Turkmenistan is famous for its traditional and state holidays, which reflect the rich cultural heritage of the country.
Here are the main festivals and holidays in Turkmenistan:
Public holidays:
Independence Day (October 27) is the main national holiday, marked with parades, concerts and fireworks.
Flag Day (February 19) – dedicated to the national flag of Turkmenistan, with official ceremonies and cultural events.
Nawruz (March 21) – an ancient festival of spring and New Year for the Turkic peoples, accompanied by folk festivities, traditional dishes and horse competitions.
Constitution Day (18 May) – a formal event with speeches and cultural program.
Neutrality Day (December 12) – marks the status of Turkmenistan as a neutral state, established by the UN in 1995.
Traditional and cultural festivals:
Turkmen Horse Festival (last Sunday of April) – is held in honor of the famous Akhaltec horses with horse races, exhibitions and show programs.
Turkmen carpet day (last Sunday in May) – a festival dedicated to carpet quality, with fairs, exhibitions and competitions of masters.
The Avezá International Festival of Culture and Art (summer) is a cultural festival with artists from different countries.
Watermelon festival (in August) – a holiday celebrating Turkmen watermelons, with contests for the largest and tastiest fruit.
Harvest day (in November) – is celebrated in honor of the harvested crop with folk walks, concerts and tasting of food.
Some holidays are held with the participation of the president and large-scale official events.
Turkmenistan is particularly proud of its national traditions, such as horse breeding, carpet weaving and holidays related to nature.
