Yelena Van Kharitonova, founder of the creative agency Caravan Cultura, has published an article in the European online journal Culturius, where she highlights the important topic of cultural and preventive diplomacy in Turkmenistan, which actively uses its neutral position to strengthen international relations. The article notes that Turkmenistan and its diplomatic mission in Brussels are actively promoting cooperation in the field of cultural and creative industries between Europe and Central Asia.

The Central Asian-European Creative Agency, founded by Van Kharitonova, intends to continue developing these areas and has outlined several major projects for 2025. Among them is participation in the CIVILASATIONS art fair in January 2025 with the exhibition "Turkmen Treasures Unveiled: A Journey through Ancient Jewelry, Tapestries, and Textiles," as well as a grand celebration of Nowruz jointly with the European Parliament and ENCATC (European Network for Cultural Management and Policy) in March 2025.

Furthermore, participation in Europe Day in May 2025 is planned, where traditional Turkmen costumes will be demonstrated, as well as the organization of a "peacekeeping" pavilion during Brussels Design September. All these events are aimed at strengthening Turkmenistan's position as a leader in cultural diplomacy and emphasizing the importance of peace and cooperation in the face of global challenges.

The author notes that these ambitious plans are aimed at promoting cultural diplomacy, especially in the context of current global conflicts, with the goal of uniting peoples and strengthening mutual understanding.

Below is the publication itself:

"My recently created Central Asian-European Creative Agency is working to recognize the central role of cultural and creative industries between Europe and Central Asia and promotes their potential as a “trust-based” and “equal” partnership, so necessary in our time! Turkmenistan is a leader in preventive and cultural diplomacy.

The Central Asian-European Creative Agency and the Embassy of Turkmenistan will join forces and collaborate in the coming year to contribute to the success story of this neutral status and its consequences! Next year is indeed the perfect time to do so, as Turkmenistan will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of this status, making significant efforts and utilizing culture as a leading force in promoting and understanding this remarkable status granted by the UN in 1995.

In January 2025, the Embassy of Turkmenistan, in cooperation with the Central Asian-European Creative Agency, MUSE Gallery, and Keshde Art Studio, will participate in the CIVILASATIONS art fair, where the exhibition "Turkmen Treasures Unveiled: A Journey through Ancient Jewelry, Tapestries, and Textiles" will be presented to demonstrate the rich heritage of Turkmenistan through a carefully curated collection that will highlight the world-renowned craftsmanship of Turkmen artisans, deeply rooted in the history of the Great Silk Road.

This exhibition will be located at the MUSE Gallery during BRAFA-2025, so all guests and visitors can come to the gallery and discover it for themselves!

In March 2025, a grand Nowruz celebration is planned jointly with ENCATC (the European Network for Cultural Management and Policy) and the European Parliament, where the convergence of preventive and cultural diplomacy will be widely discussed with relevant specialists from Europe and Turkmenistan! Experts from the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) in Ashgabat are expected to participate in this discussion".

It is planned to participate in Europe Day in May 2025 at the premises of EU institutions with an exhibition of traditional Turkmen costumes, as well as to organize a "peacekeeping" pavilion during Brussels Design September, utilizing design thinking and highlighting this theme at our next Central Asian European Creative Forum-2025 in September 2025, where the themes of preventive and cultural diplomacy will be central to our agenda.

These upcoming ambitious plans for events and activities will confirm the vital role of culture and cultural diplomacy, especially in times of global conflicts and tensions, in uniting people, strengthening mutual understanding and unity, and underlining the importance of peaceful justice”.

ORIENT