Turkmen Carpet Day (29/05)

On the last Sunday of May, the Republic celebrates the national Turkmen Carpet Festival (Turkm). Türkmen haly güni). Since 1992, it has acquired state status and in recent years has been held in the world's only Turkmen Carpet Museum in Ashgabat, where more than two thousand exhibits are exhibited, among which there are extremely rare ones.

The main goal of today's holiday — is the revival, preservation and creative development of the traditions of Turkmen carpet weaving. And on this holiday, according to tradition, many events are held to popularize the national art of carpet weaving and attract a new generation to this industry.

«In the East, a house begins where the carpet is laid out», says one of the proverbs. The truth of this saying is confirmed by the history of Turkmenistan. Even if there is a scorched desert or harsh mountains around you, the carpet — is an oasis. Immediately nearby appears a lush garden, colorful birds in the crown of trees, and reservoirs.

In the past, Turkmens were nomads, and every carpet product then had practical significance. Some carpets served to insulate housing, others replaced furniture and bed, and others were used to transport things. Special carpet bags were hung over the lattice bindings of the yurt or folded in rows. Horses and camels were decorated with carpets; they served as an indispensable attribute of wedding processions. The premises were separated by carpets, and it was impossible to come up with anything better. Lightweight, warm, compactly folded carpet is very convenient for transportation.

The transformation of a purely practical canvas into a work of art began later, when nomads began to lead a sedentary lifestyle. Gradually, people wanted that in addition to primitive philosophy, «heat and dry» would also be beautiful and elegant. It is no coincidence that today Turkmen carpets are compared to Venetian glass, Brussels lace, and Cuban cigars. This is the standard, this is perfection.

The art of weaving carpets was passed down centuries later, from mother to daughter, from granddaughter to great-granddaughter — from generation to generation. There were entire families, even villages and tribes of craftsmen, famous for their original art.

In the production of Turkmen carpets, special importance was attached to the preparation and use of paints, in particular dark red. The wool for the base of the carpet was carefully selected. To do this, they took only wool from a pure white breed of Sarydzhinsky sheep.

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