Turkmenabat: A statue of Turkmenbashi has been dismantled
Portrait of the new President, Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov
Photo: TIHR
[Full text] - "Last year our correspondent counted over 500 portraits and statues in Turkmenabat (once known as Chardjou) which is the center of the Lebap's velayat.
"Yet, the epoch of Turkmenbashi is over. The Beyik (Great) Turkmenbashi Statue near the astrakhan factory which is located in the outskirts of Turkmenabat has been already dismantled. Presently, numerous sculptures of S.Niyazov at more than 200 municipal organizations and establishments are waiting to be removed.
"Certainly, neither municipal authorities nor the administration of the astrakhan factory would ever presume to dismantle the Niyazov's statue. It seems that the order has been given from the higher authority.
"Prior to that, in this town as well as in other large populated localities the amount of Turkmenbashi's portraits in the streets has been noticeably decreased. Some of them were simply removed while others were already replaced by the portraits of the new President. Thus, according to the people residing in Turkmenabat, dismantling of statues and removing of Niyazov's portraits demonstrates not the end of the personality cult but a steady trend of establishing a new cult." [End text.]
When I first read this article I was dismayed. But, after giving it careful thought, it may be premature to overreact. Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, as far as I can tell, is adhering to the Ruhnama in most areas of government and the country seems to be marching along towards the Golden Age quite well under his leadership. The Ruhnama continues to be taught in schools; the forestation program established by Turkmenbashy is still being pursued; construction of Turkmen Lake continues unabated in the desert. And, all things considered, President Berdymukhammedov's portrait was placed alongside the Ruhnama in the above photo.
Turkmenbashy writes:
"The essence of the nation lies in its perception of the world. All the material and spiritual wealth, language, religion, culture, state and society of the nation are founded on this essence... The Ruhnama brings the national perception into a system and organization. From now on, the national future of the Turkmens will be completely guaranteed in practice."
Ruhnama, Book I, p. 394.
(English hardcover edition)
So, what's with dismantling some of Turkmenbashy's statues and removing some portraits?
Well, I guess it all depends on how you interpret it. The new president, by featuring his image alongside the Ruhnama, could be indicating that he is now the torch bearer - that he (as Turkmenbashy's successor) is the person who will shape Turkmenistan in the Golden Age.
This may well be the case.
