An eco-festival with a focus on the climate theme was held in Ashgabat on Sunday – perhaps the garden of the Ak Altyn Hotel, which was chosen by the organizers as the venue for the event, has not yet known such an invasion of people.

And the organizers themselves probably did not expect such a massive influx, otherwise they would have chosen a larger site.

But this is a note for the future, and today the cozy and rather spacious patio of the hotel could barely accommodate everyone who wanted to join the common cause for saving our planet through their own, albeit small, but conscious contribution to the development of the ecological culture of society.

The action was initiated by the British Embassy in Turkmenistan with the support of young climate activists and eco-blogger Gulnara Taijanova.

The participants are dozens of volunteers, enthusiasts who are ready to share original craft ideas on the topic of recycling all kinds of materials, and hundreds of Ashgabat residents who came with sincere interest and desire to be useful in the movement for a more sustainable and green world.

It just seems that people mostly live their daily, everyday worries. Yes, they live by them, but not only, behind this "narrow" circle there is always another, extensive perimeter of complicity in the life of humanity, which was clearly demonstrated by the intensive influx of people who went to Ak Altyn sometimes with whole families, not only with empty plastic bottles in their hands, announced as an "invitation" to the event, but also with boxes of other materials that can find a second life.

The eco-festival, which left no free space on the lawns and paths of the green courtyard of the hotel, included many interesting events – from stage performances to master classes in needlework for children, quizzes and fun games.

A few minutes after the opening of the event, all the thematic zones were literally teeming with people of all ages, and even official speeches from the organizers did not distract them much from their studies – the kids worked with abandon on simple crafts, the girls learned to crochet mats from plastic bags, the boys were more interested in the robot exhibition and an improvised 3D printing workshop for plastic, the ladies crowded around a table with eco-cosmetics…

There was also a vegan food corner – snacks, desserts, coffee with soy milk, 3D holographic fans, songs, dances and presentations.

The British Charge d'affaires in Ashgabat, John Hamilton, addressed the audience.

A brief digression into the climate agenda was presented by creative young presenters Shukurgeldi Myradov and Sabrina Huseynova.

There was also an interactive discussion with the audience, where they talked about the importance of renewable energy sources for combating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and presented an exhibition of operating solar panels.

The owner of the art studio "Keshde" Sheker Akiniyazova told about the principles of sustainable fashion and revealed the secrets of upcycling - the creative reuse of things.

There was also a quest "Become climate friendly", an exhibition of children's drawings "Creative Earth", a dance flash mob and much more.

ORIENT news
Photo and video: Suleyman Charyev