Yesterday the candle-lighting ceremony of the country’s main New Year’s tree took place in the Turkmen capital, traditionally preceding the events celebrating the arrival of the beloved and long-awaited, joyful, and kind holiday – the New Year.

According to tradition, the center of the festivities each year is the square in front of the Älem Cultural and Entertainment Center, located in one of the capital’s most picturesque corners – at the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains. The tallest green beauty stands here, and a fairytale town spreads out.

Thousands of young and adult participants – Ashgabat residents and visitors, folk and dance groups, circus and theater performers in carnival costumes, and fairytale characters – gathered around the resplendent evergreen queen in joyful anticipation of the spectacular show and magical performance. It is here that the magic of amazing adventures and discoveries begins for children, when cherished wishes and dreams are miraculously fulfilled at the wave of the wand of Ayaz Baba and his companion, Garpamyk.

Decorated with colorful balls, beads, firecrackers, sparkling tinsel, and garlands, this green beauty is a vibrant symbol of the coming year. During the New Year, this corner of the capital becomes the most visited spot for residents and visitors to the Turkmen capital.

The candle-lighting on the country’s Main Christmas Tree is a ceremony imbued with fairy-tale wonders and therefore demands a particularly creative approach from the holiday organizers. Therefore, each year, the route and cultural program for Ayaz Baba and Garpamyk are updated.

Today, Ayaz Baba and Garpamyk, riding in a convertible and accompanied by characters from the 12 symbols of the year and fairy tales in a New-Year-decorated bus, along with children, begin a festive procession from the Abadançylyk monument. They arrive at the Bitaraplyk monument, erected during the International Year of Peace and Trust in honor of the glorious 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. Here, at this symbol of peace and openness, Turkmenistan’s firm commitment to its unwavering principles, Ayaz Baba and her companions release white doves into the sky.

Then the friendly group headed to the Jahan Creative Center, where the festivities unfolded. Lively melodies and jokes played, young dancers captivated the audience with costumed skits, and young artists presented their drawings. Accompanying them were the fairy-tale characters Akpamyk and Ahmet.

The festive procession then proceeded to Arkadag city, located in the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains. From the recently opened modern bridge, everyone headed to the Akhan and Taýçanak monuments. From there, Ayaz Baba and Garpamyk proceeded to the Gorogly State Equestrian Circus, where musical performances were organized for the event participants. Circus performers, the Aman Gulmammedov State Drama Theater, and students from the Shukur Bakhshi Children’s Art School prepared a magical show with captivating numbers for the guests. Then, a colorful show featuring Ahalteke horses was organized at the Aba Annayev International Horse Breeding Academy.

The festive procession was greeted and seen off at each destination with wishes of well-being and happiness. Ayaz Baba and his friends then continued on their way to the capital – Ashgabat.

…The children, gathered around the Christmas tree erected in the square in front of the State Circus of Turkmenistan, joyfully greeted the friendly company. Thanks to Ayaz Baba’s magic staff, the New Year’s beauty lit up. Actors from the A.S. Pushkin State Russian Drama Theater, the State Circus, and creative groups from schools and universities delighted the honored guests with theatrical performances, while the children danced around the green tree, reciting cheerful poems, dancing, and singing.

…Then, Ayaz Baba and Garpamyk, accompanied by Ashyr Dyade and the young hosts of the Turkmen capital, continued their tour of Ashgabat, festively decorated for the New Year.

Finally, the caravan arrived at the Älem Cultural and Entertainment Center, where the country’s Main Christmas Tree is erected. Here, the approach of the New Year, shrouded in fairy-tale magic, is especially palpable. Accompanied by the ringing and cheerful songs of happy children, guests passed through the sparkling arch, and a vibrant carnival filled the square. Children dressed in animal costumes symbolizing the signs of the Eastern calendar welcomed Ayaz Baba and Garpamyk with joyful greetings. They were the first to dedicate their cheerful poems to the ruler of winter – the symbolic characters of the outgoing year 2025 and the coming year 2026.

Arrangements around trees and shrubs, decorated with light structures and multicolored bulbs, create the effect of the entire New Year’s ensemble floating in the air in the evening.

A magical performance unfolded around the evergreen queen of the holiday in an atmosphere of magic and mystery, featuring the capital’s theater groups, young artists, and popular pop singers.

On behalf of the young Turkmen citizens and participants in the New Year’s celebration, Ayaz Baba and Garpamyk extend heartfelt congratulations to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the people of Turkmenistan for the upcoming New Year 2026. They wish you happiness, health, and success in further implementing your ambitious endeavors for the well-being and prosperity of your country. They express their gratitude to the head of state for his tireless care for the younger generation and for creating conditions for their comprehensive development.

As is well known, the best indicator of a country’s prosperity is happy children. New, beautiful, modern schools, preschools, sports grounds and stadiums, and cultural and educational centers have been and continue to be built across the country, providing everything necessary to nurture the creative talents and gifts of young people.

The culmination of the merry New Year’s performance was the beautiful Christmas tree, which sparkled at the children’s request and the wave of Ayaz Baba’s magic staff.

At this moment, all the New Year’s trees erected in the main squares of our country’s cities and velayats also lit up with magical lights. Today, colorful performances are also taking place, poems and songs are being recited, and happy children are dancing in circles.

In memory of this unforgettable event, the children received gifts from President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, which was the best reward for the young Turkmen.

This wonderful, fairytale-like holiday will long be remembered by both adults and children. Numerous television viewers across the country witnessed the cheerful New Year’s celebration.