In mid-February, the readers of ORIENT were asked to draw an analogy between the old and renewed Ashgabat.The photo quiz, timed to the 140th anniversary of the capital of Turkmenistan, supposed not only to guess places from archive photos, but also to search these places and even to take own photo at a place that was asked to guess.
The quiz attracted attention of more than 300 views.Even those, who once lived in Ashgabat and were passing through, tried to guess the avenues and streets of the white marble capital from the photos.
But, of course, first of all, the quiz was of special attention for indigenous people of Ashgabat.As it turned out, the older generation knows their hometown very well and can recognize the motives of the old buildings in the renewed space.
Every street, walk, alley and traffic intersection for the old-residents of Ashgabat references the memories that cause nostalgia on the young age. Today’s young Ashgabat residents also have their favorite places. Readers sent many letters to the editorial office with correct and incorrect answers; the three most active participants became the winners of the photo quiz.
The largest number of correct answers and photos from a given angle were sent by Karim Azizov, Aleksandra Filippova and Jerena Hodjamuradova. Having become the owners of commemorative prizes, the finalists shared their impressions of participating in the quiz.
“I started looking for ordered places on the very first day after I read the ad,” says Aleksandra Filippova. “I was fast to guess the intersection of Gerogly and Turkmenbashi streets, this was my first photo.
The rest was a bit complicated.For example, the Mahtumkuli Musical Theater, I believed it was always located at Gerogly Street.I had to look for information on the Internet, look through directories to make a small discovery for myself, and find out that the theater was previously located at Azadi Street.”
Aleksandra is a fan of active lifestyle. She often goes out with her friends outside the city, and one of her favorite places for walking is “The Path of Health” that lays along the Kopetdag Mountains.
Karim Azizov moved to Ashgabat in the early 70s.Having easily figured out the corners of the capital set by the quiz, he took all the necessary photos in one day.
Karim remembers that the Ashgabad River flowed along Hudayberdyev Street (now Av.Niyazov) .And once, in a kiosk next to the Mahtumkuli Musical Theater, he and his wife purchased lottery tickets, on prize money of which a mirror was bought that today is a family relic.
“Despite the fact that I know the capital very well, it was very interesting for me to participate in the photo quiz,” says Karim. “There were moments of doubt, one place I was not able to guess, while, in general, it was nice to remember the city of my youth, as I once knew it.”
A hiking lover, Jerena Hodjamuradova has been living in new buildings in Ashgabat since birth. Due to her young age, the girl could not remember the former face of the capital. She asked friends, relatives and parents for advice who told her amazing stories related to the life and development of her hometown.