The international scientific conference “The contribution of the Turkmen poet, philosopher and thinker of the East Magtymguly Fragi to world literature” was held at the Library of Foreign Literature in Moscow.
The conference was attended by scientific and public figures, artists, representatives of the diplomatic corps, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture of Russia, the executive committee of the CIS.
Director General of the Library of Foreign Literature Pavel Kuzmin, who moderated the conference, said that the first works of Magtymguly in Russian began to be published in the 20s of the last century, translations by Mark Tarlovsky were published in 1941, and translations by Georgy Shengeli in 1944.
“And these works were read by the soldiers. Why was Magtymguly’s poetry chosen in those years? <..> Because there is love for the Motherland, patriotism,” he said.
Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Russian Federation Esen Aydogdyev addressed the audience. He noted that manuscripts of Magtymguly’s works and their copies dating from the 18th and 19th centuries are kept in collections not only in Turkmenistan, but also in St. Petersburg, Tashkent, London, Budapest and Istanbul.
“Now the poetry of Magtymguly Fragi sounds with renewed vigor, becoming a messenger of goodwill of the Turkmen people in developing friendly, good neighborly relations with the peoples of the world, strengthening international and humanitarian ties,” the Ambassador said.
Deputy Secretary General of the CIS Denis Trefilov delivered welcoming remarks from the CIS Executive Committee. He congratulated all Muslims on the advent of one of the main holidays of the Islamic calendar - Eid al-Fitr and wished peace and prosperity to those gathered.
“Philosophers and historians, composers and artists, ethnographers and literary scholars constantly turn to the source of Magtymguly’s immortal poetry. The poet's legacy is being studied by famous scientists from different countries. In the Commonwealth, we pay great attention to preserving a single cultural space, understanding that the basis of strong and friendly relations between countries is mutual respect for the culture, national traditions, and languages of our peoples,” Trefilov noted.
In addition to reports on Magtymguly’s work and his influence on world literature, the poet’s poems were also read. For example, Ambassador of Angola to Russia Augusto da Silva Cunha read the poem “Separation” in Portuguese.
Musical compositions inspired by the works of Magtymguly were presented by the famous couple of singer Daria and composer Mamed Guseynov, great popularizers of Turkmen culture in Russia, including at such a prominent venue as the Moscow International Arts Festival “Sounds of Dutar” named after Nury Halmamedov.
Today's conference was one of a large series of international activities and events dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Turkmen classic, which are taking place this year in different countries around the world.
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