On 17 September the opening ceremony of the V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games was held in Ashgabat.
“Chronicles of Turkmenistan” has previously reported that the spectators were selected in August from among public sector employees. One of the selection criteria for successful candidates was their “clear” family history.
Candidates were required to present a three generation genealogy certificate (uch-arjamaglumat).
Any who have family members who had committed a crime or who arouse suspicion were prevented from being involved in the crowd scenes.
Sources at “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” report that a total of about 40 thousand people were selected as spectators.They were warned not only to be present at the opening and closing ceremonies but also to attend the sports contests.
There was a surplus of people to replace those who for some reason are unable to participate in the events.
Despite the fact that rehearsals started at 2 p.m.and lasted until midnight, the spectators were obliged to convene at 8 a.m.There were rigid requirements regarding the dress code: females are obliged to wear national dress whereas men need to wear white shirts, black trousers and ties.
At that moment we paid attention to lighting during the opening ceremony which was broadcast live.
Mobile phones are forbidden. No meals are provided but to bring water or food is not permitted.
During short breaks people rush to a small market in the residential district MIR-1 to buy food from the local “fast food” outlets, including pies, samosa and other pastries.
There is a shortage of available seating in cafes, and during the lunch break people from the crowd scenes have to sit on benches, stairs or on the pavement curbs which run along from the stadium to the bazaar.
During rehearsals people from the crowd scenes are taught to applaud to a rhythm and simultaneously chant “Arkadaga Shokhrat!” (Long live Arkadag!).
Apart from public sector employees, conscripts doing their military service are also involved in the rehearsals. They are transported to the Olympic village in buses. The conscripts, wearing sportswear, are placed at the ends of each row. The soldiers applaud and shout loudly and serve as cheerleaders who guide the other participants in the crowd scenes.
The script for the opening and closing ceremonies is kept strictly confidential.However, it appears that the new song by the President, “Yadymda” (translated as “I remember”), which he authored with his grandchildren during the holidays in Avaza, will be performed.
In fact, this song is most frequently performed during rehearsals by all participants of the crowd scenes. During choir practice, organizers walk along the rows to make sure people sing well. If even the slightest errors are spotted, the singing is interrupted and is started all over again.
According to some unconfirmed sources, Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov will personally perform the song. Officially the head of the state has not yet presented the song, but the lyrics would perfectly match the AIMAG closing ceremony.