The Cultural Center of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Turkmenistan hosted an event to celebrate the participants of the art competition, “Friendship and Kinship between Iran and Turkmenistan, in the Mirror of Common History, Culture, Art and Heritage.” Dedicated to the brotherly relations between the two nations, the gathering also marked the presentation of the Turkmen translation of the book, “Selected Dishes from the Book of the Bountiful Iranian Tablecloth.”
Ali Mojteba Ruzbehani, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenupotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Turkmenistan; Abdolreza Abbasi, the Advisor on Cultural Affairs of Iran to Turkmenistan; and Charymyrat Yazmyradov, the Head of the Union of Artists of Turkmenistan attended the event. Other notable guests included representatives from the Embassies of Pakistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, teachers and students from the State Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan, Persian language instructors, and mass media representatives. Artists and art enthusiasts traveled from Ashgabat as well as the Balkan, Lebap, and Mary provinces to attend.
The ceremony opened with speeches from Ambassador Ruzbehani, Cultural Advisor Abbasi, and Union Head Yazmyradov. They emphasized that such collaborative cultural projects and competitions significantly strengthen humanitarian ties and foster a deeper cultural dialogue between these neighboring, brotherly countries.
To ensure a fair evaluation of the more than 50 submissions, the jury judged professional and amateur artists separately. The panel consisted of Charymyrat Yazmyradov alongside prominent Union members: Honored Art Worker of Turkmenistan Kamil Veliahmedov, People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Tajigul Gurbanova, artists Ahmet Hallyev and Oguljeren Babaeva, and Iranian artist Sadat Zahra Hosseniziadeh. They selected three winners across both the professional and amateur categories, alongside two special awards for the best creative concepts. Winners received certificates and cash prizes, while all other participants were recognized with special certificates of appreciation.
The event also featured the official launch of the cookbook, “Selected Dishes from the Book of the Bountiful Iranian Tablecloth.” Translated into Turkmen by Ajap Igliyeva and Lyakhgozel Berdigylyjova, the publication introduces Turkmen readers to the rich heritage of Iranian cuisine. It features over 100 traditional recipes organized into 10 thematic sections. The presentation was accompanied by a culinary video showcasing the secrets of preparing and traditionally serving these dishes. The celebration concluded with an exhibition of the contested artwork and a culinary reception.
