Gurbansoltan Eje was named in honor of Niyazov's mother, and Serdar ("leader" in Turkmen) referred to Niyazov himself. Who knows what opportunities may knock with the passing of Turkmenbashi. According to a law made in 1924, it is illegal for donkeys to sleep in bathtubs. We could go on all day about this amazing country in Asia. At 27, most buildings clad in marble and the largest architectural star with a mind-blowing area of 34,875 square feet (3,240 sq. You have accepted additional cookies. The Darwaza Crater or the Hells Gate as it is famously known, is not a natural phenomenon butthe result of a natural gas drilling expedition going horribly wrong. Via Emil Delavele 18 A President for Life, Saparmurat Niyazov implemented many laws throughout his reign, here are just a few: In February 2004 men were banned from having long hair or beards. To help us improve GOV.UK, wed like to know more about your visit today. Carpets hold such prominence in Turkmenistan that there is a Ministry of Carpet in the government. In 2008, President Berdymukhamedov added a new subsidy, of giving 120 litres of fuel to every individual every month. The Turkmen people are descendents of the nomadic Oghuz tribe that moved into the region in the 7th century. You can even be fined if you own a vehicle that is not painted white! Some Turkmen opposition sources also claim that Niyazov died several days before the officially announced date of 21 December. ", OpenStreetMap Wiki:Districts in Turkmenistan, : " " - . In 2006 the European Commission and the international trade committee of the European Parliament voted to grant Turkmenistan "most favoured nation" trading status with the European Union, widely seen as motivated by interest in natural gas, after Niyazov announced he would enter a "human rights dialogue" with the EU. On the afternoon of 21 December 2006, Turkmen state television announced that President Saparmurat Niyazov had died of a sudden heart attack in the early morning hours at around 01:10 local time at his residence, the Turkmenbashy Palace, age 66. Photo: Getty Images. While these laws are certainly strange, they don`t detract from Turkmenistan`s interesting history as a historic stopover along the Silk Road nor from the hospitality and warmth of the people who live there. President for life Saparmurat Niyazov implemented many laws during his reign, here are some of them: In February 2004, men were banned from wearing long hair or beards. That was switched to be named after Niyazov's mother. Only men over 70 years old could keep a beard. The Turkmen Agricultural University is named after him, as is the Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashy Military Institute. The statue stands till date and has not been removed by the incumbent President Berdymukhamedov. Melons of Turkmenistan are famous all throughout the region. Larger than any law, it illuminates the path of the Turkmen like the sun. Keep your passport separately in a safe place. The Turkmen government closely controls what goes on in Turkmenistan's many theaters. "Turkmenistan: Permanent Transition or Elusive Stability? In December 2020, the Ashgabat government adopted its National Gender Action Plan 2021-2025, which purportedly aims to improve standards at the national and local levels, including in the areas of health care, education, and the empowerment of women and girls. President for life Saparmurat Niyazov implemented many laws during his reign, here are some of them: In February 2004, men were banned from wearing long hair or beards. Hotels include the tax as a separate item on guests hotel bills. Follow me on social media too:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeurasiia/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/eurasiia1 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Books and Websites Used:1. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/21/world/asia/21cnd-turkmen.html 2. https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12316714 3. https://www.unusualtraveler.com/all-the-strange-bizarre-things-you-didnt-know-about-turkmenistan/ 4. https://www.thefactsite.com/turkmenistan-facts/ 5. https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/11/you-crazy-dictator-bread-and-circuses-in-turkmenistan/265125/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Editing Software: DaVinci ResolveBackground Music: - Jovial by Peyruis (You can check out more of his great music here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6qu7S) All music and pictures were downloaded and used legally per individual requirements. In Ashgabat, he erected a rotating, $12 million, golden statue of himself that always faces the sun. He then studied at the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute, where in 1967 he received a diploma as an electrical engineer. "[9], Under his rule, Turkmenistan had the lowest life expectancy in Central Asia. Someone, at some point, did something so nutty that people felt compelled to make it illegal. 110,000 people died when a 7.3 magnitude earthquake rocked Ashgabat and the surrounding region. Turkmenistan has no ties with NATO or Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). By Author Christian L. Posted on Published: December 22, 2021 - Last . It is cheaper to let the gas burn than spend money on matchboxes. [16] However, after the coup collapsed, he set about separating Turkmenistan from the dying Soviet Union. He also ordered that each broadcast begin with a pledge that the broadcaster's tongue would shrivel if he/she slanders the country, flag, and/or president. "Niyazov's dental crackdown is the latest in a series of follies and caprices . [citation needed], Niyazov became a substitute for the vacuum left by the downfall of the communist system, with his image replacing those of Marx and Lenin. Illustration: Seemon. Maybe it wasn't just lip syncing that Niyazov disliked, but just singing in general? Here, if you want a driving license, your skills with the steering wheel don't matter as much as your rote-learning of the Ruhnama. The statue was designed to rotate so that sun would be shining on his likeness at all times of the day. He grew up in a Soviet orphanage before the state put him in the custody of a distant relative. Only men above 70 could keep a beard. Wed like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. Some historians believe that over one million people were killed. but relics of him live on in the form of strange laws, changed . In February 2004, he decreed that men should no longer wear long hair or beards because of the apparent association with, In March 2004, he fired doctors and gymnastics instructors and replaced them with military. In 2013, seven years after Niyazov`s death, Ruhnama was finally removed from public schools in Turkmenistan. He also made it mandatory to read the Ruhnama in schools, universities and governmental organizations, new governmental employees were tested on the book at job interviews and an exam on its teachings was a part of the driving test in Turkmenistan. 7. You will learn something about everything! He was arrested after swearing on stage during a performance. Dogs were banned from the capital due to their unappealing odor. Smoking was banned in all public places and for all government employees. As usual when I can't decide, I choose both. November 2002, Ashgabat", "The Revocation of Dual Citizenship in Turkmenistan", "Short resume maintained by Reporters Sans Frontires", "Turkmen Doctors Pledge Allegiance To Niyazov", "When a Kleptocratic, Megalomanacal Dictator Goes Bad", "Transformations in Turkmen higher education: current opportunities and challenges at a new university", "Read My Words, Go to Heaven, Leader Says", "Turkmenistan: The Personality Cult Lives On, Residents Take It In Stride", "Turkmenistan: Ending the Personality Cult", U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, "Two candidates named for Turkmen presidency", "Mausoleum with Saparmurat Niyazov's burial-vault to open to public after third day of mourning | Turkmenistan.ru", " ", "Envoy Attends Funeral of Turkmenistan's Late President", "Chinese envoy attends funeral of Turkmenistan's late president", "Visit of Prof. Saifuddin Soz,Union Minister of Water Resources to Turkmenistan to attend the state funeral of H.E. Photo: Getty Images. Since 1993, thanks to Niyazov`s initiatives, all Turkmen citizens have had free access to gas, water and electricity. July 1983 officially saw the hottest day in Turkmenistan and the Soviet Union it was recorded at the Repetek Reserve at 122 F. Turkmenistan has the 6th largest oil and natural gas reserves in the world. [35] On 19 March 2007 Turkmenistan's new president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow reversed Niyazov's decision by restoring pensions to more than 100,000 elderly citizens.[36]. Turkmenistan has not participated in any United Nations peacekeeping missions. Each university has its own color and texture of fabric for clothing, and it is strictly forbidden to deviate from this requirement, even from shade. [97] A park in Turkey is named after him. Interesting to note that every person gets 25 kilowatt of electricity, 50 cubic metres of natural gas, and 250 litres of water every month. "The Golden Man: Saparmurat Niyazov's Reign of Insanity". But one accidental point of sight-seeing, the Darwaza Crater or the Hells Gate makes Turkmenistan a centreof attraction (we will come to the tourists' part in a bit though). Turkmenistan has the second-largest oil reserves in the former Soviet Union, generating high revenue for the state. In 2014, adventurer George Kourounis became the first person to enter the "Door to Hell" and reach the bottom of the pit. Young people can not grow beards, black cars, a record fascination with world records are some of the strange facts about Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan is among the world's least visited destinations. For some time, Turkmenistan has been able to boast of having virtually free public services. Here are some that Saparmurat Niyazov has implemented. After graduating, he went to study in Russia, but was expelled a few years later for academic failure.[1]. The Mayor of Pocatello jokingly passed this law following a severe winter back in 1948, which dampened the morale of city employees and citizens alike. Turkmenistan, the small country in Central Asia, might be the world's strangest country when it comes to both architecture and the bizarre laws that the locals have to obey under the firm control of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, the President of the country. It's illegal to skateboard without a skateboarding license. 2. In Billings, Montana it's illegal to buy or raise rats as pets. [1], Niyazov was buried in his ready prepared tomb in Kipchak Mosque on 24 December at his home village of Gypjak, approximately 7 kilometres (4.3mi) west of Ashgabat. It is made in compounds of rice with chunks of meat, carrot, and spices, fried in a large pan or a cauldron. The cap is designed in such a way that it maintains a stable body temperature in scorching summers or cold winter nights of the desert. Many of the ordinary citizens wept dramatically as they walked, some even clinging to the coffin and fainting. His renaming of months, as well as most of the days of the week, to Turkmen heroes, poets, historical events,[22] family members and himself was an unexpected development. Photo: Getty Images. Niyazov introduced the practice of "Melon Day", a harvest festival celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of August; unlike some of his other creations, the celebration of "Melon Day" has continued after his death. In 2013, seven years after Niyazovs death, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov ordered the removal of Ruhnama from all public schools. Berdimuhamedow also trimmed official references to Niyazov's biographical book, Ruhnama, in Spring 2007, and around 2009-10, television broadcasts of Ruhnama stopped. Niyazov himself had short hair and was clean shaven. Smoking was prohibited in all public places and for all government employees. And by 1985 he was already First . Turkmenistan declared independence from the Soviet Union on October 27, 1991. Niyazov made a personal attempt to create a cultural background for the new state of Turkmenistan by writing and promoting the Ruhnama, an autobiography meant to guide the people of Turkmenistan with his ideas and promote native culture (and by extension prohibiting foreign culture). Some of these laws were rationalized under the premise of trying to preserve traditional Turkmen culture. Pilaf, the staple diet of Turkmenistan. Surely he could have suggested that they translate it to . https://bit.ly/3Fsk0qoHave you ever heard of ASHGABAT, TURKMENIS. [96] In November 2022, however, the cities of Niyazov, Gurbansoltan Eje, and Serdar were renamed. If you have video suggestions, leave them in the comments. You have rejected additional cookies. Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov (Russian: ; Turkmen: Saparmyrat Ataewi Nyazow; 19 February 1940 - 21 December 2006), also known as Trkmenbay, was a Turkmen politician who ruled Turkmenistan as a dictator from 1985 until his death in 2006. As a result, even today, people are still not used to saving electricity, water or gas. Saparmurat Niyazov was the President of Turkmenistan from 1991-2006. and talks with Tajik opposition leader. Turkmenistanis right up there with North Korea as far as weird dictatorships are concerned. The incumbent President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov was his successor and hasruled asthe dictator-President of Turkmenistan since then. Girls are required to wear national clothing and tie their hair into braids, as well as the takhya national headgear. A mixture of Disneyland meeting North Korea with its incredible architecture, yet lack of freedoms, this country has a very rich history of violence. The state was annexed by Russia in 1881 and consequently became part of the Soviet Union in 1925 as the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic. Niyazov claimed that it was an attempt at a coup, and as a result, the Turkmen government arrested thousands of suspected conspirators and members of their families. But it's a highly secretive country that is often referred to as a . You must smile in public in Idaho. Turkmenistan, the small country in Central Asia, might be the world's strangest country when it comes to both architecture and the bizarre laws that the locals have to obey under the firm control of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, the President of the country. Turkmenistan weird laws "Perhaps we have enough for a ring," he pondered, "or maybe earrings. It is composed of rice, carrot, meat and lots of spices cooked in a large plan. In 2018, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov had renamedHell's Gateas the 'Shining of Karakum', butfour years later, now, he wants it to be shut. 1st president of Turkmenistan (19402006), "Nyazow" redirects here. [94][95] Displaying and keeping the book alongside the Quran in mosques were also stopped, except in Trkmenbay Ruhy Mosque. It is illegal to send a surprise pizza delivery to someone's house in Lousiana. ", in, Hiro, Dilip. So much white marble was used in Ashgabat that it holds the Guinness World Record for having the highest density of marble buildings. Outside of Hell`s Gate, the country has one of the weirdest sets of rules and living conditions for its people. Every second Sunday in the month of August is celebrated as the National Melon Day by the people. [66] Niyazov claimed those who read it thrice were destined for heaven. [23] Not all the changes promoted Niyazov; October was renamed Garasyzlyk (Independence) to mark the state's founding on 27 October 1991, and November Sanjar in honour of Sultan Sanjar who led the Seljuqs to their last full flowering. When he's not writing for the blog you can keep up with his adventures on. [26] Today the 22nd Motor Rifle Division "Atamyrat Niyazov" deployed in Serdar carries his name.[27]. The telpek is an ancient wears that has eluded the test of time to remain relevant. A remarkable fact about the country is that it was home to a giant sea 30 million years ago. There isn't much more we can say about this. It is a public holiday. So yes, this weird Japanese law is actually enforced. Cigarette stands on every corner are a testment to that. The city is heavily surveilled by police and so this ban is strongly enacted. INLED During the second Sunday of August every year, every person in the country is advised to eat melons grown in the country. You can import up to a maximum of 1.5 litres of alcohol. Cigarette stands on every corner are a testment to that. Thereby, January was renamed as Turkmenbasy, meaning Leader of the Turkmen, February as Baydak after the Turkmen Flag, April as Gurbansoltan after his mother. In his spare time, he loves to explore the world, drink coffee & attend trivia nights. Turkmenistan, a land-locked country, is the least densely populated countryinCentral Asia. It was formerly known as Turkmenia. Theroux, Paul. A year later he declared himself Trkmenbay, meaning "Leader of all Turkmen". Remember him, because we will be talking about him quite a bit. Gold Statue of Former Turkmenistan President Saparmurat Niyazov. [citation needed], Niyazov became president at the transition of Turkmenistan from a Soviet republic to an independent state. What's true and what's Turkmenbashi urban myth? Why is he so memorable, you may ask? For many in the west, it's hard to keep the countries of Central Asia straight, no matter how fascinating and unique each one may be. In 2017, the World Press Freedom Index ranked 178th of 180 countries, just below Eritrea and North Korea. You should take care over public displays of affection. It has however become a member of Interpol. . One of the many weird rules framed by Niyazov in 2004 was that young men were barred from having beard or long hair. 2015 saw Turkmenistans first satellite launched, in the same month all satellite dishes were banned across the country in an attempt to stop Turkmens gaining access to international media. No one that we spoke to could provide confirmation of weddings being raided by the attendance police. However, Ataew was arrested on 21 December 2006 and Berdimuhamedow was subsequently named acting president. Copyright 2023 India Today Group. Sometimes, these laws border on the seriously ridiculous, and other times they point to important cultural values that might be different than your own. It's no wonder why Turkmenistan had the lowest life expectancy in all of Central Asia at the time. It is remarkable to imagine that millions of years ago the country was covered by a sea. Find out about the Energy Bills Support Scheme, View a printable version of the whole guide, About Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice. Missionary is the only legal sexual position. During Niyazov's presidency, a textile industry was founded in Turkmenistan. The market has adapted to the rule and many female students simply buy fake braids and attach them to their takhyas or buy ready-made headgear to hide shorter haircuts. Turkmenistan president Saparmurat Niyazov (1991-2006) passed unusual laws during his term in the pretext of preserving ancient Turkmen culture. Turkmenistan, the small Central Asian country, is perhaps the strangest country in the world when it comes to architecture and bizarre laws that locals have to follow under the firm control of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the country`s president. Weird laws in Florida. Niyazov and his wife, Muza Melnikova, who was of Russian and Jewish descent, had a son (Murat) and a daughter (Irina). Gulnara Dzhumayeva, a politician with multiple portfolios in education, culture, health care and sports, reportedly told teachers that you don`t become Russian anyway [by lightening your hair]. Darwaza Crater, or Hell`s Gates as it is famous, is not a natural phenomenon, but the result of a natural gas drilling expedition gone horribly wrong. The 10 Most Unbelievable Laws in Turkmenistan - YouTube Dictatorships aren't exactly known for their reasonable laws. While the buildings are very well-kept, they are often empty and give the impression of a ghost town. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Fact Site is the number one source for the most interesting & random facts about animals, celebrities, food, films, games & so much more. Several places still bear his name, including the city of Turkmenbashy and the nearby town of Turkmenbashy, as well as several villages. Now, these subsidies are only given to a certain group of government employees, such as those who work in the oil and gas industry. In 2012, the country had an average of 8,900 visitors annually, which makes it one of the least explored countries in Central Asia. He banned news reporters and presenters from wearing makeup on television. News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Strange weird snapshot photo wild hula dances wild beach holiday bizarre +2314F at the best online prices at eBay! Up to 2014, this also included the vehicles. [24], His father Atamyrat Nyazow's Red Army service was used to shape how the country celebrates Victory Day (9 May). This unique country holds the Guinness World Record for the largest indoor Ferris wheel in an architectural structure. Illustration: Seemon The progressive erosion of women`s rights conflicts with Turkmenistan`s Constitution, laws and international conventions, to which Turkmenistan is a signatory, including the 1997 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Saparmurat Niyazov of Turkmenistan is often cited as one of the world's most deranged dictators. Homosexuality is still very much disapproved of socially. The Turkmen Supreme Soviet declared Turkmenistan independent and appointed Niyazov as the country's first president on 27 October 1991. The country has a population of about 5.6 million, making it one of the least populous and sparsely populated states in Asia. In 1948, one of the world's deadliest earthquakes struck Turkmenistan. Photo: Getty Images. His presidency was characterised by an initial crumbling of the centralised Soviet model that in many respects was unsuited for a transition to smaller, separate, states. You are here: The Darwaza Crater or The Hell's gate. Photo: Getty Images. However, most of its area is inhospitable to plant and animal life. And remember: having a criminal record is definitely not cool if you're a man over 40. [25] Individually, Niyazov's father was awarded the honorary title of Hero of Turkmenistan in 1994 and in 2004, a division of the Turkmen Ground Forces was renamed after Atamyrat Nyazow. In the years following independence, Turkmenistan invested heavily in plants and machinery in an attempt to convert it from being primarily a supplier of petroleum to a more advanced economy; such investments included oil refineries and a polyethylene plant. Berdymuhamedov`s 100-foot tribute to cycling. In 2005, he closed down all rural libraries and hospitals outside of the capital city Ashgabat, in a country where at that time more than half the population lived in rural areas,[8] once stating that, "If people are ill, they can come to Ashgabat. Moreover, there is also a carpet on the national flag of Turkmenistan. [67][68][69] Like Kim Il-sung, there is even a creation myth surrounding him. If you can't answer correctly, no driving license, sorry. Turkmenistan News/ Archiv Saparmurat Niyazov's (in English), Ruhnama Book by Turkmenbashy (online in English), Transcript of 2004 profile on news program, 28th Politburo of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Saparmurat_Niyazov&oldid=1152487197, Members of the Central Committee of the 27th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Members of the Central Committee of the 28th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Members of the Politburo of the 28th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, First secretaries of the Communist Party of Turkmenistan, Democratic Party of Turkmenistan politicians, Recipients of the Order of Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow, Recipients of the Order of Friendship of Peoples, Recipients of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 1st class, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University alumni, Heads of government of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic, Articles with dead external links from January 2023, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles with dead external links from June 2016, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles containing Russian-language text, Articles containing Turkmen-language text, Articles needing additional references from April 2022, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2022, Articles needing additional references from December 2008, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2022, Articles with Turkmen-language sources (tk), Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Niyazov declared Turkmenistan a "neutral state" and said that the country would not participate in any. It`s just one of those strange Turkmen rules that only seem to make sense to its leader. By Ella Morton. Constitution Constitution of Turkmenistan external link (University of Texas at Arlington) in English Executive President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Judicial COURTS: Supreme Court Legislative PARLIAMENT: Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) FAOLEX: Turkmenistan external link (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) database of national laws and regulations on . During the drilling, their equipment, including heavy machines fell into the crater, and natural gas began escaping. Rapper 50 Cent found out the hard way this small Caribbean nation takes public swearing seriously. Although reliable numbers are not readily available, it is estimated that less than 15,000 people visit the country annually. Niyazov believed that lip syncing was deterimental to the art of making music. [91] By that year, the old Constitution of Turkmenistan, adopted during Niyazov's presidency and codifying Niyazov's primacy, was replaced, and the government launched a democratization program. However, be sure never to do it in Louisiana. We couldn't find any for purchase at the bazaar. [31] All libraries outside of the capital were also closed, as Niyazov believed that the only books that most Turkmen needed to read were the Qur'an and his Ruhnama. In March 2014, 15,000 public health workers were dismissed from their roles. This unique country holds the Guinness World Record for the largest indoor Ferris wheel in an architectural structure.
Tampa Bay Lightning Theme Nights 2021,
Articles T