Accompanied by cheerful New Year songs, colorful round dances, and dance performances by young Turkmen citizens, the Main Christmas Tree of the country lit up with multicolored lights today, announcing the imminent arrival of the much-anticipated, beloved holiday full of surprises — the New Year.

Every year, a spectacular show — the lighting ceremony of the tallest and most beautifully decorated green beauty — takes place in the square in front of the Cultural and Entertainment Center "Älem," where grand celebrations are traditionally held.

The Main Christmas Tree, adorned with an eight-pointed star and the numbers 2025, dressed in a dazzling outfit of numerous crystal snowflakes and colorful garlands, stands 44 meters tall and 16 meters wide.

Around it, thousands of young Ashgabat residents and guests of the capital gathered on the square, eagerly awaiting the magical show, joined by folklore and dance ensembles, circus and theater artists in carnival costumes, and fairy-tale characters.

Hurrying to the celebration are Santa Claus (Aýaz Baba) and Snow Maiden (Garpamyk), accompanied by their beloved companions Akpamyk and the cheerful Jäpbacks. Their journey begins at the sculptural composition of the Akhal-Teke horse Polatly, located at the intersection of avenues in the city of Arkadag, nestled in the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains.

The New Year procession heads to the "Akhan" monument in the square where the Main Christmas Tree of Arkadag is installed. Creative performances prepared for guests by artists of the Aman Gulmammedov State Drama Theater, the Gyorogly State Equestrian Circus, and students of the Saha Dzhapparov Specialized School of Arts and the Shukur Bakhshi Children's School of Arts add to the festivities.

Along the way, as they pass by newly built sites where festive entourages greet them with wishes of goodwill and happiness, Santa Claus and his friends continue their journey to the capital, Ashgabat.

At the Christmas tree in the square in front of the State Circus of Turkmenistan, the joyful company was warmly welcomed by children and their favorite character, Smart Ahmet. Theatrical performances delighted the guests, as children danced around the green Christmas tree with cheerful poems and songs.

Santa Claus and his companions then headed to the "Ylham" alley, where they were met by the fairy-tale character Mammetjan. Festivities unfolded here, filled with lively melodies and jokes, and young dancers captivated the audience with costumed scenes.

It is worth noting that the "Ylham" alley, which translates as "inspiration" from Turkmen, is one of the favorite recreational spots for residents of the capital. It is hard to find a word that better resonates with the high creative spirit of the current era.

Each year, young Ashgabat residents, accompanying Santa Claus and Snow Maiden to the central New Year tree, acquaint their long-awaited guests with the changes that have occurred over the past year in the rapidly developing appearance of the country's main city.

Today, participants of the fairy-tale journey also visited the new "Arkaç" shopping and entertainment center, where they were greeted by the mischievous Yartygyulak. They witnessed performances by the Turkmen State Puppet Theater and musical and vocal numbers.

Santa Claus and his granddaughter Snow Maiden then switched from their cabriolet to a snow-white phaeton and, accompanied by Uncle Ashyr and young hosts of the Turkmen capital seated in a two-story festive bus, continued their tour of pre-holiday decorated Ashgabat.

The participants of the show rode past residential "high-rises" and admired the architectural appearance of new buildings in Turkmenistan's capital, which are a testament to the tremendous attention and unwavering care of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for the development of the country's main city and the comfortable life of Turkmen citizens.

Finally, the caravan arrived at the "Älem" Cultural and Entertainment Center, where the Main Christmas Tree is installed. The approaching New Year, imbued with a sense of magical wonder, is felt here more than anywhere else.

At the entrance to this marvelous world, guests are greeted by figures of Turkmen fairy-tale characters and beloved animated heroes, adorned with colorful lights.

Compositions around the trees and shrubs are also decorated with lighting elements and colorful bulbs, creating the effect of floating in the air, especially at night, as part of the overall New Year ensemble.

Soon, a vibrant carnival filled the square in front of the Main Christmas Tree of the country. First, symbolic characters of the outgoing 2024 and the coming 2025 dedicated cheerful poems to the winter’s ruler.

Around the evergreen queen of the celebration, a spectacular performance unfolded in an atmosphere of magic and mystery, featuring theatrical groups from the capital, young performers, and popular pop artists.

On behalf of young Turkmen citizens and participants of the pre-New Year celebration, Santa Claus and Snow Maiden extended heartfelt congratulations to Arkadagly Hero President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the National Leader of the Turkmen People Hero-Arkadag, and all the people of Turkmenistan, wishing happiness, health, and success in implementing grand initiatives for the prosperity of the homeland. They expressed gratitude to the head of state for his tireless care for the younger generation and for creating conditions for its comprehensive development.

Happy children are the best indicator of the country’s well-being in the Revival of a New Epoch of a Powerful State. For them, across the homeland, new modern schools, kindergartens, sports grounds, stadiums, and cultural and educational centers are being built and continue to be constructed, providing everything necessary for the development of young creative talents.

The culmination of the joyful festivity was the Christmas tree, which lit up by the wish of the children and the wave of Santa Claus’s magic wand.

At that moment, all New Year trees installed in the main squares of cities in the country’s provinces also lit up with magical lights, where colorful performances, poems, songs, and joyful children’s dances are taking place today.

Delicious gifts and surprises from President Serdar Berdimuhamedov became the best reward for young Turkmen citizens.

The first celebration at the Main Christmas Tree in the capital ended with a grand concert featuring a children’s choir and popular pop singers who performed joyful songs dedicated to the New Year.

Source: State Information Agency of Turkmenistan