At any time,. Copyright 2023, Uncornered Market. Via Emil Delavele 18 A We were so close to a visit when we were in this area in 2018, but we were a little nervous about Turkmenistan and Tajikistan and were also running out of time. The Turkmen can also be sensitive about pictures being taken in the Teke, Russian and Tolkuchka bazaars in Ashgabat. [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]. After learning all these Turkmenistan facts its clear to see that this little unknown country deserves to be on anyones travel bucket list. This is also why there are a number of car-washing stations on the outskirts of the city, so that people can get their cars cleaned before entering the city. It was reopened in 2009 after his death, by his successor Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. 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. The melons of Turkmenistan are so sweet and revered that they are recognized by a national holiday. Good to know, right? Struggling For News In Turkmenistan", The World Factbook entry for Turkmenistan, "President of Turkmenistan closes hospitals, libraries and nature reserves", "Turkmenbashi, Crazy Dictator of Absurdistan", "Russian media outlets disseminate "deliberately perverted" information on republic's pension maintenance", "Turkmen leader pardons 8,145 thousand convicts", "Turkmenistan to set free 10056 prisoners", "Saparmurat Niyazov bans use of "phonograms" at concerts and TV programs", "Channel 4 News on the death of Turkmenbashi", "Turkmenistan bans converted left-hand-drive vehicle imports", "Saparmurat Niyazov - President of Turkmenistan", "TURKMEN LEADER SAPARMURAT NIYAZOV BANS CHEWING TOBACCO-PRODUCT "NAS" IN PUBLIC PLACES", "Turkmenistan lifts curtain on banned arts". However, Turkmenistan is also no stranger to bizarre behavior from its political powers. [29], In March 2004, 15,000 public health workers were dismissed including nurses, midwives, school health visitors and orderlies. Kids in Turkmenistan get to horse training centres at a young age to become horse trainers. 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. It is popular across the entire country and is a must-have dish at every event from family picnics to weddings and social gatherings. . Outside of Hell`s Gate, the country has one of the weirdest sets of rules and living conditions for its people. Local laws and customs - Turkmenistan travel advice - GOV.UK September? It is cheaper to let the gas burn than spend money on matchboxes. A year later he declared himself Trkmenbay, meaning "Leader of all Turkmen". Sometimes, these laws border on the seriously ridiculous, and other times they point to important cultural values that might be different than your own. You should take care over public displays of affection. When he's not writing for the blog you can keep up with his adventures on. Which brings us to our next point. Ok, this gets a bit confusing, so bear with us. 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. Originally from the U.S. Daniel has lived abroad since 2001 and most recently has been on the road since 2006. In many respects, Niyazov's cultural ideas and changes were most visible to external viewers. 40 Weird Laws in the U.S | Far & Wide - farandwide.com [58] Critics claim the government staged the attempt in order to crack down on mounting domestic and foreign political opposition. He continued to rule Turkmenistan for 15 years after independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The Turkmen Embassy in Moscow later confirmed this report. [79] As he was buried, the national anthem was played accompanied by a 21-gun salute, symbolizing the number of years during which he was in power.[81]. The crater burns continuously in the desert, creating the impression of the gates of hell. He was heavily critcised by the Muslim population, but none dared to do so openly. Berdimuhamedow also trimmed official references to Niyazov's biographical book, Ruhnama, in Spring 2007, and around 2009-10, television broadcasts of Ruhnama stopped. It is so hard to legally get to the county that smuggling cartels are a better option for many. In March 2005, he ordered the closure of all hospitals outside Ashgabat, stating that the sick should go to the capital for treatment. It's no wonder why Turkmenistan had the lowest life expectancy in all of Central Asia at the time. 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. Dont include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. Missionary is the only legal sexual position. [citation needed], Niyazov became president at the transition of Turkmenistan from a Soviet republic to an independent state. 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. 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. One of the many weird rules framed by Niyazov in 2004 was that young men were barred from having beard or long hair. Homosexuality is still very much disapproved of socially. President Berdymukhamedov had visited the site in 2010, and back then too he had asked for the closure of the site. We could talk all day about this amazing country in Asia. The view is awe-inspiring at night as the flames light up against the pitch darkness of the desert. No more than 2 packets of 20. 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. 110,000 people died when a 7.3 magnitude earthquake rocked Ashgabat and the surrounding region. Transfixed in Turkmenistan | Sophie's World Travel Inspiration [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. New York: Overlook Press, 2009. p227. Fortunately, her diplomatic status saved her from fines and her car from the impound lot. During Niyazov's presidency, a textile industry was founded in Turkmenistan. The geologistsdecided to light it upin the hope that it would burn out after a few days. 60 Weird Laws Around the World By Lissa Poirot and Brittany Alexandra Sulc, updated on February 7, 2023 Getty Images Every country is different, and every country's laws are different. Although reliable numbers are not readily available, it is estimated that less than 15,000 people visit the country annually. The state was annexed by Russia in 1881 and consequently became part of the Soviet Union in 1925 as the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic. You have rejected additional cookies. Actually, the President recently visited the site and drove doughtnuts around it! We could go on all day about this amazing country in Asia. Plov is the favorite dish in the country. (9 May 2020). Turkmen media referred to him using the title, His Excellency Saparmurat Trkmenbay, President of Turkmenistan and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers. Niyazov made the second Sunday of August "Melon Day" in honor of. In 2013, seven years after Niyazov`s death, Ruhnama was finally removed from public schools in Turkmenistan. What's true and what's Turkmenbashi urban myth? Niyazov had ordered the book to be kept in all the mosques. Niyazov put the revival of Turkmen culture as one of the top priorities in Turkmenistan's development. Prior to this achievement, it was in the Guinness Book for having the worlds tallest flagpole (133 m), the largest fountain complex, largest architectural image and largest Ferris wheel in an enclosed architectural design. Remember him, because we will be talking about him quite a bit. People have a certain way of explaining almost every process in their lives. 19. Why is he so memorable, you may ask? Ashgabat holds the Guinness World Record for the world's largest collection of marble buildings. [28] By 2005, there were 36,000 Internet users in Turkmenistan, representing 0.7% of the population. And by 1985 he was already First . Turkmenistan holds the Guinness World Record for the largest indoor Ferris wheel in an architectural structure. Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting Turkmenistan - Unusual Traveler With that in mind, here is a complete travel guide to Turkmenistan to get you prepared and ready, with a few Turkmenistan facts and strange laws to go along with it. * Most of these rules fell after the death of Saparmurat Niyazov in 2006 and the coming to power of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. In 1998, President for Life Niyazov ordered the construction of a "monument to neutrality" at the cost of $12 million dollars. In an attempt to burn off the excess gas, Soviet engineers set it alight in 1971, estimating that it would take a few weeks to burn off. [62] He accused the minister of incompetence and declared: "I cannot say that you had any great merits or did much to combat crime. And remember: having a criminal record is definitely not cool if you're a man over 40. Surely he could have suggested that they translate it to . At the same time, he closed all libraries outside the capital because people in the countryside could not read. More than 100 countries later, we are still goingand still married. There remain sensitivities around relationships between foreign men and local women, and the Turkmen authorities are known to take action against both. For other uses, see, "Nyazow" redirects here. In the year 2002, Niyazov decided that every day of the month and week would be renamed after his family members. For example: no opera, gold teeth or spandex. For other people with the same surname, see, "Turkmenbasi" redirects here. He renamed the town of Janga and city of Krasnovodsk after his nickname Trkmenbay, and renamed schools, airports, Ashgabat streets, and even a meteorite after himself and members of his family. The 47 Weirdest Laws from Around the World Best Life Drivers will be fined for splashing pedestrians with rainwater Image credit: @iarjunphotography 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. 3. You may be wondering if the Turkmen president is crazy? From a burning gas crater (Darvaza) known as the Gates of Hell, to the Abandoned Capital City of Ashgabat (which holds the Guinness World Record for being the largest marble city in the world), Turkmenistan is full of surprises. If you are found guilty, you could face a lengthy prison sentence in very basic conditions. Cigarette stands on every corner are a testment to that. Some of his creations remain unchanged, including the celebration of Melon Day. A year later, Berdymukhamedov declared that the Turkmen universities would no longer test students on the knowledge of Ruhnama. Thankfully, because it's one of the weirdest laws around the world, we're guessing it never really has to be enforced. It is nearly incomprehensible that a desert place can produce melon, but some of the best melons in the world are grown in Turkmenistan. Failure to do this would lead to the destruction of the mosque. Check the full list here. Turkmen are descendants of the ancient Oghuz communities that migrated to the region around the seventh century. The Darvaza Gas Craters, or Gates to Hell as the locals know it, is a 226 feet (60 m) wide and 98 feet (30 m) deep crater that has huge deposits of oil and natural gas. Apart from the the Hells Gate, the country has one of the most bizarre set of rules and living conditions for its people. 5. Cars that are not white are forbidden from the streets of Ashgabat, the non-white vehicles taken from the owners as hostages and forcibly painted white no matter what. Spending 3 Days in The World's Strangest City - YouTube On 28 December 1999, Parliament declared Niyazov President for Life; parliamentary elections had been held a few weeks earlier for which the president had hand-picked all candidates. The authorities were unable to stop the campaign and the President responded by firing his Interior Minister and director of the police academy on national television. Turkmenistan's media constantly doted on the president and helped build his cult of personality. Turkmenistan Facts | Weird Laws & Bizarre Architecture - Unusual However, this seems a bit beside the point when you realize that people got sick and couldn't access doctors. Image: Stocksy #13. Not Turkmenistan. The Turkmen Supreme Soviet declared Turkmenistan independent and appointed Niyazov as the country's first president on 27 October 1991. But it's a highly secretive country that is often referred to as a . It was captured by the Mongols who executed the entire population, apart from 400 artisans. In keeping with the predominantly Islamic nature of Turkmen society, President Niyazov granted pardons each year on the Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Destiny) in the month of Ramadan. Niyazov continued the old practice of demanding yearly quotas in agricultural output, and then blaming and/or sacking deputy ministers when quotas were not met. It's not like Turkmen women have a propensity to wear spandex anyway. In 2008, less than two years after Niyazov's death, the names of months and days of the week changed by Niyazov were restored,[90] and reference in the National Anthem of Turkmenistan to Niyazov was replaced with "the people". If you can't answer correctly, no driving license, sorry. Now, these subsidies are only given to a certain group of government employees, such as those who work in the oil and gas industry. It is against the law to give tobacco products as a gift; if you are caught you could be fined. One of the contentious laws outlaws gold teeth, opera, and spandex. [37] In 2006 Turkmenistan set free 10,056 prisoners, including 253 foreign nationals from 11 countries. 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. [10], Niyazov was born on 19 February 1940 in Gypjak (or Kipchak), just outside Ashgabat in the Turkmen SSR. In an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper, Niyazov claimed that Turkmenistan was able to process 85% of its domestic output. However, if you have a legal issue with the video uploaded, please contact me first in order to resolve the problem quickly, swiftly and easily. The current president, Berdimuhamedow, ordered the removal of the statue in 2010. Somewhere, a bit of greasing of the palms of the license-givers. 15. It is a cultural sign of appreciation for a family to offer guests a plate of plov whenever they visit. Well send you a link to a feedback form. Smoking was prohibited in all public places and for all government employees. April? "Turkmenistan: Permanent Transition or Elusive Stability? The doting actions of the official Turkmen media supported his cult of personality. But if you`re looking for a place off the beaten path where few travelers have been before you, this is definitely the place for you. Statues and portraits of him were put everywhere throughout the country. Thereby, January was renamed as Turkmenbasy, meaning Leader of the Turkmen, February as Baydak after the Turkmen Flag, April as Gurbansoltan after his mother. But Berdymuhamedov also passed bizarre laws. His mother and two brothers were killed in the devastating 1948 Ashgabat earthquake. We have a thorough fact-checking process and a dedicated team verifying our content for accuracy. One foreigner we spoke to confirmed that she recently received a firm reprimand from a policeman in Ashgabat because her car was a bit dusty. The country stands as one of the most repressed countries of the world, with a one-party government and President Berdymukhamedov's dictatorship style of working. mejek hrat Trkmen Edebiyaty Publisistika. Enjoy these Turkmenistan facts that don't seem true, but strangely, they are. Unbelievable Facts About Turkmenistan, the Dystopian - WorldAtlas [92] By 2011, Berdimuhamedow's government rescinded the requirement to pass a secondary-school examination on the book[93] and in 2014, it was finally declared that Turkmenistani universities would no longer test applicants on their knowledge of the book. Larger than any law, it illuminates the path of the Turkmen like the sun. As for the reasoning behind the make-up ban, anyone's guess is as good as one another's apparently he believed that news reporter should look "natural". They were given bones to gnaw to strengthen their teeth. One of the drivers of the Aston Martin Tokyo-to-London team was fined $100 by the Turkmen highway militsia for smoking in his own car. A difficult visa process is one of the reasons behind the low numbers. He even went to the extent of inscribing the verses of Ruhnama and Quran on the largest mosque of Turkmenistan, Turkmenbasy Ruhy Mosque. Currently, there are following codes: Civil Code of Turkmenistan. [70][71], During Niyazov's presidency there was no freedom of the press nor was there freedom of speech. Even dirty cars are not allowed. The government has used central planning, such as state control of production and procurement, direct bank credits with low interest rates, exchange rate restrictions, and price controls, since it existed as a Republic within the USSR.[18]. Turkmenistan under Turkmen Presidents Niyazov and Berdymuhamadov has experienced some crazy laws, and these here are the top 10 most unbelievable laws from Turkmenistan.Thanks for watching! The desert landscape is the prominent feature in Turkmenistan. Sadly, thanks to the Licensing Act 1872, it's also illegal and could land you a 200 fine and almost a year in jail. Mr Saparmurat Niyazov,the late President of Turkmenistan", "Soz to represent India at Niyazov's funeral", "Late President of Turkmenistan laid to rest", "Absolute leader's name dropped from anthem", "Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov: Illusion of a Khrushchevian Thaw? Lots of wacky laws have been written over the years, and they were all written for a reason. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com, 10 Unique And Interesting Facts About Turkmenistan, 8 Interesting And Unique Facts About Somalia, 10 Interesting And Unique Facts About Samoa, 10 Interesting And Unique Facts About Botswana, 10 Unique And Interesting Facts About Uzbekistan. It is the second largest land-locked country in Central Asia next to Kazakhstan; andTurkmenistan'scapital and largest city, Ashgabat, sharesits southern border with Iran. To help us improve GOV.UK, wed like to know more about your visit today. It is a public holiday. Some of these laws were rationalized under the premise of trying to preserve traditional Turkmen culture. If you have video suggestions, leave them in the comments. This one's true. Smoking is definitely allowed. 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. 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. 1st president of Turkmenistan (19402006), "Nyazow" redirects here. Friday was renamed after her, too. This ghastly looking grater covers an area of more than 5,000 km, and was intentionally set on fire back in the early '70s when the Soviet government thought that there was oil to be discovered underneath. The Bayou State has declared it illegal to send anything to a person's house . He made the book mandatory to be studied in schools, universities and government offices. In 1962, Niyazov started his political career, becoming a member of the Communist Party. Press freedom under Niyazov's leadership was much criticised as it was with other former Soviet central Asian states. 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. Yes, you read that correctly. His birthday is designated as a national day (not an official holiday), called "Turkmenbashy Remembrance Day". But if you ask the same question to a Turkmen, he will firmly answer you: The plane is flying to Turkmenistan because the passengers have received visas, and Gurbanguly Mlikgulyewi, our wise guide and leader, has agreed to accept the plane on Turkmen land. [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. Pilov is the staple diet of the people of Turkmenistan. You have accepted additional cookies. Moreover, there is also a carpet on the national flag of Turkmenistan. 50 Craziest Laws in the United States - ContactSenators Remnants of aquatic life such as sea fossils are found all over the deserts. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Saparmurat Niyazov, former president of Turkmenistan, has left quite The story goes that while Turkmenbashi attended a televised ceremony, he caught sight of a woman with a set of gold teeth, found it inappropriate, and publicly told her so. You see, in Turkmenistan, everything submits to the will of the leader; The birds do not sing, the sun does not rise, and the wind does not blow without his consent. The geologists lit a fire imagining that it would burn for a couple of days. According to the state-run newspaper Neytralny Turkmenistan, the President has orderedhis Cabinet ministers to find a way to close theearthlygates of hell. The Turkmen Agricultural University is named after him, as is the Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashy Military Institute. Today we are going to look at 20 facts about this little unknown country. Sofia, Bulgaria, Tel: 00359 32585000 "Eavesdropping" on your own conversations is a Class 4 felony punishable by up to three years in state prison in Illinois. here are a few of Turkmenbashi's laws and decrees: No lip syncing at public concerts (it has a negative effect on musical . Besides the opera, he also banned ballet and, famously, the circus. Berdimuhamedow and the Halk Maslahaty announced on 26 December 2006 that the next presidential elections would be held on 11 February 2007 to elect Niyazov's successor. The Karakum Desert, or Black Sand in the Turkic languages, occupies 70% of Turkmenistan, or 135,135 square miles (350,000 km). In 1970, the Soviet scientists were drilling for natural gas, but accidentally their equipments fell in the sinkhole, causing the escape of natural gas. [38], I watched young dogs when I was young. Unfortunately for barbers, all Turkmens we spoke to indicated to us that this rule was myth. [97] A park in Turkey is named after him. He banned men from having long hair or beards, banned opera, banned city dogs, and even renamed the days and months of the year after his family members. The Turkmen government closely controls what goes on in Turkmenistan's many theaters. This rule is supposed to help families avoid going broke when throwing weddings for their daughters. While the buildings are very well-kept, they are often empty and give the impression of a ghost town. Deserts and sand form the prominent part of the geography of the country today as it is home to Karakum desert. This meant that anyone living in rural areas had to travel across the country to get medical care (which is vaguely the size of California). He banned the reporting and even mentioning of. In May 2000, the government revoked all Internet licenses except for the state-owned Turkmen Telecom and in June 2001 shut down all Internet cafs. In March 2014, 15,000 public health workers were dismissed from their roles. The president of Turkmenistan (who called himself Turkmenbashi, leader of the Turkmen) is known for his strange YouTube videos and even stranger laws. A Turkmen could easily leave the gas on so as not to waste a match in the light later! Cigarette stands on every corner are a testment to that. The emblem, however, is of the living horse and once the horse dies, the new Akhal Teke horse will be chosen and the national emblem will be updated. Turkmen laws now seem normal to the people who live there, but they are still a little strange to those of us who don`t. Saparmurat Niyazov - Wikipedia 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. [96] In November 2022, however, the cities of Niyazov, Gurbansoltan Eje, and Serdar were renamed. It serves as a meeting point between East and West. Interesting to note that every person gets 25 kilowatt of electricity, 50 cubic metres of natural gas, and 250 litres of water every month.