Russian Ambassador to Turkmenistan Ivan Volynkin said this in his first interview to TASS in his new post. The diplomat noted that the people of Turkmenistan show great interest in the Russian language, and the two states show great interest in the development of cooperation in the economic and humanitarian spheres.

“Despite the absence of an official status, the Russian language today is native to approximately 12% of the population of Turkmenistan and remains in demand, playing the role of a tool for interethnic communication in the professional, economic, cultural and scientific fields,” Volynkin emphasized.

In his interview, he noted that the leadership of Turkmenistan takes care of the Russian language, as evidenced by a number of large-scale joint projects that popularize the language in the country. We are talking about the construction of a new building of the State Russian Drama Theater named after A.S. Pushkin, the creation of the Russian-Turkmen University. Also, an important role in this direction will be played by the construction of a new building for primary classes of the Joint Russian-Turkmen School named after. A.S. Pushkin, the diplomat emphasized.

Programs in the humanitarian sphere will also contribute to strengthening bilateral cultural exchange, the ambassador said.

“We look forward to the implementation of the international project "Big Tour. Foreign Program" this year, within the framework of which the troupe of the State Academic Maly Theater will come to Ashgabat. It is also planned to organize tours of the Russian Academic Youth Theater,” Ivan Volynkin said.

It is planned that by the end of the year, the Ashgabat State Russian Drama Theater named after A.S. Pushkin will present its productions to the Russian audience. The specific dates and repertoire of the tour are now being discussed, the ambassador said.

He also stated that for the Russians it is of great interest to familiarize themselves with the traditional Turkmen culture rich in historical traditions. The creative circles of the Russian Federation intend to take part in the celebration of the Year of the great Magtymguly Fragi in 2024. The focus of cultural attention is the folk art of bakhshi, carpet weaving, breeding of the world-famous Akhal-Teke horses and Alabays.

“I am sure that we still have many common deeds and tasks ahead of us, important work in the interests of the prosperity of our fraternal peoples,” the Russian diplomat said.

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