The six-metre statue sits in the middle of a roundabout in a new neighbourhood for civil servants
Credit: Reuters
The president of Turkmenistan, one of the most reclusive countries in the world, has unveiled a giant gilded statue of his favourite dog breed in the capital Ashgabat.
Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, a former dentist who has ruled the nation with an iron fist since taking power in 2006, presided over the televised ceremony on Tuesday evening.
At the end of the festivities filled with music and dance, Mr Berdymukhamedov, 63, was seen strolling on the brand new highway and looking up happily at the six-metre golden statue of his favourite Alabay breed, standing on a giant marble pedestal in the middle of a roundabout of a new residential area for civil servants.
Turkmenistan’s state news agency lauded the statute for capturing the “dignity and confidence” of the Alabay, a Turkmen variety of the Central Asian shepherd dog which is included in the country’s list of national heritage.
The Turkmen leader previously resorted to other creative forms to honour his favourite dog breed: He has devoted a book to the Alabay and even written a poem about it, reciting it at a government session last year.
A screen runs around the base of the statue showing more of the shepherd dog known locally as 'Wolf Crusher'
Credit: Reuters
As a sign of his utmost respect, Mr Berdymukhamedov gave an Alabay puppy to Russian President Vladimir Putin for his birthday during his visit to Moscow in 2017.
Russians were, however, appalled by Mr Berdymukhamedov’s handling of the dog as he was shown taking the puppy by its neck and holding it in the air.
Mr Berdymukhamedov came to power in 2006 after the death of the country’s first post-Soviet leader, Saparmurat Niyazov.
Hopes were high at the time that the former deputy prime minister would dismantle Mr Niyazov’s cult of personality: the country’s first president called himself the “father of the Turkmen” and famously gave new names to all 12 months of the year including renaming January after himself.
Mr Berdymukhamedov may have brought the old names of the months back and lifted Mr Niyazov’s ban on opera and ballet but he has adopted many of his predecessor’s flaws in the gas-rich nation situation north of Iran.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov (L) shakes hands with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin after presenting him with an Alaby puppy
Credit: Reuters
Amnesty International in its recent report described Turkmenistan as “one of the most authoritarian regimes in the world” where “human rights violations are routine and severe.”
State television praises the former dentist as the wise leader who cares for the well-being of his citizens in daily reports which offer a glimpse into the institutionalised adoration of Mr Berdymukhamedov, who was technically elected in a popular vote.
When it comes to the New Year’s festive broadcasts, it’s the Turkmen leader who DJs the main holiday party.
Mr Berdymukhamedov, who won 97 percent of the vote at the 2017 presidential election, has also been seen on horseback and showing off excellent marksmanship at a shooting range.
Turkmenistan remains one of the rare countries that claims to be coronavirus-free even after officials from the World Health Organisation made a rare visit to Ashgabat in the spring. Turkmen officials, however, have since started urging citizens to wear face masks, claiming that they are necessary against “dangerous dust” from the dried-up Aral Sea.
Recent Comments