― 24 января 2025 г.
Screening of the film on Magtumguly Fragi at the Turkish House in New York
On January 21st, 2025, an event was held at the Turkish House in New York to introduce the film co-produced by Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan in memory of Magtumguly Fragi, one of the many illustrious personalities of the Turkic World to art lovers.
The event which attracted great interest was attended by the Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the UN Mr. Tofig V. Musayev, the Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the UN Mr. Kairat Umarov, the Permanent Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to the UN Mrs. Aida Kaysmalieva, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the UN Mr. Ata Eyeberdiyev and the Chief Clerk Pena Atageldiyev, as well as artists who performed in the film and heads of non-governmental organisations in the USA and many other guests.
The event started with the opening of TURKSOY's photo exhibition on ‘Cultural Capitals of the Turkic World’ and ‘Magtumguly Fragi’. Participants had the opportunity to examine the exhibition, which included photographs revealing the rich cultural heritage of the Turkic World. Then, the film on Magtumguly Fragi, a co-production of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan which won the Grand Prix at the 4th Korkut Ata Film Festival of the Turkic World was screened in the multi-purpose conference hall of the Turkic House.
In his speech at the event, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev said:
‘We are together in our common house in a very meaningful event crowning the cultural richness of the Turkic World. This film is a powerful symbol of not only the depth of cultural ties between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, but also of the unity of the Turkic World.’
Secretary General Raev emphasised the importance of transmitting the rich culture of the Turkic World and stressed that the universal messages of Magtumguly Fragi still shed light upon humanity today:
‘Magtumguly Fragi is a wiseman whose timeless ideas transcend ages; he is a representative of universal values such as justice, brotherhood and peace. Today, more than ever, the world needs philosophers like Fragi. In this respect, I would like to congratulate our artists who contributed to this work introducing Magtumguly Fragi to the audience in a wonderful way.’
Secretary General Raev also reminded that Turkmenistan has declared 2025 as the ‘International Year of Peace and Trust’ and stated that the event organised was a meaningful beginning for this year.
Within the scope of the event, paintings of young artists inspired by the works of Magtumguly Fragi were exhibited. Secretary General Raev noted that such events play an important role in supporting young talents and said: ‘Ensuring the sustainability of our culture and supporting young talents is one of our priority tasks at TURKSOY,.’ Concluding his remarks with Magtumguly Fragi's call ‘Let us be united, let us set an example to the world by glorifying friendship’, Secretary General Raev thanked the participants and the Consul General Muhittin Ahmet Yazal for hosting the event.
The Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in New York, Mr. Muhittin Ahmet Yazal: ‘The Common House of the Turkic World’
Delivering an opening speech prior to the special screening of the film on Magtumguly Fragi held at the New York Turkish House, the Consul General of New York Muhittin Ahmet Yazal made the following statements about the meaning and importance of the event:
‘Today is a happy day for us. We hosted the Turkic World in its home in New York. The occasion for this is Magtumguly Fragi, one of the important personalities, philosophers and authors of our history, our common culture, the culture of the whole Turkic nation. He came to the agenda with a film co-produced by Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan and we were able to realise this thanks to TURKSOY's organisation. We are very happy for this reason.’
Noting that the Turkish House belongs to the whole Turkic World, Consul General Yazal further said:
‘Indeed, for us here, as the name of our house suggests, this House of Turks is not only the home of Türkiye, but also of the whole Turkic nation; it is the common home of the great Turkic nation and states. Here, we will watch this film together with our guests coming from all corners of the Turkic World. In addition, we had the opportunity to see the works of the young talents of the Turkic World, which depict our culture and history in a very beautiful way at the exhibition of paintings of our cultural capitals, a project initiated by TURKSOY. While such events show what a great cultural power we have behind us, they also remind us what a great responsibility we carry on our shoulders. We hope to continue these activities with the support of TURKSOY and other relevant organisations. I send my greetings and respect to everyone.’
Interview with the film crew before the screening
Before the special screening of the film on Magtumguly Fragi, an interview was held with the film crew. The director of the film Erkinov Muzaffarkhon who explained the background and importance of this meaningful project said:
‘This film, which was shot for the 300th anniversary of Magtumguly Fragi, was made upon initiative of our President Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the President of Turkmenistan Mr. Serdar Berdimuhamedov for his support. Our film shows the unity of the two peoples, moreover, the unity of the entire Turkic world. We shot this project in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan; we filmed more than 50 locations and carried out a beautiful work. Our languages, religion and culture are one. It is a great honour for us to show these commonalities through cinema.’
Expressing his gratitude to TURKSOY and Turkic House, Erkinov further said:
‘We are very grateful to TURKSOY. We thank Mr Sultan Raev, our Secretary General. Our ministers come together under the auspices of TURKSOY and support our work. We should make more historical films in the future. We should use the art of cinema to show our common culture. We are holding today's event in New York with the support of the Republic of Türkiye. Thank you for welcoming us at the Turkish House.’
Cutting the opening ribbon of the event, Lachin Şuayb, the aksakal of Meskhetian Turks, made the following statements:
‘Today is a great day of the Turkic World. We look forward to the continuation of this work and congratulate those who contributed to it.’
Lead Actor Ahmet Amandurdyyev: ‘I am happy that it was given to me’
Young actor Amandurdyyev, who took the floor to share his feelings and thoughts before the film screening, said the following:
‘It was a great honour for me to portray our great philosopher Magtumguly Fragi on the silver screen. Our film won the First Prize at the Korkut Ata Film Festival of the Turkic World. This was also a source of pride for us. Our film is the first co-production of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, two kindred countries. I would like to express our gratitude to our hero Arkadag, our Serdar from Arkadag for their support.’
