The fifth day of the Culture Week was marked with a concert “Küşt Depip, Gazal Aýdyp” given by folk and dance ensembles from across the country in the Culture House in Anau, Akhal velayat.
The main aim of the event is to popularize the traditional art of singing and dancing, Kushtdepdi, inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
That same day, the State Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan hosted a scientific conference and art exhibition, and the Folk Theater from Kaakhka etrap gave a performance at the Culture House in the village of Gyami, Ak Bugday etrap, Akhal velayat.
This year’s Culture Week celebrates the 10th anniversary on June 27, 2008 Turkmen opera saw its rebirth. The opera Şasenem we Garyp was the first to return to the theaters’ repertoire, followed by the operas Leýli we Mejnun, Zöhre we Tahyr, Görogly, Magtymguly, Ýusup-Züleýha, Aýna, Saýatly Hemra, and Ruhubelentler.
The opera Hüýrlukga-Hemra was today premiered in honor of Cultural Workers, Artists and Magtymguly Fragi’s Poetry Day.
Performed by the Magtymguly National Drama and Music Theater, the production is based on the namesake lyric dastan (epic poem) Hüýrlukga-Hemra.The opera, which puts specific emphasis on the folk-style performance of arias, as opposed to the academic style, boasts great musical exquisiteness, deep expressiveness, national color, and is infused with sincere feelings.
It is easily understandable and offers an enjoyable experience both to keen opera lovers and someone fairly new to opera.
It has become a good tradition to invite not only professional performers, but also students of performing arts institutions across the country to perform in such big cultural events. Young singers successfully performed the leading roles, and opera stars brilliantly contributed to the love story of the two young sweethearts, having showcased their extraordinary talent to the full.
The new large-scale production requires large stage facilities and has massive choral and dance scenes. The multipurpose movable scenery also dramatically highlights the dynamics of the on-stage action.
With the opening chords, the music performed by the State Symphony Orchestra mesmerizes an audience and creates the enchanting fairytale-like atmosphere.
The opera’s opening scene takes place in the palace of Hysrow Shah, who wants to own a beautifully singing nightingale from the Garden of Eden.The singers’ sonorous voices fascinate the listeners, rhythmic drum sounds make their hearts beat in unison and the violins deeply touch their souls.
The flowing folk melodies concentrate attention of the audience on the story.
The singers successfully conveyed the distinctive characteristics of the Turkmen people’s national mentality and character, their fidelity to their principles and sincerity in their actions with the special emphasis on the continuity of traditions, understanding of universal values, such as love, loyalty, and honor.
This makes the opera Hüýrlukga-Hemra absolutely invaluable not only in terms of cultural significance, but also in the context of the rising generation’s education.