On 6 April 2026, the city of Gretz-Armainvilliers, France, hosted a concert featuring masters of culture and art from Turkmenistan. The event was organized by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in France in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan and was dedicated to the motto of 2026: “Independent, Permanently Neutral Turkmenistan — Homeland of Purposeful Heavenly Horses.”
The event brought together representatives of local authorities, cultural circles, the diplomatic corps, and numerous residents of the region who showed great interest in the rich cultural heritage of the Turkmen people.
In his speech, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to France, Maksat Charyev, emphasized the importance of cultural dialogue as a foundation for bringing nations closer together, noting that culture is a powerful tool for strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between countries.
The Ambassador expressed his sincere gratitude to the Mayor of the city and to Mr. Christian Bourdeille, Deputy Mayor of Gretz-Armainvilliers and President of the “France–Turkmenistan” Association, for their active participation and contribution to organizing the event, which allowed Turkmen culture to be presented to a French audience.
It was noted that 2026 has been declared the Year of the Akhal-Teke Horse in Turkmenistan—a national symbol of the country—and that the art of Akhal-Teke horse breeding is included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The concert program featured traditional musical and vocal performances by Turkmen artists, allowing guests to gain a deeper understanding of the country’s cultural traditions.
Particular interest was drawn to an exhibition organized as part of the event, showcasing books by the President of Turkmenistan and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, as well as elements of national heritage, including carpets, decorative and applied arts, and national musical instruments.
Guests also enjoyed the sounds of the dutar performed by a bakhshi — a traditional singer and guardian of oral folk art — and had the opportunity to sample authentic Turkmen national cuisine.
The concert marked a significant step in the development of cultural cooperation between Turkmenistan and France, contributing to the further strengthening of friendly ties between the peoples of the two nations. ///nCa, 6 April 2026