OREANDA-NEWS. December 9, 2009. Galkynys is the Turkmen-Austrian magazine, the first issue of which appeared in print the eve of the national holiday of Turkmenistan – Neutrality Day. The new magazine vividly evidences an increasing worldwide interest in Turkmenistan that has entered the new historical stage – the epoch of New Revival. The magazine with the symbolic name Galkynys that means revival is to be a symbol of friendship between the peoples of Turkmenistan and Austria, who have much in common in both political and cultural configurations.

The main goal of the new periodical – the first one in the history of Turkmen-Austrian relations – is to expand the cultural dialogue between two friendly countries. According to the authors, the magazine will provide the people in Austria as well as also many European Union member countries with an opportunity to learn about modern Turkmenistan, which is rapidly moving forward along the path of the social and economic progress.

The issue begins with the welcoming statements of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Heinz Fischer, President of the Republic of Austria, who noted that the magazine was aimed at further strengthening political, economic and cultural cooperation between Turkmenistan as the centre of the 5,000-year-old civilization of Asia and Austria as the centre of modern European culture.

The materials about the intergovernmental Turkmen-Austrian relations and various aspects of the political and economic development of the Turkmen state are published on the pages of the magazine. It presents the articles about cultural cooperation between our countries and the national art of the Turkmen people.

The comments on the results of the first official visit of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Austria last November have a special place in the issue. It is noted that the agreements reached during the top-level talks laid the firm foundation for further development of Turkmen-Austrian cooperation.

The article about Turkmenistan’s fuel and energy potential and the materials about the ongoing large-scale projects in the country, in particular the establishment of Avaza national tourism zone on the east coast of the Caspian Sea will be of great interest to the readers.

The issue presents the comments on the second meeting of the Turkmen-Austrian intergovernmental commission, which resulted in signing the protocol that highlighted the mutual willingness to offer new incentives to develop traditional mutually advantageous cooperation.

The issue includes the materials that present the full picture of Turkmenistan and Austria.

A number of the articles in the section Culture tell about the Galkynys Turkmen-Austrian Symphony Orchestra that is the only one in Europe yet. The orchestra recently established under the patronage of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave the first concert this May. The Turkmen leader attended the concert.

The materials about the presentations, which took place in Turkmenistan in Austria, and the interviews with the businessmen, famous Turkmen and Austrian musicians are presented to the readers.

The article Keteni as a Part of the National Art of the Turkmen People will be of particular interest to the readers in Europe.

There is no doubt that the colourfully illustrated magazine with the news of economy, politics and culture will be the bridge of friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of Turkmenistan and Austria.