Preparations for the celebration of the Day of Neutrality, which is scheduled to be held on 12 December, are underway in Turkmenistan. President Gurbanguly Berdymukahmmedov charged Deputy Prime Minister overseeing culture and mass media Bakhargul Abdyeva and the heads of the provinces with the task of organizing festive events in this connection.
Public sector employees are traditionally forcibly involved in such celebrations.
Healthcare practitioners, teaching staff of secondary schools and kindergartens, employees of banks and other state-run organizations on a daily basis head to the stadium or the Olympic village at 3 p.m., where rehearsals to various performances are held.
Only a few staff members are left at work places, who are obliged to perform job responsibilities of those who were sent to take part in chare (large-scale celebrations).
There is an acute shortage of personnel in hospitals where patients who seek medical assistance are either sent home and are informed that the medical doctors they need are out of office or the patient has to wait for an appointment for a few hours.
Students attend rehearsals after classes. They are discontent that due to constant participation in various events they have no time left for their studies. Students of the Institute of Engineering and Transport Communications (formerly, the Institute of Public Utilities), located in Bezmain, complain that they come back home only at 9 or 10 p.m.
— No dormitories are provided for the third and fourth year students.We have to find accommodation on our own.We have trouble even having a proper meal, let alone doing course papers and other assignments.
Moreover, we had to chip in and pay 50 manats each to buy flowers, a third year student from the Mechanical and Engineering Department told a correspondent of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan”.
Public sector employees were also obliged to make money contributions of 100 manats to purchase various decorations for the festivities.
Radio “Azatlyk” has previously reported Ashgabat students have to contribute 1200 manats (which equals an average monthly salary) to purchase identical suits, which they are supposed to wear at the New Year’s festivities.