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In honor of the 300th anniversary of the Turkmen thinker Magtymguly Pragy, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Kingdom of Belgium hosted a ceremonial presentation of a music video filmed with the support of the embassy in famous locations in Brussels and at the diplomatic mission itself. The video was created for a song about Turkmenistan in the rap genre, performed by a young Belgian artist named Tony.
The event brought together representatives of European media, EU institutions, think tanks, ambassadors of friendly countries and other guests. In his speech, Ambassador Sapar Palvanov emphasized the importance of Magtymguly Pragy for Turkmen culture, his influence on the national identity and spiritual values of the people, as well as global recognition of his work. He quoted a verse from Magtymguly’s poem “Better” and announced that Tony, inspired by the culture of Turkmenistan, plans to create a song based on the poems of the great poet with the assistance of the Embassy of Turkmenistan.
An independent researcher on the ecology and history of Central Asia, Daria Soysal, also spoke at the event, who emphasized the authority of Magtymguly Pragy not only for the Turkmen people, but also for the world. She noted that Magtymguly’s works are dedicated to the moral education of a person, friendliness, peace and self-development. Daria Soysal read the following lines from his work in Turkmen: “Magtymguly, owalözüň düzetgil, Özüňi sen özgelere göz etgil,” which call for self-development and serving as an example for others.
The participants of the event were presented with a music video for the song “Turkmenistan Dreams”. Next, the guests were offered dishes of Turkmen national cuisine. During the tasting, Tony performed a song with a Turkmen flavor, wearing a telpek and holding a dutar.
The song, the lyrics of which were written by embassy diplomat Maral Rahimova, is an ode to Turkmenistan, highlighting its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and the spirit of the people. It describes a journey through Turkmenistan, its historical significance on the Silk Road, and the wisdom of Magtymguly Pragy, which serves as a guide. Turkmenistan is celebrated as a country with friendly people, ancient roots, great heritage, UNESCO-listed historical cities and majestic carpets that are an integral part of the culture. The sand dunes of the Garakum Desert and the breeze of the Caspian Sea are mentioned, creating a peaceful atmosphere. The song glorifies the beauty and uniqueness of Turkmenistan.