Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov arrived on a working visit to Kazan, the sixth Vienna Ball is planned to be held in Turkmenistan in 2024, Charymurat Kurbanov completed his career as a football referee and other news

Turkmenistan

1. National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov arrived on a working visit to the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation. These days, the International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” is being held in Kazan for the 15th time, to which the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan has been invited as an honored guest. Upon arrival in Kazan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held a meeting with Rustam Minnikhanov. During the meeting, the interlocutors noted successful cooperation in the oil and gas industry, shipbuilding, chemical industry, supplies of aircraft and trucks, as well as in the humanitarian sphere, including education, culture and art. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov confirmed Turkmenistan’s intention to strengthen and expand multifaceted cooperation with Tatarstan within the framework of a strategic partnership with Russia.

2. During the meeting of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov with the head of the Turkmen-Austrian Society Neda Berger, the issue of holding the sixth Vienna Ball this year in Turkmenistan was discussed. As President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted, cultural and humanitarian ties are an important component of Turkmen-Austrian relations. In 2024, the Turkmen-Austrian Symphony Orchestra “Galkynysh”, created on the initiative of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, celebrates its 15th anniversary. In addition, the Turkmen people are celebrating at a high level the 300th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding poet and thinker, internationally recognized classic of Eastern literature Magtymguly Fragi. Let us remind that the first Vienna Ball was held in Ashgabat on September 17, 2011, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the state independence of Turkmenistan. Last year the ball took place on October 11 in the city of Arkadag.

3. The feature film Daragt will represent Turkmenistan in the competition program of the XVII Cheboksary International Film Festival, dedicated to ethnic and regional cinema. The festival will be held in the capital of the Chuvash Republic from May 23 to 29. The festival premiere of the Turkmen film will be held at the “Volzhsky” cinema on May 27. The film Daragt, shot by film director Sahysalyh Bayramov in 2023 at the “Turkmenfilm” Association named after Oguzhan, tells about the fate of a Turkmen family in the years after the Great Patriotic War.

4. Honored Artist of Turkmenistan, pianist Vladimir Mkrtumov will give his solo concert in the regional capital of the country. The concert program includes works by Frederic Chopin. Mkrtumov’s tour begins on May 17 with a concert at the new School of Arts in the city of Arkadag. The next concert will be held on May 19 at the Mary School of Arts. On the same day, the pianist will give a concert at the Lebap School of Arts. For the capital's public, Mkrtumov's concert will be held on May 22 in the concert hall of the “Ashgabat” Culture and Recreation Park.

World

5. The first official portrait of King Charles III presented in Great Britain caused public surprise. The portrait was painted by Jonathan Yeo, one of the most sought-after portrait artists in the world according to GQ. The British artist has created portraits of Cara Delevingne, James Cameron, Kevin Spacey and other celebrities. The painting, 2,56 meters high, depicts Charles III in full height against a red background. Near the king's shoulder you can see a butterfly, symbolizing metamorphosis and rebirth. The public's reaction to the film was mixed. Some Britons did not appreciate the departure from traditional portraits. They saw alarming and ominous signs in the red tones.

6. Over the past 30 years, extreme heat has killed more than 150 thousand people. Scientists came to this conclusion after analyzing data on mortality and temperature in 750 regions of 43 countries. Scientists found that excess mortality between 1990 and 2019 amounted to 153 078 deaths per year. This is 1% of all deaths in the world. Residents of Europe suffer the most from the heat, where the death toll reaches 655 people per 10 million.

Sport

7. Charymurat Kurbanov, one of the most famous Turkmen referees, announced the end of a refereeing career that lasted more than 20 years. 46 years old Kurbanov has officiated at World Cup qualifying matches, prestigious international tournaments and international friendlies. In his farewell match as the chief referee, Kurbanov led the referee team to the meeting of the 15th round of the Major League of Turkmenistan between the “Ahal” and “Nebitchi” clubs.