Turkmen culture was showcased at the "Central Asia Spring Festival"

The Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Korea participated in the “2026 Central Asia Spring Festival” held in Seoul on May 16-17, 2026.

The festival was held under the auspices of the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum Secretariat and the Korea Foundation, and featured cultural performances, exhibitions, and film screenings from the Central Asian countries.

The Embassy of Turkmenistan participated in the festival with its national pavilion, which drew the interest of a large number of visitors. The pavilion displayed Turkmen national handicrafts, textile products, jewelry, fine art works, and traditional musical instruments, all reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the country. Also on display were books written by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. These publications generated great interest among Korean visitors in the history, culture, and stateshood of Turkmenistan.

The opening ceremony of the festival was attended by Ambassadors of the Central Asian countries, representatives of diplomatic missions and the Government of the Republic of Korea, who also delivered speeches.

In his speech, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Korea Begench Durdyyev described the festival not just as a cultural event, but as a clear reflection of the deepening and increasingly strengthening partnership between the Central Asian states and the Republic of Korea. He expressed confidence that the planned visit of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the Republic of Korea to participate in the first-ever Central Asia-Korea Summit, scheduled for September 2026, will be of historic significance for the development of relations between the two countries.

Drawing attention to the practical outcomes of the steadily growing bilateral relations, Ambassador B.Durdyyev highlighted in particular the regular direct passenger flights operated by Turkmenistan Airlines on the Ashgabat-Seoul-Ashgabat route since July 14, 2025, as well as the direct cargo flights launched in April 2023. He noted that these connections are opening new opportunities for cooperation in tourism, business, and education. Taking the opportunity, the Ambassador invited those present to visit Turkmenistan, a country situated at the crossroads of ancient civilizations.

In addition to the above, the Turkmen film “At-Myrat” (directed by W. Ishangulyyev in 2017) was screened as part of the festival program, leaving a strong impression on the audience.

As 2026 has been proclaimed in Turkmenistan under the motto “Independent neutral Turkmenistan − the homeland of purposeful winged horses” the film reflected for Korean audiences the love and deep respect for the Akhal-Teke horse that the Turkmen people have nurtured and passed down from generation to generation across centuries.