People's Artist of Turkmenistan, twice laureate of the Magtymguly International Prize, honorary elder of the people, the country's leading sculptor gave an interview to “Turkmenportal”.
You are taking part in the international conference “Turkmen land - the center of cultural values famous in the world”, in the focus of which is the Turkmen alabay, how relevant is this topic?
- The international conference is dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage, and the alabay, like the magnificent Ahalteke horses, is part of the original culture of our people, its relationship to the outside world. The current meeting of scientists, cynologists, and everyone who is related to this topic will help increase the world fame of the Turkmen Alabay, study the historical traces of this ancient breed of dogs and enrich the knowledge of young people in the field of national heritage.
Suffice it to recall that during the excavations of ancient Margiana, evidence was found of ritual burials of Alabays, who were buried as heroes, since the inhabitants of Margiana ranked them as warriors.
At the same time, the creative works of our ancestors testify to the love for this animal. Terracotta figurines of dogs with cropped ears and tail were discovered in different years in the Bronze Age settlements of Altyn-Depe and Gonur-Depe. A small faience figurine of an Alabay puppy was found in the medieval settlement of Dandanakan, located on the territory of Mary velayat. The museum collections of Ashgabat and the velayats also contain other sculptural images of dogs of the local breed, created in different centuries and in different craft centers. More recently, archaeologists have discovered images of alabay in the ornaments of ancient Turkmen carpets, in the paintings of dishes.
You are the author of the sculpture “Turkmen Alabay” - one of the bright sights of the Turkmen capital, tell us about how this sculpture was created.
- This is a collective image that reflects the distinctive features of this breed of dog. The six-meter sculpture embodies steadfastness, devotion, strength and at the same time friendliness of the faithful four-legged companion of the Turkmens, who occupies a special place in the history and culture of our people.
The sculpture was installed in the center of the road junction in the new metropolitan area, which also emphasizes the inseparable connection of times, the continuity of national cultural traditions.
Together with my students, sculptures were created for the centers of the Turkmen alabay in the velayats and Ashgabat. The exposition of the current exhibition also includes my works dedicated to the Turkmen alabay.
Thanks to the selfless activity of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, favorable conditions have been created in Turkmenistan for the development of fine and decorative arts. You can be convinced of this by getting acquainted with the work of my colleagues, who pay great attention to the topic of cultural heritage.
Have you had personal experience with this breed of dog?
- Of course, like any boy who grew up in the countryside. But I also have my own story related to Alabay. I didn’t walk until I was three years old, and this worried my mother a lot. Fellow villagers advised, according to popular beliefs, to resort to the help of Alabay. Mom put me in a basin and tied it to the powerful body of a dog, but it broke free and rushed through the village at high speed. Everyone rushed to save me. When they stopped the Alabay, I was safe and sound. And most importantly, I myself got out of his peculiar wagon and ran, apparently very frightened. Since then, I have not stopped, I am constantly on the move!
Thank you, we wish you good health and inexhaustible creative energy!
