OREANDA-NEWS. May 18, 2009. The Turkmen delegation consisting of the representatives of the Humanitarian Association of the World Turkmen, cultural workers, journalists left for the northern capital of the Russian Federation to participate in the Turkmenistan in the Epoch of Revival conference organized by the Mekan Society of Turkmen Culture in St. Petersburg.

Ashgabat and the city on the Neva River are bound with the ties of friendship and long-term fruitful cooperation that is filled with a new content nowadays. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov who visited St. Petersburg during the state visit to the Russian Federation this March offered a powerful incentive to develop this collaboration. The meetings with Governor of St. Petersburg Valentina Matvienko and the top managers of the leading companies initiated the active interregional dialogue.

Modern St. Petersbrug is a dynamically developing megalopolis with the large state and business institutions, offices of the large Russian banks and world-renowned companies, research centres and higher schools. Many of them maintain close ties with Turkmenistan. Undoubtedly, the scientific, industrial, cultural potential of the northern capital of Russia is of great demand in Turkmenistan that has taken the road of fundamental reforms and actively applies the best international practice. Establishment of the direct air service between Ashgabat and St. Petersburg and the recent visit of the delegation led by Vice Governor R. Filimonov consisting of the heads of the state-run enterprises and large business companies testify to mutual interest.

The humanitarian aspect of the active regional dialogue based on uninterrupted spiritual ties binding Ashgabat and St. Petersburg from a long time is of particular importance. They are in the common history, the present and future of our peoples that was vividly illustrated by the large-scale cultural actions timed to the Turkmen leader’s state visit to the Russian Federation.

It should be noted that a large Turkmen diaspora lives in St. Petersburg. The branch of the Humanitarian Association of the World Turkmen and the Mekan Society of Turkmen Culture actively work there. These organisations uniting our compatriots residing abroad and Turkmen young people who study at the higher schools in St. Petersburg and all those interested in the rich history and culture of Turkmenistan contributed to opening Magtymguly Fraghi Sunday school conduct numerous cultural actions aiming to popularize Turkmen culture and consolidate compatriots. A vivid illustration of the forum dedicated to modern Turkmenistan and timed to the national holiday – Constitution, Revival, Unity and Magtymguly’s Poetry Day.

During the visit to Russia’s northern capital the Turkmen delegation will have the meetings with the Turkmen diasporas of St. Petersburg and the northwestern region of Russia, perform a concert for the people and guests of the city and made presentation of the collection of Magtymguly Fraghi’s poetry translated in Russian

The programme includes the visits to the landmarks and large museums in St. Petersburg.