Correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” report that residents of Garabekovul, Khalach, Amudarya and other towns in Lebap velayat were prevented by deputy khyakims overseeing culture from organizing large-scale events on the occasion of Nowruz.
Neighbours and colleagues usually celebrate this holiday together: they cook sumalyak (a dish made from germinated wheat cooked for almost 24 hours) and other dishes, make fires (the holiday has been celebrated since the times of fire-worshipper or even earlier), install seesaws, play music and dance.
It is not clear whether the ban for celebrations is related to the COVID-19 prevention measures or other reasons. The official celebrations in front of the white yurt had been held as scheduled.
However, not all residents of the region were informed of the ban. For instance, in Chardjou etrap residents had been celebrating the holiday until the police stopped “the unauthorized event”.
In the village of Balykchy, Jeihun and Araplar of the agricultural association of Jeihun as well as the villages of the agricultural associations of Lebap and Khadzhiev, the police detained and fined intoxicated residents or those discontented with the actions of law enforcement officers.
For instance, administrative detention was imposed on three residents of the village of Balykchi whereas a 68 year old man from the agricultural association of Lebap was fined for 250 manats for “failure to obey law enforcement officers”.
When the police dispersed the residents shouting “Who permitted the celebrations?”, an elderly man replied: “It is the police who should show us the document prohibiting the celebrations, we are not supposed to show you permission”.
This is a public holiday, which is celebrated internationally!” The next day he was summoned to the police department where a fine was imposed on him.The post Residents of Lebap velayat barred from organizing large-scale Nowruz celebrations for unknown reason first appeared on Chronicles of Turkmenistan.