Jubilee medal awarding ceremony for "300th anniversary of Magtymguly Pyragy" in Yerevan

On 22 October  2024, the Writers' Union of Armenia hosted a ceremony of awarding the jubilee medal "On the 300th Anniversary of Magtymguly Fragi" from the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov to poet-translator Varuzhan Saakhyan for his unwavering services in popularizing the heritage of Magtymguly Fragi.

The ceremony was attended by the Chairman of the Writers' Union Edward Militonyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Armenia Muhammetgeldi Ayazov, members of the Union, famous writers of Armenia, poets-songwriters, and representatives of the country's scientific intelligentsia.

In his welcoming speech, the Chairman of the Union Edward Militonyan noted the greatness and genius of Magtymguly and that many generations of Armenian writers have translated the wise and philosophical works of the great writer of the East. Proud of the achievements of Varuzhan Saakhyan and congratulating him on receiving such a high state award, Militonyan noted that this jubilee medal was also awarded to the President of the Republic Vahagn Khachaturyan, who during his visit to Ashgabat also presented the audience the Collection of selected translations of Magtymguly's poems into Armenian with Varuzhan Saakhyan 's translations. Melitonyan mentioned that the President of Armenia presented the book as a gift to the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

The Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Armenia Muhammetgeldi Ayazov, presenting the jubilee medal "For the 300th Anniversary of Magtymguly Fragi" established by a special decree of the President of Turkmenistan, noted that this entire year in Turkmenistan was held under the motto "The Fount of Wisdom of Magtymguly Fragi" and various events dedicated to this glorious date were held throughout the year at the state and international levels. The Ambassador told the audience that Magtymguly Fragi occupies a worthy place among the outstanding literary figures not only of the Turkmen people, but also of the world thanks to his philosophical teachings and poetic works. He is a personality of planetary scale, his works act as a consolidating force, because poetry is a universal means of communication.

Ambassador Ayazov added that on October 10 of this year, a ceremony of awarding foreign citizens with this medal was held in Ashgabat, and noted that the nominees for the medal included a member of the Writers' Union of Armenia, poet and translator Varuzhan Saakhyan and associate professor of the Department of Turkology at Yerevan State University Amalia Aghajanyan.

Then, in a solemn atmosphere, Ambassador Ayazov presented the jubilee medal to Varuzhan Saakhyan.

Poet translator Varuzhan Saakhyan expressed special gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Words of gratitude were also addressed to Professor Alexander Safaryan, head of the Department of Turkology at Yerevan State University and the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Armenia for their assistance in his creative work.

Alexander Safaryan also spoke with congratulations, telling those gathered that he personally asked Varuzhan Saakhyan to undertake translations of the great writer for the 290th anniversary of Magtymguly and how brilliantly and close to the original Varuzhan Saakhyan made these translations.

At the end of the ceremony, translations of Saakhyan in Armenian were recited.