appealed to the leaders of the CIS with a request to consider Turkmenistan not a permanent, but an associated member of this organization. In the fall of 2006, Berdymukhamedov, who was allegedly Niyazov’s illegitimate son, was called a possible successor to the president. True, according to experts, the same rumors circulated about the former head of the National Security Committee, Muhammad Nazarov, who was sentenced to 25 years in April 2004.

On the night of December 20-21, 2006, Niyazov died of sudden cardiac arrest. On December 21, 2006, Berdimuhamedov became the interim President of Turkmenistan. In accordance with the Constitution of Turkmenistan, the powers of the country's president were to go to the chairman of the parliament (Majlis), and he did not have the right to participate in new elections, which were to be held no later than two months later. However, the chairman of the parliament, Ovezgeldy Atayev, was taken into custody, and the Security Council of Turkmenistan appointed Berdimuhamedov, who was also appointed head of the commission for organizing Niyazov’s funeral, as acting president. According to some experts, a coup has actually occurred in the country. On December 23, 2006, Berdymukhamedov relieved himself of his post as Minister of Health and Medical Industry, appointing Byashim Sopyev as acting minister. On December 24, 2006, Niyazov was buried, and an emergency congress of the People's Council was scheduled for December 26, 2006 to determine his likely successors.

On February 11, 2007, Berdimuhamedov was elected president of Turkmenistan. Over 2.677 million residents of the country (98.65 percent of voters) took part in the elections, of which 89.23 percent cast their votes for Berdimuhamedov. Already on election day, the date for the inauguration of the new president was announced, despite the theoretical possibility of a second round of elections. On February 14, 2007, at a meeting of the People's Council, the final voting results were announced, Berdymukhamedov took the oath of office on the Constitution of Turkmenistan and received a presidential certificate from the hands of the chairman of the Central Election Commission. In accordance with the constitution of Turkmenistan, the president of the country is the head of the government - the cabinet of ministers.

In the summer of 2007, President Berdimuhamedov received the degree of Doctor of Medical Sciences and the title of professor in the specialty “Social Hygiene and Healthcare Organization.” This decision was made by the expert commission on medical sciences of the Supreme Council for Science and Technology of Turkmenistan based on Berdymukhamedov’s many years of scientific and practical activity. In August 2007, Berdymukhamedov was elected chairman of the National Movement "Galkynysh" ("Renaissance") and the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan.

At the same time, in the second half of 2007, Turkmenistan, on the initiative of Berdimuhamedov, began to abandon a number of restrictions introduced during the reign of Niyazov. In December 2007, the ban on foreign periodicals was lifted, and in January 2008, on opera and circus. On July 1, 2008, Turkmenistan returned to the Gregorian calendar, abolished by Niyazov back in 2002.

Berdymukhamedov's economic policy at this time was characterized by a desire to get closer to the West. Thus, according to some reports, one of the topics of negotiations held by Berdimuhamedov in the United States with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was supposed to be the opening of the gas sector of Turkmenistan to American investors. In October 2007, Turkmenistan, together with Georgia, refused to sign the CIS Development Concept, which envisaged, in particular, the formation of an “integrated economic and political association of interested states.” In November, it was reported that Berdymukhamedov supported the idea of building a Trans-Caspian gas pipeline, which would allow Europe to receive Turkmen gas bypassing Russia. Along with this, in December of the same year, a final agreement was reached between Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Russia to begin construction of the Caspian gas pipeline, which should increase the volume of Turkmen gas supplies to Russia.

On April 18, 2008, Berdymukhamedov announced the creation of a special commission whose task was to create a new edition of the Turkmen constitution. Her project, published in July 2008, implied, in particular, the abolition of the highest body of state power - the People's Council, whose powers were divided between the president and parliament. On September 26, 2008, at the last meeting of the People's Council, a new version of the constitution was adopted; according to some experts, it significantly increased the powers of the president.

In January 2009, Berdymukhamedov announced the need for new reforms related to “the creation of a new basis for political, economic, social and cultural legislation.” Shortly after this, Berdimuhamedov reorganized the composition of the Turkmen government: Defense Minister Mamedgeldyev, Deputy Prime Minister Khojamyrad Geldymyradov, who oversaw the economy, as well as the Minister of Social Security, the Minister of Communications, the Minister of Energy and Industry and a number of other senior officials were dismissed. , . At the same time, Berdimuhamedov approved a new military doctrine for Turkmenistan, which preserved its neutral status and provided for a gradual transition of the army to a contract basis and modernization of weapons. Later, at the end of May 2009, Berdymukhamedov also replaced the Minister of Internal Affairs, and in July removed another Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Railway Transport and the Minister of Education, who was responsible for the economy.

In March 2009, Berdymukhamedov visited Moscow and held talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Meanwhile, among the signed documents there was no agreement on the construction of the East-West gas pipeline, which was supposed to supply the Caspian gas pipeline that was under construction. Experts explained this by the fact that Turkmenistan continues to consider options for building gas pipelines to Europe, bypassing Russia. In July 2009, after Gazprom refused to purchase previously agreed volumes of Turkmen gas, Turkmenistan announced an increase in gas supplies to Iran and the construction of a new Turkmen-Iranian gas pipeline. In addition, Berdymukhamedov announced his country's readiness to participate in the Nabucco gas pipeline project, which was supposed to bypass Russia. In December of the same year, in the presence of Berdymukhamedov, as well as the leaders of China, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Hu Jintao, Nursultan Nazarbayev and Islam Karimov, the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline was opened, which, according to experts, significantly reduced the economic dependence of the Central Asian republics on Russia. A week after this, during Medvedev's visit to Turkmenistan, it was announced that gas supplies to Russia would be resumed starting in 2010 at a price corresponding to the conditions of the European gas market.

Although Berdymukhamedov stopped practicing medicine, at the end of July 2009, during the opening of a new cancer center dedicated to the Day of Healthcare and Medical Industry Workers of Turkmenistan, the president personally performed an operation to remove a benign tumor. That same month, Berdimuhamedov was elected academician of the Turkmen Academy of Sciences. In July 2010, Berdymukhamedov was also awarded the academic degree of Doctor of Economic Sciences “based on the totality of fundamental scientific works.”

On July 7, 2011, a series of explosions occurred in the Turkmen city of Abadan. While the country's official media reported pyrotechnics intended for fireworks igniting, killing fifteen people, non-government sources claimed explosions at an ammunition depot resulting in the deaths of nearly fourteen hundred people. Berdimuhamedov himself indicated that “virtually a new city” would be built on the site of old Abadan.

In October 2011, during the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence, Berdymukhamedov was awarded the title of Hero of the country and the accompanying gold medal "Altyn Ay" ("golden month"). Noting the president's merits, speakers at the Council of Elders called him "Arkadag" ("patron") - Berdymukhamedov was regularly called this way since 2010 and, as reported in the press, this could become his official title, like Niyazov's "Turkmenbashi".

In mid-December 2011, on the eve of the next presidential election, at a joint meeting of representatives of the Democratic Party and a number of public organizations, Berdymukhamedov was nominated as a candidate for the post of head of state. In the elections held on February 12, 2012, Berdymukhamedov was formally opposed by seven candidates, but according to the official voting results, the incumbent president was re-elected for a second term: 97.14 percent of voters voted for him with a turnout of over 96 percent. On February 17, 2012, Berdymukhamedov officially assumed his second presidential term.

Berdimuhamedov is the author of two books published in 2007 - a collection of articles “Scientific foundations for the development of healthcare in Turkmenistan” and “Turkmenistan is a country of healthy and highly spiritual people.” In October 2008, a presentation of another book by the Turkmen president took place in Ashgabat, which was dedicated to horses and called “The Akhal-Teke Horse - Our Pride and Glory.” In December of the same year, the first volume of Berdymukhamedov’s selected works, entitled “Toward New Heights of Progress,” was published, and in June 2009, the second volume of the same publication was published. In July 2009, the first volume of Berdimuhamedov’s fundamental work “Medicinal Plants of Turkmenistan” was published in Turkmen, English and Russian versions; in June 2010, the second volume of this publication was published; in March 2012, the appearance of the third volume became known. In October 2011, a presentation of two more works by Berdimuhamedov took place - the book “Living Legend”, dedicated to Turkmen carpet weaving, and the novel “A Good Name is Imperishable”, published in Turkmen and Russian, which described the life of the “teacher and warrior” Berdimuhamed Annayev, the president’s grandfather.

In August 2010, Berdymukhamedov became president of the International Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding Association.

In June 2009, the Berdimuhamedov Museum opened in Ashgabat. In February 2011, the King of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, awarded Berdymukhamedov with the kingdom's highest honor, the Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, First Class.

According to some reports, Berdymukhamedov was married twice: his first wife was Turkmen, and his second was Russian. He has one son, three daughters and four grandchildren.

Used materials

The third volume of the book “Medicinal Plants of Turkmenistan” has been published. - TURKMENinform, 05.03.2012

Anna Kurbanova. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was awarded the certificate of the head of state for the second time. - ITAR-TASS, 17.02.2012

Berdimuhamedov won. - Interfax, 13.02.2012

CEC: The President of Turkmenistan was re-elected for a second term with a result of 97.14%. - NEWSru.com, 13.02.2012

Public organizations nominated Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov as a candidate for the post of President of Turkmenistan. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 16.12.2011

The President of Turkmenistan was made a hero of the country. - Sight, 25.10.2011

Berdimuhamedov was awarded the title of Hero of Turkmenistan for the first time; Niyazov had six such awards. - Gazeta.Ru, 25.10.2011

Representatives of domestic science got acquainted with the new books of the head of state. - TURKMENinform, 24.10.2011

An artistic and documentary novel has been published from the pen of the President of Turkmenistan. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 24.10.2011

Marcus Bensmann. Turkmenischer Sommer. - Die Tageszeitung, 15.07.2011

Human rights activists: a secret tragedy near Ashgabat claimed 1,382 lives, missiles hit a maternity hospital. - NEWSru.com, 14.07.2011

Human rights activists: the explosion in Abadan killed 1,382 people. - BBC News, Russian service, 14.07.2011

In Abadan, the consequences of explosions at a military arsenal are being eliminated. - IA Rosbalt, 09.07.2011

Extraordinary joint meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and the Security Council of Turkmenistan. - State News Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH), 07.07.2011

The King of Bahrain presented the President of Turkmenistan Berdimuhamedov with the highest order of his country. - ITAR-TASS, 09.02.2011

Zhasulan Kukzhekov. The second president of Turkmenistan was given the title "Arkadag". - Radio Azattyk, 31.01.2011

The International Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding Association was established. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 16.08.2010

The President of Turkmenistan was awarded the academic degree of Doctor of Economic Sciences. - Gundogar, 10.07.2010

Turkmenistan will resume gas supplies to the Russian Federation in January. - RIA News, 22.12.2009

Alexander Gabuev, Natalya Grib. Item of multi-gas consumption. - Kommersant, 15.12.2009. - №234 (4289)

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was elected academician of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 25.07.2009

The President of Turkmenistan operated on the patient. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 22.07.2009

Mikhail Sergeev. Turkmenistan has found a replacement for Russia. - Independent newspaper, 14.07.2009

The President of Turkmenistan carried out high-profile resignations. - Moscow's comsomolets, 11.07.2009

The Minister of Education of Turkmenistan was dismissed for corruption in universities. - IA Trend, 04.07.2009

The Berdymukhammedov Museum opened in Ashgabat. - Gundogar, 30.06.2009

Anna Kurbanova. The second volume of selected works by President Berdimuhamedov has been published in Turkmenistan. - ITAR-TASS, 26.06.2009

Anna Kurbanova. On Police Day in Turkmenistan, the Minister of Internal Affairs was fired. - ITAR-TASS, 29.05.2009

The presidents of the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan tightened their pipes. - Kommersant, 26.03.2009. - №53 (4108)

Maria Tsvetkova, Denis Malkov. The pipe is on fire. - Vedomosti, 26.03.2009. - №53 (2323)

Vladimir Soloviev. Change of homeland. - Kommersant, 23.01.2009. - №11(4066)

Victoria Panfilova. Turkmenistan is arming itself. - Independent newspaper, 23.01.2009

A new military doctrine of an independent, permanently neutral Turkmenistan was approved. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 21.01.2009

The President of Turkmenistan approved a new military doctrine and replaced the Minister of Defense. - ITAR-TASS, 21.01.2009

The President of Turkmenistan replaced the Minister of Defense and the head of the border service. - Reuters, 21.01.2009

The President of Turkmenistan made a number of personnel appointments in government agencies. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 16.01.2009

The President of Turkmenistan fired a number of leaders. - IA Trend, 16.01.2009

Tuvakmammed Japarov was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Government of Turkmenistan. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 16.01.2009

The President of Turkmenistan replaced the head of the Ministry of Communications. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 16.01.2009

The Minister of Energy and Industry of Turkmenistan has been dismissed. - Turkmenistan.Ru, 16.01.2009

I once asked one Turkmen how the personality cult of Turkmenbashi (the title of Saparmurat Niyazov, translated as “Head of the Turkmens”) differs from the personality cult of Arkadag (the title of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, translated as “Patron”).

You know, we used to have portraits of Turkmenbashi hanging everywhere. They hanged him once and forgot about it. And then, in his old age, he decided to dye his hair black, and they announced to the people that the leader had begun to look younger. Then all the portraits across the country were changed. And when Arkadag came, we change the portraits every year. No, he doesn't dye his hair all the time, he just pays very close attention to his photographs. Either it should be against the background of a white carpet, or against the background of a red one. And you need to constantly run around and buy new portraits. Moreover, we buy portraits with our own money. We jokingly call this “the people’s love tax.”

In general, it’s very interesting to watch how people’s minds are blown away by limitless money and impunity. I can still imagine how Turkmenbashi seized power and began erecting golden statues of himself. The man had a difficult childhood (he grew up in an orphanage), and was a party functionary all his life. And so I decided to break away and take revenge on everyone. But Berdimuhamedov seems to come from a family of teachers, he himself is a doctor of medical sciences, a dentist, worked as a doctor all his life, then became the minister of health. It would seem that an educated person could pull the country out of medieval rituals. But several years have passed since Berdymukhamedov sat on the throne, and now, in front of a large crowd of people, a golden monument is unveiled to him, and portraits of Berdymukhamedov are seen on the streets more often than paid parking signs in the center of Moscow.

But let's start in order.

The first president of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov, ruled the country for more than 30 years. Back in 1985, he became the first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Turkmen SSR, before which he headed the Ashgabat city committee for five years.

When the USSR faltered, Niyazov became chairman of the Supreme Council of the republic, which proclaimed its independence. And already in June 1992, the former party worker was elected president of Turkmenistan. They say it was a completely democratic election with a single candidate and 99.5% of the votes fairly received.

Just a year later, the Mejlis, that is, the parliament, gave Niyazov the title of Turkmenbashi, which meant that from now on he was the head of all Turkmens in the world. Later, the word “Great” was added to the title for credibility. During the reign of Turkmenbashi, titles such as “savior of the nation” and “messenger of Allah” were optional; the commonly used titles (including in the media) were Serdar, or “leader”. In addition, Niyazov, who did not serve in the army, had the rank of marshal and was awarded the title of Hero of Turkmenistan five times. When meeting with Turkmenbashi, officials had to kiss his right hand, strewn with rings with emeralds and diamonds.

You think these are just titles, but no. The national anthem was changed to match the titles. One Turkmen told me that at school, on the blackboard where the anthem was, one line was always covered with white paint, and either “Turkmenbashi”, or “Great Turkmenbashi”, or something else was manually written there.

In the mid-90s, Niyazov seriously thought about declaring himself Shah, but they say that the elders, as well as the heads of Iran, Russia and Uzbekistan, opposed this. To console himself, Turkmenbashi in 1999 forced the People's Council of the Republic to proclaim him president for life.

To emphasize his greatness, Turkmenbashi ordered the erection of a gigantic 83-meter monument, known as the Arch of Neutrality, in the center of Ashgabat. At its top was a gilded statue of Niyazov himself, which rotated after the sun.

After the death of Turkmenbashi, the arch was dismantled and moved to the outskirts of the city. Now the statue does not rotate, since otherwise for half the day the golden figure of the leader would be turned with its back to the capital. Ugly.

In 2000, another giant statue of Turkmenbashi appeared in the Turkmen capital, this time in front of the Independence Monument.

Next to the Independence Monument there is the Avenue of Presidents, where visiting leaders plant a pine tree. This is Medvedev's pine, for example.

And here is Yanukovych's pine.

In total, 14,000 statues and busts of Turkmenbashi appeared in the country over a couple of decades. Their number began to decrease only with Berdymukhamedov coming to power. But even now there are a lot of statues.

Golden Turkmenbashi sits near the entrance to the local KGB, his profile adorns the buildings of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Press. And here is his statue in front of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan.

Another statue stands in the park of the 10th anniversary of the independence of Turkmenistan in the very center of Ashgabat.

The city of Turkmenbashi (formerly Krasnovodsk) and the peak of Great Turkmenbashi (Ayribaba peak, the highest peak of the Koytendag ridge) were named after Niyazov. All the streets of Turkmen cities bore the names and titles of either Turkmenbashi himself or his relatives. The rest were either numbered, had unrelated names (for example, Neutral Turkmenistan Street), or were named after two or three historical figures.

All offices of officials, auditoriums, production facilities and lobbies were to have portraits of the leader. Of course, the bright face of Turkmenbashi looked at his subjects from the banknotes of the national currency.

Vodka "Serdar" (leader) and eau de toilette "Turkmenbashi", produced in France, were sold in the country. It seems that the aroma was chosen by Niyazov himself.

Personalized cognac

Niyazov decided to place his Akhal-Teke horse named Yanardag in the center of the coat of arms of Turkmenistan. After the death of Turkmenbashi, his heir ordered the horse to be replaced with his own.

Deciding that all this was not enough, Turkmenbashi wrote a great work, which he called “Rukhnama”. Niyazov himself called it “the main book of the Turkmen people” and a “guide book.”

"Rukhnama" was first published in 2001, but in five years it was translated into more than 40 languages of the world, and its total circulation exceeded 1 million copies. To study the book, a separate subject was introduced in schools and universities across the country; knowledge of the Rukhnama was tested in entrance exams, as well as when hiring.

In 2002, the month of September in Turkmenistan was renamed Ruhnama, and in 2005, construction began on the university named after. Ruhnama. But a year later Niyazov died, and this plan could not be implemented. But in Ashgabat they managed to erect a monument to the Rukhnama.

Few people believe that Turkmenbashi himself wrote the “holy book”: it is believed that this is the work of literary blacks. However, it is no longer possible to prove this. Turkmenbashi's heir, Berdimuhamedov, partially debunked the cult of the Rukhnama, but instead pleased his subjects with works of his own composition.

By the way, not only September received the current name. Niyazov renamed the whole year, not forgetting either himself (January began to be called “Turkmenbashi”), or his mother: in Turkmenistan the month is now Gurbansoltan-edje, and not April at all.

The Turkmen even had a joke: “Arriving in Turkmenbashi (city) to Turkmenbashi (month) along Turkmenbashi (street) to Turkmenbashi (hotel).”

The cult of Niyazov’s mother is part of the cult of Turkmenbashi himself. First of all, with the light hand of the president, his parents became Heroes of Turkmenistan. The national Turkmen bread Chorek was named after Gurbansoltan-eje. In addition, instead of the goddess Themis, it was Turkmenbashi’s mother who began to personify Justice.

In Ashgabat, of course, there were monuments to Gurbansoltan-eje and the leader’s father Atamurat Niyazov, but in 2014 they were dismantled.

In 2004, in the town of Kipchak, where Niyazov was born, the Turkmenbashi Rukhy Mosque was built, at that time the largest single-domed mosque in the world. On the walls of the mosque there was a place for quotes from the Ruhnama.

A mausoleum was prudently built next to the mosque, in the corners of which Niyazov’s father, mother and two brothers were buried, and Turkmenbashi himself was buried in the central sarcophagus in 2006.

After Niyazov's death, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov (who, according to widespread rumors, is his illegitimate son) became the president of Turkmenistan. Since the beginning of his reign, Berdymukhamedov has been trying to replace Niyazov’s personality cult with a personality cult of himself.

But golden statues of Turkmenbashi still stand outside most government buildings. Berdymukhamedov has not yet decided to remove them.

Two years after the start of Berdymukhamedov’s presidency, one of the officials reported that from all over the country there were “numerous wishes from citizens, enterprise teams, institutions and public organizations with a proposal to award the president the title of Hero of Turkmenistan.”

The local media wrote that “these words... were greeted by those present at the government meeting with standing, stormy, incessant applause.”

Berdimuhamedov became embarrassed and said that he was too young for the highest rank in the country:

I’m still young, I’m ready to work a little more so that you can then give me such a high rating.

The Council of Elders of Turkmenistan obediently delayed and awarded him the title of Hero of Turkmenistan only two years later. Berdimuhamedov has four more Hero titles left to catch up with Turkmenbashi in terms of the number of top awards.

To ensure that the new president does not lag behind Turkmenbashi in other respects, his loyal subjects came up with the title “Arkadag”, which translated means “Patron”. It was awarded to Berdymukhamedov at a military parade in 2010.

Journalists from the Turkmen editorial office of Radio Liberty, in the words of an unnamed blogger, tell how this happened:

A large detachment of Turkmen military, marching past Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, stopped and turned to face him, and they all selflessly knelt before him. Perhaps this was supposed to symbolize the nation kneeling before its Patron (Arkadag). It is interesting that at the parade, after the passage of the military, the servile horsemen brought an Akhal-Teke horse to the podium with the “Patron of the Turkmens” and several times tried to force him to kneel in front of him, but they did not succeed. Either the horse turned out to be a thoroughbred, or they didn’t explain to him who was in front of him.

But the government website “Turkmexpo” stated that “stopping in front of the central stand, the handsome horse bowed before the leader of the nation in a graceful bow.”

There are still few monuments to Berdymukhamedov; the campaign for their mass installation is just beginning.

But Arkadag uses the latest achievements of progress and loves to place his portraits on multimedia screens along the streets. Usually he is depicted either against the background of a light carpet or against the background of a waving flag.

But sometimes he just walks the green carpet towards a brighter future. Here, for the sake of credibility, the main attractions of Ashgabat were placed behind Berdymukhamedov’s back.

In the main newspaper of the country “Neutral Turkmenistan”, writer Gozel Shagulyeva published “A Song of Joy in honor of awarding the esteemed President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov the high title “Person of the Year - 2010”” (this title was awarded to him by the Institute of International Relations and Economic Cooperation of Romania, and many are at a loss , why did he do it). This is what it said:

First of all, I want to say the main thing: I am happy because I am an eyewitness to the great deeds of the great era of the Great Son. I am happy because I consider it my duty to glorify the days of the Renaissance of my country, filled with great deeds, the glory of which spread throughout the world.
The internationally recognized Arkadag, our stronghold, support, hope, reviving with its responsive heart the ancient Silk Road of the Turkmen people, today has turned its Fatherland into a peacekeeping center.<...>
When I see how the grandiose plans of our esteemed President are being implemented, when I listen to his historical speeches, I cannot hold back tears of happiness and pride from excitement. And bright tears roll down my cheeks - like droplets of my inspiration. When great words merge with great deeds, a real miracle occurs that can amaze our consciousness.

Arkadag welcomes you, traveler.

Sometimes you can see the continuity of generations: the golden statue of Turkmenbashi obscures the portrait of Berdymukhamedov.

In 2013, Berdymukhamedov attended the races on the occasion of the Akhal-Teke horse holiday. He wanted to take part in the race himself, and the panel of judges included him in the “Mentor Race”. He rode on his own horse named Berkarar and, unexpectedly for everyone, took first place. The only thing that darkened the crowd's jubilation was the unexpected fall of Berkarar and his rider immediately after the finish.

For a few seconds, the people were numb, but then security guards, security officers and ministers rushed to Berdymukhamedov, who was lying motionless. He was taken away in an ambulance, and spectators waited tensely for about an hour for news. At the end of the event, the president, alive and almost unharmed, nevertheless appeared in public and even talked with the offending horse:

At the end, Berkarar was taken out onto the treadmill. The leader of Turkmenistan, known for his love of horses, tried to kiss the horse, but it recoiled. The President did not retreat, pulling his horse towards him again. The horse was forgiven. The crowd cheered.

As the event ended, exit security began sifting through the crowd. Those who had cameras were taken to a room under the stands and were urged to erase all videos and photographs. To ensure that no one could hide the memory cards, student volunteers monitored the crowd. In addition, foreign citizens and journalists were present at the event: their laptops, tablets and phones were confiscated at the airport. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan reported that several dozen people were then arrested for attempting to take “prohibited materials” abroad.

Be that as it may, winning the race brought the president $11.05 million. He promised to transfer them to the state association “Turkmen Horses”. By the way, the horses that took second and third place also belonged to Berdymukhamedov.

The President participates not only in horse racing, but also in auto racing. He also invariably wins them and even sets records. Usually such events are described like this:

To the thunderous applause of the spectators in the stands, the leader of the nation enters the track. The cars take off and immediately pick up high speed, quickly covering the distance.... But number seven [under which Berdymukhamedov usually races, because 7 is his favorite number] no longer leaves a chance for the opponent.<...>As is known, having been fond of driving cars since childhood, the leader of the nation has established himself as a high-class racing driver. Having demonstrated a high level of control of a sports car, the pilot won a landslide victory... number seven - President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov!

In general, Berdymukhamedov does not miss an opportunity to demonstrate to his subjects that he is in excellent athletic shape.

Berdymukhamedov also loves everything gold. Including gardening equipment. Here is a golden watering can.

And this is a golden car. It is clear that he is a difficult person.

Berdymukhamedov also writes books. He called one of them “A good name is imperishable” and dedicated it to his grandfather Berdimuhamed Annaev, who was a teacher. There are other works entitled “Turkmenistan - a country of healthy and highly spiritual people”, “Ahal-Teke horse is our pride and glory”, “Flight of heavenly horses” and “Medicinal plants of Turkmenistan”. On the initiative of the president, in 2009, copies of the Rukhnama written by Turkmenbashi were confiscated from Turkmen schools. In exchange, Berdymukhamedov's books are brought there.

In 2016, two new books were published at once: “The Source of Wisdom” (a collection of Turkmen proverbs and sayings) and “Tea – Medicine and Inspiration.” Usually Berdymukhamedov presents his new items to their deputy prime ministers and heads of ministries, and they respond by bowing to him from the waist and placing the gift to his forehead.

Berdimuhamedov loves to portray himself against the background of the people, against the background of children and/or elders. There are a lot of portraits where he goes somewhere, young and cheerful, and leads people.

A classic photograph of the leader against the backdrop of a light carpet. This is exactly the standard portrait that almost everyone in Turkmenistan has.

When possible, the portrait is hung directly on the carpet. The frame, of course, must be gold.

This is the ticket office of an entertainment complex with a Ferris wheel. Here Arkadag meets everyone again against the backdrop of children.

Absolutely everyone hangs portraits. They hang at airports, train stations, many administrative buildings and, of course, in the offices of government and other companies. This is, for example, the MTS office. Arkadag is adjacent to the flag and coat of arms of Turkmenistan.

At the hotel.

This is what the stand looked like at one of the exhibitions of our KamAZ. All companies must equip their stand with a portrait of Berdymukhamedov against the background of a carpet, otherwise, they say, things will not go well in the country.

Every year, government agencies and enterprises must update portraits of the president. The country has a special commission that orders, evaluates and approves new portraits. They are different for different institutions: for hospital portraits, Berdymukhamedov is photographed in a white coat, for military departments and intelligence services - in a brown uniform and with a serious face, and for the facades of buildings, the president is photographed in a suit and with his hand raised in greeting. Organizations must purchase portraits at their own expense. For example, last year school teachers bought presidential portraits for their classes for 33 manats (about 650 rubles).

In general, the universal worship of Turkmenbashi is gradually becoming a thing of the past, but the personality cult of his successor continues to grow stronger. Recently Berdymukhamedov decided to erect a monument to himself.

Here he is! The Arkadag monument is a lifetime equestrian monument to Berdymukhamedov. Reminds me of Peter I of St. Petersburg, only bigger)

They opened it like this.

The authorities presented fundraising for the monument as voluntary. But according to journalists from “Chronicles of Turkmenistan”, in fact, the money needed for its construction was simply withheld from the salaries of people in the civil service. According to the plan, the monument was supposed to outshine the famous Arch of Neutrality with the golden figure of Turkmenbashi on top, which had been moved to the outskirts of the city several years earlier.

The period of Berdymukhamedov's first presidential term was called the Great Renaissance. The period of the second term was declared the Age of Power and Happiness.

Good luck to you, dear friends. Continue tomorrow.