Discovering Turkmen Avant-Garde: Polish Art Experts Visit Turkmenistan
The Delegation of the European Union to Turkmenistan, together with the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, supported a cultural exchange visit by representatives of the Polish art community. Held from 29 to 31 October, the visit provided an opportunity to discover Turkmenistan’s rich artistic heritage, exchange knowledge and ideas, and explore opportunities for future cooperation between Polish and Turkmen cultural professionals.
On 29 October, Polish experts Joanna Mytkowska, Director of the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw, and art curator Magda Lipska, accompanied by Michal Greczylo, representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, visited the Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan. They explored the museum’s collections and learned more about Turkmenistan’s artistic traditions and the development of the Turkmen avant-garde.
Particular attention was given to the period from the early 1920s to the mid-1930s and to the artistic legacy of Ruvim Mazel, who co-founded the first art school (art studio) in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. This period marked an important chapter in the development of professional art education and modern artistic expression in the country.
On 30 October, the Polish delegation also met with representatives of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan to discuss strengthening cultural dialogue and future cooperation. The visit also laid the groundwork for potential participation of Turkmen art professionals in a 2027 international conference in Warsaw dedicated to the East avant-garde, as well as opportunities to showcase Turkmen avant-garde art at exhibitions across Europe.
Cultural exchange is an important part of the European Union’s engagement with Turkmenistan and helps bring societies closer together. By connecting curators and cultural institutions, the visit created new opportunities for dialogue and cooperation, while bringing Turkmenistan’s rich artistic heritage closer to European audiences.
