[70][71], During Niyazov's presidency there was no freedom of the press nor was there freedom of speech. You must smile in public in Idaho. Kids in Turkmenistan get to horse training centres at a young age to become horse trainers. In late 2020, teachers in Turkmenabat, the country`s second largest city, were banned from dyeing their lighter hair. However, many police are using the law and people's ignorance of the details to fine anyone with an extremely filthy car, even if the license plate can be seen just fine. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. The strange thing is that the rule similar to one in Tajikistan still exists. Saparmurat Niyazov was the President of Turkmenistan from 1991-2006. Although reliable numbers are not readily available, it is estimated that less than 15,000 people visit the country annually. Photo: IGOR SASIN / AFP Nice contribution. A Turkmen could easily leave the gas on so as not to waste a match in the light later! Police sometimes carry out checks of identity documents. Turkmenistan Laws: What's Real and What's Urban Myth? - Uncornered Market Turkmenistan has no ties to NATO or the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). [91] By that year, the old Constitution of Turkmenistan, adopted during Niyazov's presidency and codifying Niyazov's primacy, was replaced, and the government launched a democratization program. In 1970, Soviet scientists drilled for natural gas, but their devices accidentally fell into the abyss, causing a natural gas leak. The President of Turkmenistan visited the site in 2010 and ordered it to be filled in. Girls are required to wear national clothing and tie their hair into braids, as well as the takhya national headgear. People have a certain way of explaining almost every process in their lives. President of Turkmenistan - Wikipedia That was more than 50 years ago and the fire is yet to be put out. He was first secretary of the Turkmen Communist Party from 1985 until 1991 and supported the 1991 Soviet coup attempt. [4] In 1999, the Assembly of Turkmenistan declared Niyazov President for Life of Turkmenistan. Social laws, which mostly apply to women, are stern. According to some reports, he felt presenters should "appear natural" on-screen. However, Ataew was arrested on 21 December 2006 and Berdimuhamedow was subsequently named acting president. Larger than any law, it illuminates the path of the Turkmen like the sun. Melons of Turkmenistan are famous all throughout the region. However, the rule of no public smoking is enforced. Photo: Drew Binsky Youtube video. Dont include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. On the afternoon of 21 December 2006, Turkmen state television announced that President Saparmurat Niyazov had died of a sudden heart attack in the early morning hours at around 01:10 local time at his residence, the Turkmenbashy Palace, age 66. It was not changed or repealed by Berdymukhamedov. renaming Turkmen months and days of the week, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Turkmen SSR, Turkmenistani presidential election of 1992, renaming of months, as well as most of the days of the week, 22nd Motor Rifle Division "Atamyrat Niyazov", Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashy Military Institute, http://kitapcy.com/news/ocmejek_sohrat/2020-05-09-61, "Turkmenistan Fact Sheet, Government & Politics President", "Interesting Histories: Saparmurat Niyazov The Real General Aladeen", BBC News, "Turkmen go back to old calendar", 24 April 2008, "Rural population (% of total population): Turkmenistan", BBC News, "Turkmen leader closes hospitals", 1 March 2005, "It's a Gas: Funny Business in the Turkmen-Ukraine Gas Trade", "Golden Statues and Mother Bread: The Bizarre Legacy of Turkmenistan's Former Dictator", "Central Asian Republics: Presidents' Biographies", "The Turkmen Economy: Challenges and Opportunities", Turkmen Leader Names New Oil And Gas Minister, "Saparmurat Niyazov raps local governors for failures in cotton harvest", "Saparmurat Niyazov dismisses grain products association chairman", "List of holidays and commemorative days approved in Turkmenistan", "World War II -- 60 Years After: For Some Central Asians, 'Great Patriotic War' Is More Controversial Than Ever", "TURKMEN ARMY UNITS NAMED AFTER PROMINENT GENERALS | Turkmenistan.ru", "Turkmenistan. It is so hard to legally get to the county that smuggling cartels are a better option for many. Fortunately, her diplomatic status saved her from fines and her car from the impound lot. Not Turkmenistan. According to the 2017 World Press Freedom Index, Turkmenistan ranked is 178th out of 180 with only North Korea and Eritrea below it. Geologists decided to turn it on, hoping it would burn after a few days. Because Niyazov named no successor prior to his death, according to the law of the Constitution of Turkmenistan, wezgeldi Ataew, the Chairman of the Assembly, would assume the presidency. Failure to do this would lead to the destruction of the mosque. Niyazov supported the Soviet coup attempt of 1991. Unfortunately for barbers, all Turkmens we spoke to indicated to us that this rule was myth. Rapper 50 Cent found out the hard way this small Caribbean nation takes public swearing seriously. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com, 10 Unique And Interesting Facts About Turkmenistan, 8 Interesting And Unique Facts About Somalia, 10 Interesting And Unique Facts About Samoa, 10 Interesting And Unique Facts About Botswana, 10 Unique And Interesting Facts About Uzbekistan. At any time, you wont see tourists in high numbers in the country. In 2017, the World Press Freedom Index ranked 178th of 180 countries, just below Eritrea and North Korea. Dictatorships aren't exactly known for their reasonable laws. For some time, Turkmenistan has been able to boast of having virtually free public services. Prior to this achievement, it was in the Guinness Book for having the worlds tallest flagpole (133 m), the largest fountain complex, largest architectural image and largest Ferris wheel in an enclosed architectural design. Some of these laws were rationalized under the premise of trying to preserve traditional Turkmen culture. 17 Mind Blowing Facts About Mount Rushmore, 7 Conspiracies That Flat Earthers Believe Are True. The book is supposed to orbit earth for the next 150 years. Besides the opera, he also banned ballet and, famously, the circus. In 1948, one of the world's deadliest earthquakes struck Turkmenistan. In 2006, a 42-year-old postman from Saitama Prefecture was arrested for putting chocolate ice cream inside a mailbox. He outlawed opera, ballet, circuses and philharmonic orchestras in 2001 for being "decidedly unturkmen-like". Last Updated on February 17, 2018 by Audrey Scott. He banned news reporters and presenters from wearing makeup on television. One of the reasons why the countrysees a low number of visitors is also because for a long time, the country was closed to the outside world. Turkmen media referred to him using the title, His Excellency Saparmurat Trkmenbay, President of Turkmenistan and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers. Phone: +993 (12) 44-56-92; Fax: +993 (12) 44-58-12; Reception: +993 (12) 44-56-87; Press service: +993 (12) 44-56-04; 744000, Ashgabat, Archabil av., 108 Gulnara Dzhumayeva, a politician with multiple portfolios in education, culture, health care and sports, reportedly told teachers that you don`t become Russian anyway [by lightening your hair]. Darwaza Crater, or Hell`s Gates as it is famous, is not a natural phenomenon, but the result of a natural gas drilling expedition gone horribly wrong. 2023 The Fact Network Ltd | All Rights Reserved. The full independence of Turkmenistan was recognised by a UN General Assembly resolution "The permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan" of 12 December 1995. No more than 2 packets of 20 cigarettes per person, 2 cigars and 2 packets of loose tobacco not weighing more than 2 packets of cigarettes can be imported. ASHGABAT IN THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS, A picture of capital city Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. His birthday is designated as a national day (not an official holiday), called "Turkmenbashy Remembrance Day". In May 2000, the government revoked all Internet licenses except for the state-owned Turkmen Telecom and in June 2001 shut down all Internet cafs. Turkmen State University even had a "Department of the Holy Ruhnama of Turkmenbashy, the Great", and Ruhnama Studies were pursued as a major research agenda in the country, often at the cost of academic disciplines. President for Life, Saparmurat Niyazov implemented many laws throughout his reign, here are just a few: In February 2004 men were banned from having long hair or beards. Since 1993, thanks to Niyazov`s initiatives, all Turkmen citizens have had free access to gas, water and electricity. Theroux, Paul. Point to note: Turkmenistan has a record-setting inclination towards setting Guinness records and regularly invites folks from the record-keepers to make a note of the newest record set by the country. A prayer took place before the burial, with the chief mufti reading Jyn Aza. In fact, taming of horses is one of the most respected jobs in the country. Nearly half a century later, the fire is still burning. On 28 December 1999, Parliament declared Niyazov President for Life; parliamentary elections had been held a few weeks earlier for which the president had hand-picked all candidates. While Saudi Arabia has recently took down their curtains and huddled with the rest of the world, the country is still deeply rooted in laws that stemmed from religion and tradition. Carpets of Turkmenistan. Niyazov ordered that all mountains and places in Turkmenistan be named after Turkmen heroes, poets and leaders. [28] By 2005, there were 36,000 Internet users in Turkmenistan, representing 0.7% of the population. After all, Berdymuhamedov is the initiator and inspiration of the new renaissance and global reforms; May God give him the strength and strength to carry a nation of 5.3 million Turkmen on his shoulders! It serves as a meeting point between East and West. No one that we spoke to could provide confirmation of weddings being raided by the attendance police. 10 Countries With The Strictest Laws In The World As a result, in 2005 Turkmenistan would downgrade its links with the Commonwealth of Independent States becoming only an associate member under article 8 of the CIS charter, as such it would not participate in any of the military structures of the CIS. Top 15 Strangest Laws in the United States - Zippia One of the most bizarre laws from the incumbent President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov is that you cannot have black cars in the capital city, Ashgabat. Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov (Russian: ; Turkmen: Saparmyrat Ataewi Nyazow; 19 February 1940 - 21 December 2006), also known as Trkmenbay, was a Turkmen politician who ruled Turkmenistan as a dictator from 1985 until his death in 2006. Golden Statues and Mother Bread: The Bizarre Legacy of Turkmenistan's Former Dictator. Other laws were merely based on the whim of a president with full power and control. [92] By 2011, Berdimuhamedow's government rescinded the requirement to pass a secondary-school examination on the book[93] and in 2014, it was finally declared that Turkmenistani universities would no longer test applicants on their knowledge of the book. [94][95] Displaying and keeping the book alongside the Quran in mosques were also stopped, except in Trkmenbay Ruhy Mosque. This Central Asian country between Kazakhstan, Iran and a vast desert has been ruled for 15 years by a dictator with really bizarre laws. Niyazov had two children, both of whom have maintained distance from politics after their father's death.[98]. President Berdymukhamedov is obsessed with Akhal-Teke horses. As for the reasoning behind the make-up ban, anyone's guess is as good as one another's apparently he believed that news reporter should look "natural". The Turkmen Supreme Soviet declared Turkmenistan independent and appointed Niyazov as the country's first president on 27 October 1991. What's true and what's Turkmenbashi urban myth? However, Saparmurat Niyazov has remained a celebrated figure in Turkmenistan. Several places still bear his name, including the city of Turkmenbashy and the nearby town of Turkmenbashy, as well as several villages. Niyazov put the revival of Turkmen culture as one of the top priorities in Turkmenistan's development. That is, you could register for a mortgage and half of it would be covered by the state. 15 Weird and Crazy Laws Around the World This was because it was decided that everyone should come to the capital for treatment. While the buildings are very well-kept, they are often empty and give the impression of a ghost town. Lots of wacky laws have been written over the years, and they were all written for a reason. Photo: Getty Images. "[9], Under his rule, Turkmenistan had the lowest life expectancy in Central Asia. Check the full list here. The melons of Turkmenistan are so sweet and revered that they are recognized by a national holiday. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel. During his reign, which ended in 2006, he cultivated a cult of personality, and did many things in his time that were questionable to say the least. One of the drivers of the Aston Martin Tokyo-to-London team was fined $100 by the Turkmen highway militsia for smoking in his own car. And remember: having a criminal record is definitely not cool if you're a man over 40. Let the entire world know that there has never been a place for evil and violence on the blessed Turkmen soil. In Turkmenbashi`s time, utility prices were so low that bills for these services arrived every year. The country produces sweet, juicy melons, for which it has even created a special day. Turkmenistan tops the list with North Korea in terms of strange dictatorships. and talks with Tajik opposition leader. . Actually, the President recently visited the site and drove doughtnuts around it! If you are found guilty, you could face a lengthy prison sentence in very basic conditions. UPDATE: Researching the Turkmenistan Legal System At any time,. He was arrested after swearing on stage during a performance. Saparmurat Niyazov, former president of Turkmenistan, has left quite 20. Homosexuality is still very much disapproved of socially. That was switched to be named after Niyazov's mother. In December 2020, the Ashgabat government adopted its National Gender Action Plan 2021-2025, which purportedly aims to improve standards at the national and local levels, including in the areas of health care, education, and the empowerment of women and girls. [79] As he was buried, the national anthem was played accompanied by a 21-gun salute, symbolizing the number of years during which he was in power.[81]. m. (34,875 sq. It is the second largest land-locked country in Central Asia next to Kazakhstan; andTurkmenistan'scapital and largest city, Ashgabat, sharesits southern border with Iran. The story goes that while Turkmenbashi attended a televised ceremony, he caught sight of a woman with a set of gold teeth, found it inappropriate, and publicly told her so. . Turkmenistan has the second-largest oil reserves in the former Soviet Union, generating high revenue for the state. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. If you have video suggestions, leave them in the comments. You may be wondering if the Turkmen president is crazy? We were so close to a visit when we were in this area in 2018, but we were a little nervous about Turkmenistan and Tajikistan and were also running out of time. The Karakum Desert, or Black Sand in the Turkic languages, occupies 70% of Turkmenistan, or 135,135 square miles (350,000 km). [7] He made it mandatory to read the Ruhnama in schools, universities and governmental organizations, new governmental employees were tested on the book at job interviews and an exam on its teachings was a part of the driving test in Turkmenistan. Every second Sunday in the month of August is celebrated as the National Melon Day by the people. Although apparently not explicitly against the law, gold teeth did fall out of favor with Turkmenistan's elite during the era of Turkmenbashi. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com, Unbelievable Facts About Turkmenistan, the Dystopian Dictatorship You Haven't Heard Of, Top 10 Unbelievable Places In The World That Anyone Can Visit, 10 Unique And Interesting Facts About Turkmenistan. Copyright 2023, Uncornered Market. Turkmenistan's media constantly doted on the president and helped build his cult of personality. [26] Today the 22nd Motor Rifle Division "Atamyrat Niyazov" deployed in Serdar carries his name.[27]. Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov (Russian: ; Turkmen: Saparmyrat Ataewi Nyazow[a]; 19 February 1940 21 December 2006), also known as Trkmenbay[b], was a Turkmen politician who ruled Turkmenistan as a dictator from 1985 until his death in 2006. April? Struggling For News In Turkmenistan", The World Factbook entry for Turkmenistan, "President of Turkmenistan closes hospitals, libraries and nature reserves", "Turkmenbashi, Crazy Dictator of Absurdistan", "Russian media outlets disseminate "deliberately perverted" information on republic's pension maintenance", "Turkmen leader pardons 8,145 thousand convicts", "Turkmenistan to set free 10056 prisoners", "Saparmurat Niyazov bans use of "phonograms" at concerts and TV programs", "Channel 4 News on the death of Turkmenbashi", "Turkmenistan bans converted left-hand-drive vehicle imports", "Saparmurat Niyazov - President of Turkmenistan", "TURKMEN LEADER SAPARMURAT NIYAZOV BANS CHEWING TOBACCO-PRODUCT "NAS" IN PUBLIC PLACES", "Turkmenistan lifts curtain on banned arts". Turkmenistan was ruled by a dictator and President for Life, Saparmurat Niyazov between 1991 and 2006. It is against the law to smoke outside in Turkmenistan; this law extends to restaurants and other communal spaces (unless they contain a designated smoking area). During his rule, Niyazov created a strong cult of personality around himself, which resembled the one around the Kim dynasty in North Korea. [3] His self-given title Turkmenbashy, meaning Head of the Turkmen, referred to his position as the founder and president of the Association of Turkmens of the World. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In 2012, the country had an average of 8,900 visitors annually, which makes it one of the least explored countries in Central Asia. In an attempt to burn off the excess gas, Soviet engineers set it alight in 1971, estimating that it would take a few weeks to burn off. [5][6] He promoted a cult of personality around himself and imposed his personal eccentricities upon the country, such as renaming Turkmen months and days of the week to references of his autobiography the Ruhnama. Today we are going to look at 20 facts about this little unknown country. Laws of Turkmenistan It's illegal to skateboard without a skateboarding license. In kitapcy.com. The Turkmen can also be sensitive about pictures being taken in the Teke, Russian and Tolkuchka bazaars in Ashgabat. [57], On 25 November 2002, Niyazov's motorcade was fired upon at about 7 a.m. in downtown Ashgabat as he was traveling to his office from his official residence in Arshabil. There was outside concern about press freedom and to a lesser extent religious rights of minority religious groups. The statue was designed to rotate so that sun would be shining on his likeness at all times of the day. Now that you know the strange laws that are made in the country, here are some interesting facts about Turkmenistan. However, be sure never to do it in Louisiana. One of the contentious laws outlaws gold teeth, opera, and spandex. Some statues and portraits placed around the country were also removed. This one's true. During the drilling, their equipment, including heavy machines fell into the crater, and natural gas began escaping. His presidency was characterised by an initial crumbling of the centralised Soviet model that in many respects was unsuited for a transition to smaller, separate, states. Gurbansoltan Eje was named in honor of Niyazov's mother, and Serdar ("leader" in Turkmen) referred to Niyazov himself. Niyazov said: Let this humane act on the part of the state serve strengthening truly moral values of the Turkmen society. He also granted official human rights to the people, though they were not respected in practice with his government being criticised as one of the worst human rights violators in the world. Swearing in public in St. Kitts could get you in hot water. 2. Well send you a link to a feedback form. In 2008, President Berdymukhamedov added a new subsidy, of giving 120 litres of fuel to every individual every month. This wonderful land is with a lot of quirks, but it`s also a place you probably didn`t know much about before reading this article. During a sunny day, the city center shines glamorously due to the white marble. Turkmenistan is a country in central Asia, with a population of just under six million and plentiful gas reserves. [80] The Turkmen Air Force patrolled the funeral cortege as part of the farewell of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan. In 1962, Niyazov started his political career, becoming a member of the Communist Party. The garment is made of sheepskin and is worn on the head to resemble a turban. He grew up in a Soviet orphanage before the state put him in the custody of a distant relative. However, Turkmenistan is also no stranger to bizarre behavior from its political powers. In many respects, Niyazov's cultural ideas and changes were most visible to external viewers. Here are 20 such weird facts about Turkmenistan: 1. Turkmenistan Facts | Weird Laws & Bizarre Architecture - Unusual Turkmenistan under Turkmen Presidents Niyazov and Berdymuhamadov has experienced some crazy laws, and these here are the top 10 most unbelievable laws from Turkmenistan.Thanks for watching! THE ONLY NEUTRAL COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, Indian PM Narendra Modi met Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov in July 2015. Cigarette stands on every corner are a testment to that. The government has used central planning, such as state control of production and procurement, direct bank credits with low interest rates, exchange rate restrictions, and price controls, since it existed as a Republic within the USSR.[18].
