On September 12, 2024, as part of the celebration of the 300th Anniversary of the great Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly Fragi, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Georgia held a presentation of a collection of his poems in Georgian in Tbilisi. Ms. Makvala Gonashvili, Chairman of the Creative Union of Writers of Georgia worked on the translation.
The presentation was attended by representatives of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Parliament, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, Ministry of Education, Science and Youth, Ministry of Culture and Sport, Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons form the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs, as well as departments of Georgia, Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations accredited in Georgia, the Turkmen delegation, representatives Georgian National Academy of Sciences, Georgian National Center of Manuscripts, the Creative Union of Writers of Georgia, rectors, professors and teachers of higher educational institutions, as well as representatives of the media.
Addressing the audience, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia L. Darsalia congratulated Turkmenistan on the upcoming 33rd Anniversary of Independence Day and noted that Turkmenistan and Georgia are united by traditionally friendly and fraternal relations based on mutual respect, equality and openness. The dynamic development of Turkmen-Georgian relations is based on regular political dialogue, strengthening economic ties, close collaboration in energy, transport and many areas of cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
Addressing the guests, Ambassador of Turkmenistan in Georgia D.Seyitmammedov emphasized that a strategically important area of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy and diplomacy, successfully implemented under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, is active and consolidated participation in solving key issues of our time, comprehensive and active assistance in building up a positive international dialogue in order to strengthen global peace and stability, develop constructive cooperation at the regional and global levels.
He also noted that the translation of Magtymguly’s poems into Georgian is another vivid example of friendship, brotherhood and close cooperation between Turkmenistan and Georgia. He expressed confidence that this collection will give the Georgian public an opportunity to get acquainted with the great works of Magtymguly and will be an invaluable gift for Georgian poetry lovers.
In turn, Chairman of the Creative Union of Writers of Georgia Makvala Gonashvili noted that it was a great honor for her to work on the translation of the poems of the great son of the Turkmen people, whose creative heritage has become an integral part of the world spiritual treasury.
Rector of the Georgian Technical University D. Gurgenidze emphasized that Magtymguly Fragi is a great Turkmen poet whose work, centuries later, is known and appreciated all over the world. He added that the publication of Magtymguly’s book in Georgian will help Georgian poetry lovers to discover the depth and uniqueness of his talent.
The speakers also noted the great role of the representatives of creative intellectuals in strengthening cultural ties between the peoples, as well as in popularizing the cultural heritage, ancient values and national art of the two countries.
The presentation was held against the background of Turkmen and Georgian folk songs performed by Turkmen and Georgian artists and ended with a cocktail reception (stand-up party) where the guests were offered treats, including Turkmen national dishes.