Dear readers!

I have just returned from my 2-week stay in Ashgabat. I have accumulated a lot of emotions and impressions that I want to share with you.

First of all, I was awarded the Jubilee Medal on October 10 of this year for the 300th anniversary of the great poet and thinker of the Turkmen people, Magtymguly Fragi.

This Jubilee Medal means for me a high assessment of my activities in Turkmenistan as the President of the Austrian-Turkmen Society for all 16 years of its existence.

I express my deep gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for recognizing my contribution to the development of friendly relations between Turkmenistan and Austria!

Within the framework of the celebration of the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly Fragi, the VI Vienna Ball was held in the new “smart” city of Arkadag on October 10, with guests including participants of the International Healthcare Exhibition and the International High-Level Forum “Interconnection of Times and Civilizations”, which were held in Ashgabat.

It was a special honor for me to open the VI Vienna Ball in Arkadag together with the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who took on the patronage of the Vienna Ball for the 6th time.

Thank you for the great honor bestowed upon me!

I also thank Hero-Arkadag for meeting him on October 11 and highly appreciating the creative work of the society, which, in his words, “is an example of effective cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere and contributes to the rapprochement of the two countries”.

I thank all the organizers of the VI Vienna Ball, including the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, the sponsors of the Austrian participation - Turkmen and Turkish construction companies.

I express my deep gratitude to the Mayor of Vienna - Dr. M. Ludwig for his support and welcoming speech to the Vienna Ball.

Many images of the VI Vienna Ball, which was special for me, pass before my eyes. After all, this year we celebrate the 16th anniversary of the Austrian-Turkmen Society and the 15th anniversary of the Turkmen-Austrian Orchestra “Galkynysh”.

I watch a video that shows the opening of the Vienna Ball and the “Polonaise” beautifully performed by a dance group. How beautiful are the white dresses of the girls and the black tailcoats of the young dancers.

What wonderful decorations and design! This is little Vienna!

This is a real Viennese ball!

The Viennese ball in Ashgabat, and now in Arkadag, has taken a leading place among the capitals of the world, such as Moscow, Dubai, Beijing, Dubai and many others, where Viennese balls are held.

Congratulations!

In my thoughts I am again at the concert of the Turkmen-Austrian orchestra “Galykynysh” in my beloved Mukam Palace on October 11.

After all, it was on this stage 15 years ago that the Turkmen-Austrian orchestra “Galkynysh” was created on the initiative and in the presence of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

How the orchestra's skill has grown over the years under the direction of its chief conductor, Honored Artist of Turkmenistan Rasul Klychev!

Congratulations!

Conductors Wolfgang Harrer and Rasul Klychev performed professionally, because the interaction and friendship of these two maestros has been going on for 16 years. This once again confirms the truth that music does not need translators.

Austrian opera soloists Hwapyeong Gwon and Amelie Heuss were a great success, and the audience's applause was an expression of their gratitude.

I would like to especially emphasize the enormous success of the famous German opera singer in Europe, Ukrainian by origin, dramatic baritone, Doctor of Music – Konstantin Rittel-Kobylyansky with his accompanist Ella Pasik, who immediately captivated the audience with his beautiful voice, great temperament and extraordinary charisma. For his extraordinary talent, Konstantin has been awarded a number of prestigious international prizes and awards. His performance of the Toreador's aria from the opera “Carmen”, for which Konstantin has a large number of international prizes and awards, aroused admiration among the public.

The singer's words from the stage of the auditorium: “After what I have seen here, you can be confident that in me you have found a true friend of your wonderful country! Ashgabat is a city drowning in the lights of illumination and lights, which symbolically transmits the light of your hearts!”, - caused a storm of applause in the hall.

The Austrian dance couple Dimitar Stefanin, winner of many international competitions and one of the best dancers and choreographers in Vienna, and his partner Irina Grasser performed with great success. Just like last year, they charmed the audience with their performance of Johann Strauss's world-famous waltz “The Blue Danube”, the unofficial calling card of Vienna throughout the world.

All the days we were accompanied by so many wonderful people, our true friends, who helped us in everything.

Thanks to my great friend Batyr Taganov, managing partner of the firm “Taglym Turkmen” (Baker Tilly) in Turkmenistan, a member of the board of our society, for his constant and tireless support of me personally, our partners and all our projects and undertakings over the past 5 years!

Thank you very much!

During my visit, I visited the office of the online publication Turkmenportal and met with its management. We awarded a certificate to Turkmenportal (member of the Austrian-Turkmen Society) “for timely coverage of news and materials for all 16 years of the society's existence”.

In turn, I thank Turkmenportal for the Certificate of Honor for the assessment of my “contribution to strengthening international relations, tireless efforts to develop cultural ties between peoples”.

We awarded the Certificate of Merit “for providing sponsorship support for the participation of artists from Austria and Germany in the VI Vienna Ball and the concert of the “Galkynysh” Orchestra to construction companies from Turkmenistan and Türkiye: ES “Dovlet Gurlyshyk”, IE “Odjar Asia”, GAP INSAAT VE A.S. Turkmenistan Branch.

Thank you very much for your sponsorship!

In addition, the “Yyldyz” hotel (member of the Austrian-Turkmen Society) was awarded a Certificate “for excellent service and exemplary service to artists and honored guests from Austria and Germany”, whose high level of service and hospitality was noted by all participants of the events.

Please scroll through these photos, maybe you, our readers, will understand my emotions and feelings towards this country, its people and all the events of my 2-week stay in Ashgabat.

I really hope that you will have a desire to come to Ashgabat to get acquainted with the customs and mentality of the Turkmen people, the culture, history and tourist opportunities of Turkmenistan, a country located on the Great Silk Road!

Love this wonderful country!

Dr. Neda Berger,

President of the Austrian-Turkmen Society