On June 13, the Min-On Concert Association held a special bilateral cultural exchange concert at the Min-On Music Hall in honor of Turkmenistan’s Culture Day.
Culture Ministry Deputy Minister Gurbanmyrat Myradaliyev of Turkmenistan and His Excellency Atadurdy Bayramov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Japan, delivered opening remarks. They introduced their homeland’s rich cultural history, citing such iconic poets as Magtymguly, who was born 300 years ago.
To make this occasion possible, the Turkmenistan Culture Ministry invited a total of 28 artists, including eight performers of the “dutar,” a traditional two-stringed lute, and 12 members of the Music and Dance, Folklore Ensemble “Lachin.” Among the songs performed on traditional instruments were “Meylis Halan,” a homage to the iconic Turkic philosopher-poet Magtymguly, the local folk score “Durdy Bagshy.”
Other scores evoking the stunning landscape of the country—from “My Gurgen River” and “Melegush” to “Ýar ýar”—were also sung. The Turkmen artists graciously sang the Japanese folk song “Sakura, Sakura” as well.
The entire performing cast then performed the dances, “Kushdepti,” and “Glory to Arkadag, Glory to Arkadagly Serdar,” as the finale, eliciting a standing ovation from the Japanese audience.
This series of special concert events was made possible by the subscribers of the Min-On Concert Association and other contributors who support our various outreach initiatives.
