Every year on the second Sunday of August, all of Turkmenistan, and especially melons farmers and market traders, celebrate the national holiday — Turkmen Melon Day (Turkm). Gawun baýramy). It was established in 1994 by the country's first president, Saparmurat Niyazov.
Melon crops have been grown on the territory of Turkmenistan for several millennia, including sweet, juicy, aromatic melons. This is confirmed by archaeological finds: several melon seeds were discovered at excavations at the ancient settlement of Gyaur-Kala.
Turkmen melons remain to this day the favorite delicacy of residents of many countries, especially the former Soviet republics. And in Turkmenistan itself they are considered part of the great heritage, national wealth, a symbol of the talent and hard work of local farmers who worthily continue the traditions of their ancestors.
Currently, over 1.6 thousand varieties of melons have been described, which are grown in different countries of the world. More than 400 of them — are varieties of Turkmen melon created by local breeders. More than 200 samples of locally selected melons are cultivated on the country's melons plantations. Most of them were restored during the years of independence through the joint efforts of scientists and folk breeders. «The melon is called melon in Turkmenistan » to the Queen of melons— — poets dedicate poems, writers — stories and essays, artists depict her in still lifes and landscapes.
On Turkmen Melon Day, mass celebrations are organized in the capital Ashgabat. Here you can visit an exhibition of melons, try different varieties of melons and watermelons, as well as national dishes prepared from them.
In addition, concerts and fairs are held in different cities of the country. And on this day, the President of Turkmenistan awards the best melons growers and collectors in the country — winners of a competition with the promising name «Golden melon of the Golden Age».