President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov on Friday participated in the New Year celebration at the country's main New Year tree on the square in front of the Älem Cultural and Entertainment Center in Ashgabat, the country’s official media reports.
The celebration in the capital gathered high achieving students, winners of school subject competitions, sports and art contests, as well as children from orphanages.
On behalf of the young generation and all compatriots, the main symbols of the New Year holiday Ayaz Baba and Garpamyk, as well as children in costumes of symbols of the outgoing year - the tiger and the coming year of the Rabbit congratulate Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the New Year and thank him for his care for children, and for creating favorable conditions for their comprehensive harmonious development, quality education, physical and spiritual education.
Then the children invited the Turkmen President in a traditional circle dance around the New Year tree.
All children who participated in the celebration were given New Year's gifts. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov also took a photo with children at the Main New Year Tree of the country and then went to another New Year celebration site to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan. He attended the celebration with his children.
The festivity at the site also gathered high-ranking Turkmen government officials, who brought their children and grandchildren with them, and heads of foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Turkmenistan with their children.
The concert program included performances of theater and circus actors, dancing groups, children's creative teams and talented children of different ages, starting from kindergarteners.
On Thursday, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov cordially congratulated the government officials and in their person all Turkmen citizens on the coming New Year and wished them good health, family welfare and great successes in their work for the prosperity of the country.