“Nations that protect their cultures and values will always move forward with confidence”
27.04.2014
President Gül delivered a speech at the luncheon that President Berdimuhammedov of Turkmenistan hosted. The President reiterated that “we are keeping alive such traditional values as fraternity, hospitality, affection and sharing while we are handing down the culture of horse breeding to the next generations.”
President Abdullah Gül delivered a speech at the luncheon that President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov of Turkmenistan hosted on the occasion of the Equestrian Festival held in Ashkhabad.
“WE FEEL AT HOME IN ASHKHABAD”
Having attended the award ceremony held at the end of the races, President Gül participated in the luncheon hosted by President Berdimuhammedov and he delivered a speech at the luncheon during which he averred his happiness to be visiting Ashkhabad on the occasion of the Equestrian Festival, which he said is an important part of the Turkmen culture. “I would like to extend my thanks to our Turkmen brothers for making us feel at home in Ashkhabad. My dear friend and brother President Berdimuhammedov has warmly welcomed me as usual. Horses and horse breeding are of great importance in Turkic culture as Mahmud Kashgari said: ‘the horses are the wings of the Turks.’ As for the Akhalteke horses, these beautiful horses are promoted through the Equestrian Festival held each year since 1992.”
As part of this year’s festival, the Turkish Presidency Race was run for the first time, noted President Gül, offering his thanks to his Turkmen counterpart for that.
KEEPING ALIVE TRADITIONAL VALUES
President Gül further maintained that nations that protect their cultures and values will always move forward with confidence, adding: “This festival that has become traditional is the most tangible demonstration of the sensitivity that our Turkmen brothers have in this regard. We are today keeping alive such traditional values as fraternity, hospitality, affection and sharing while we are handing down the culture of horse breeding to the next generations.”
The President later predicted that as long as the Turkic world preserves its traditions, history, culture and values, it will enjoy brighter future and he further congratulated Turkmenistan on the Equestrian Festival.
President Gül afterwards completed his program in Turkmenistan and returned to Ankara.
