After Niyazov's death, his successor as president, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, began to remove some eccentric features of Niyazov's personality cult. All Rights Reserved, 80 per cent desert and the life of Turkmen, As per the record, the city has 543 white marble buildings covering an area of 4.5 million square metres. Actually, the President recently visited the site and drove doughtnuts around it! Moreover, there is also a carpet on the national flag of Turkmenistan. Up to 2014, this also included the vehicles. 3. Thank you for sharing your adventures. [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. In the year 2002, Niyazov decided that every day of the month and week would be renamed after his family members. Turkmenbashi, Smiling Leader of Turkmenistan. Copyright 2023 India Today Group. Speaking of cities, their capital city is bizarre and made out of marble Many buildings in Ashgabat are reminiscent of old Soviet blocks, except made of marble. During the drilling, their equipment, including heavy machines fell into the crater, and natural gas began escaping. Strange weird snapshot photo wild hula dances wild beach holiday - eBay One of the contentious laws outlaws gold teeth, opera, and spandex. "Turkmenbashi and his Turkmenistan". Gurbansoltan Eje was named in honor of Niyazov's mother, and Serdar ("leader" in Turkmen) referred to Niyazov himself. One of the contentious laws outlaws gold teeth, opera, and spandex. You have rejected additional cookies. 2023 The Fact Network Ltd | All Rights Reserved. Photo: Getty Images. A man in Zhengzhou was forbidden from naming his newborn son "@" because of the rule stating that all given names must be translatable into Mandarin. January? The following year, in 2014, the current president of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, declared that all Turkmen universities would no longer test their students for their knowledge of Ruhnama.It that the strange laws in Turkmenistan would end. 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. My first ever encounter with Turkmenistan was a weird one. Feb 06, 2014 1:28 PM. The Mayor of Pocatello jokingly passed this law following a severe winter back in 1948, which dampened the morale of city employees and citizens alike. Sofia, Bulgaria, Tel: 00359 32585000 However, President Berdymukhamedov is now planning to close Hell's Gateciting negative effects on the environment. During a sunny day, the city center shines glamorously due to the white marble. July 1983 officially saw the hottest day in Turkmenistan and the Soviet Union it was recorded at the Repetek Reserve at 122 F. Turkmenistan has the 6th largest oil and natural gas reserves in the world. The month September was also named after his book Ruhnama. Oh, Turkmenistan how we overlook thee. Via Emil Delavele 18 A 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 However, it still exists, albeit in a non-rotating form, out in the suburbs of Ashgabat. Here are 20 such weird facts about Turkmenistan: 1. Given that there is an abundance of natural gas in Turkmenistan, people never switch off the gas. 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! Although the crater looks like a natural feature, it is a result of drilling by Soviet geologists in the early 1970s. It's no wonder why Turkmenistan had the lowest life expectancy in all of Central Asia at the time. In 2006, a 42-year-old postman from Saitama Prefecture was arrested for putting chocolate ice cream inside a mailbox. No one that we spoke to could provide confirmation of weddings being raided by the attendance police. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This page was last edited on 30 April 2023, at 14:53. Melons of Turkmenistan are famous all throughout the region. Swearing in public in St. Kitts could get you in hot water. Berdymuhamedov`s 100-foot tribute to cycling. Previously, the government subsidized mortgages. The Turkmen Agricultural University is named after him, as is the Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashy Military Institute. Plov is the favorite dish in the country. [58] Critics claim the government staged the attempt in order to crack down on mounting domestic and foreign political opposition. We could talk all day about this amazing country in Asia. [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. A difficult visa process is one of the reasons behind the low numbers. UPDATE: Researching the Turkmenistan Legal System Yes, you read that correctly. [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. In 2013, seven years after Niyazov`s death, Ruhnama was finally removed from public schools in Turkmenistan. Lots of wacky laws have been written over the years, and they were all written for a reason. Check before taking photographs near potentially sensitive sites such as airports, military barracks, police stations, government buildings, embassies and the Presidential Palace. These names were later abolished by his successor Berdymukhamedov in April 2008. The roads provide an in-depth history of the role of the region during the Silk Road era between the early 8th and late 13th centuries. New York: Overlook Press, 2009. p227. Golden Statues and Mother Bread: The Bizarre Legacy of Turkmenistan's Former Dictator. Niyazov had two children, both of whom have maintained distance from politics after their father's death.[98]. Even the new job applicants in their interviews would be tested on the book. 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. He was arrested after swearing on stage during a performance. E INLED lo sa. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. Cigarette stands on every corner are a testment to that. 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. The presidents passed other laws just because he had the power to do so; for example, he named the days of the week after his immediate family members. But if you`re looking for a place off the beaten path where few travelers have been before you, this is definitely the place for you. Who knows what opportunities may knock with the passing of Turkmenbashi. In 1998, President for Life Niyazov ordered the construction of a "monument to neutrality" at the cost of $12 million dollars. Let the entire world know that there has never been a place for evil and violence on the blessed Turkmen soil. They were given bones to gnaw to strengthen their teeth. He outlawed opera, ballet, circuses and philharmonic orchestras in 2001 for being "decidedly unturkmen-like". In March 2014, 15,000 public health workers were dismissed from their roles. Here's the scoop on Turkmenistan's laws and rules based on our peek inside the country. What's true and what's Turkmenbashi urban myth? Turkmenistan is among the world's least visited destinations. TIL that in Turkmenistan, colors themselves are considered state enemies. . Why Are the Cayman Islands an Offshore Financial Haven? This meant that anyone living in rural areas had to travel across the country to get medical care (which is vaguely the size of California). Oral sex is illegal. He kindly sent her to his favorite dentist, the Minister of Health (now president), to have her gold teeth replaced with a white enamel set. Illustration: Seemon. Global Witness, a London-based human rights organisation, reported that money under Niyazov's control and held overseas may be in excess of US$3 billion, of which between $1.8$2.6 billion was allegedly situated in the Foreign Exchange Reserve Fund at Deutsche Bank in Germany. He made the book mandatory to be studied in schools, universities and government offices. His renaming of months, as well as most of the days of the week, to Turkmen heroes, poets, historical events,[22] family members and himself was an unexpected development. No more than 2 packets of 20. 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]. Theroux, Paul. [1], Niyazov was buried in his ready prepared tomb in Kipchak Mosque on 24 December at his home village of Gypjak, approximately 7 kilometres (4.3mi) west of Ashgabat. He renamed the town of Janga and city of Krasnovodsk after his nickname Trkmenbay, and renamed schools, airports, Ashgabat streets, and even a meteorite after himself and members of his family. 15 Weird and Crazy Laws Around the World Turkmenistan: What Life Is Like Inside Secretive Dictatorship Niyazov continued the old practice of demanding yearly quotas in agricultural output, and then blaming and/or sacking deputy ministers when quotas were not met. The Latin Turkmen alphabet consists of: Aa, Bb, , Dd, Ee, , Ff, Gg, Hh, Ii, Jj, , Kk, Ll, Mm, Nn, , Oo, , Pp, Rr, Ss, , Tt, Uu, , Ww, Yy, , Zz.[17]. There is also a National Carpet Museum in Ashgabat with more than 1,000 carpets on display. Good to know, right? 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). Last Updated on February 17, 2018 by Audrey Scott. 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. Niyazov himself had short hair and was clean shaven. 19. His mother and two brothers were killed in the devastating 1948 Ashgabat earthquake. About 70% of the state is covered by hot and dry climate including the expansive Karakum Desert. Turkmenistan has not participated in any United Nations peacekeeping missions. On 13 January 1990, Niyazov became Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Turkmen SSR, the supreme legislative body in the republic. Outside of Hell`s Gate, the country has one of the weirdest sets of rules and living conditions for its people. The country has a population of about 5.6 million, making it one of the least populous and sparsely populated states in Asia. 27 interesting facts about Turkmenistan - The Facts Institute 9 fascinating facts about Turkmenistan - G Adventures Girls are required to wear national clothing and tie their hair into braids, as well as the takhya national headgear. For many in the west, it's hard to keep the countries of Central Asia straight, no matter how fascinating and unique each one may be. Former President of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov. The book is supposed to orbit earth for the next 150 years. He banned men from having long hair or beards, banned opera, banned city dogs, and even renamed the days and months of the year after his family members. Although it's been burning all this time, its future may be limited. [26] Today the 22nd Motor Rifle Division "Atamyrat Niyazov" deployed in Serdar carries his name.[27]. Local laws and customs - Turkmenistan travel advice - GOV.UK Do everything you can to get it across the border, even if you have to push it or drag it. Niyazov supported the Soviet coup attempt of 1991. 17 Mind Blowing Facts About Mount Rushmore, 7 Conspiracies That Flat Earthers Believe Are True. President of Turkmenistan - Wikipedia According to the newspaper Neytralny Turkmenistan physicians were ordered to swear an oath to the President, replacing the Hippocratic Oath.[63]. The following is reprinted from Uncle John's Curiously Compelling Bathroom Reader. There remain sensitivities around relationships between foreign men and local women, and the Turkmen authorities are known to take action against both. It is remarkable to imagine that millions of years ago the country was covered by a sea. He has over 14 years of experience in researching, informative writing, fact-checking, SEO & web design. Originally from the U.S. Daniel has lived abroad since 2001 and most recently has been on the road since 2006. Niyazov said: Let this humane act on the part of the state serve strengthening truly moral values of the Turkmen society. The cap is designed in such a way that it maintains a stable body temperature in scorching summers or cold winter nights of the desert. Interesting to note that every person gets 25 kilowatt of electricity, 50 cubic metres of natural gas, and 250 litres of water every month. 5. [77], The circumstances of Niyazov's death have been surrounded by some media speculation. After all, it's hard to forget about a place once you know what goes on behind closed doors. For example, September was renamed Ruhnama in honour of the book written by Niyazov (which he finished writing on 19 September 2001). Some historians believe that over one million people were killed. In 2016, 6,000 tourists visited Turkmenistan. 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. Turkmenistan is a country in central Asia, with a population of just under six million and plentiful gas reserves. You`re wrong. Constitution Constitution of Turkmenistan external link (University of Texas at Arlington) in English Executive President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Judicial COURTS: Supreme Court Legislative PARLIAMENT: Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) FAOLEX: Turkmenistan external link (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) database of national laws and regulations on . Nearly half a century later, the fire is still burning. In 2013,Turkmenistan'scapital city Ashgabat entered the Guinness Book of World Records for having the highest number of white marble buildings in the city. The 47 Weirdest Laws from Around the World Best Life While the three-legged statue seemed to have enough grandeur on its own, what really drove the point home was a gold 39 foot statue at the top of the tower of - you guessed it - Niyazov himself. This further meant that opposition to Niyazov was strictly forbidden and major opposition figures have been imprisoned, institutionalized, deported, or they have fled the country, and their family members are routinely harassed by the authorities. Dogs were banned from the capital because of their unattractive smell. His mother, Gurbansoltan Eje, was part of the cult of personality later. Seychelles, Sierra Leone . Many of the ordinary citizens wept dramatically as they walked, some even clinging to the coffin and fainting. Which brings us to our next point. Ok, this gets a bit confusing, so bear with us. John Oliver laid it all out during Sunday's episode of Last Week Tonight. here are a few of Turkmenbashi's laws and decrees: No lip syncing at public concerts (it has a negative effect on musical . In 2006 the European Commission and the international trade committee of the European Parliament voted to grant Turkmenistan "most favoured nation" trading status with the European Union, widely seen as motivated by interest in natural gas, after Niyazov announced he would enter a "human rights dialogue" with the EU. The national anthem of Turkmenistan referred to him. The country came into existence in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union. Sellers declare the item's customs value and must comply with customs declaration laws. THE ONLY NEUTRAL COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, Indian PM Narendra Modi met Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov in July 2015. "[9], Under his rule, Turkmenistan had the lowest life expectancy in Central Asia. [37] In 2006 Turkmenistan set free 10,056 prisoners, including 253 foreign nationals from 11 countries. While he was at it, he changed the "Hippocratch Oath" to the "President's Oath". 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. In 1995, all 185 members voted for Turkmenistan to remain neutral and in celebrationof this, an olive branch was added to the flag. The official results showed that 99.9% of voters approved this proposal. He gained this post after Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev had removed his predecessor, Muhammetnazar Gapurov, following a cotton-related scandal. Some of the first strange laws that were introduced occurred under Turkmenistan`s first president, Saparmurat Niyazov. It is so hard to legally get to the county that smuggling cartels are a better option for many. Among his actions after naming himself Turkmenbashi (Leader of All Ethnic Turkmen) and declaring himself president of Turkmenistan for life after the Soviet Union fell apart in 1991, Niyazov set out to create a new image for his country of five million by quite literally making it in his own image. Turkmenistan is a sovereign state in Central Asia. Contact us. Drivers will be fined for splashing pedestrians with rainwater Image credit: @iarjunphotography The autocrat even got the book launched in space, in August 2005, so that the book could conquer space as well. A major element of the original constitution was permanent neutrality, which was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1995. Dogs were banned from the capital due to their unappealing odor. Smoking was banned in all public places and for all government employees. 20 bizarre facts about Turkmenistan, the world's weirdest - dailyO 2. It's not the only wackadoodle law that still exists in the States. There are no laws in Turkmenistan; There is only the will of the Fhrer. Do you think you have seen all the strange laws of Turkmenistan? 7) Thou shalt not name thy children strangely. However, Saparmurat Niyazov has remained a celebrated figure in Turkmenistan. Police sometimes carry out checks of identity documents. Turkmen laws now seem normal to the people who live there, but they are still a little strange to those of us who don`t. In kitapcy.com. Now that you know the strange laws that are made in the country, here are some interesting facts about Turkmenistan. However, if you have a legal issue with the video uploaded, please contact me first in order to resolve the problem quickly, swiftly and easily. John Oliver's deep dive into the president of Turkmenistan - Mashable Connecting people to experiences that will change their lives. [citation needed], Niyazov became a substitute for the vacuum left by the downfall of the communist system, with his image replacing those of Marx and Lenin. 10 Unique And Interesting Facts About Turkmenistan Well send you a link to a feedback form. Craziest Dictator Ever: Turkmenbashi - Neatorama For the city in Daoguz Province, see. 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. In fact, taming of horses is one of the most respected jobs in the country. Photo: Getty Images. It's not like Turkmen women have a propensity to wear spandex anyway. According to a law made in 1924, it is illegal for donkeys to sleep in bathtubs. The Darvaza Gas Crater is also called "the Door to Hell". He loves them so much that his office has only one prominent motif all over the furniture - yes, horses. He then studied at the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute, where in 1967 he received a diploma as an electrical engineer. Could you imagine enforcing this law in the U.Sor India? The Craziest Dictators In Human History - All That's Interesting In 1998 Niyazov closed the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan. He also ordered that each broadcast begin with a pledge that the broadcaster's tongue would shrivel if he/she slanders the country, flag, and/or president. No doubt the law was on the books (or in someone's book, or maybe on Turkmenbashi's palm), but it was never enforced. The city of Kerki was renamed for his father, and city of ylanly for his mother. If you have video suggestions, leave them in the comments. In 1970, Soviet scientists drilled for natural gas, but their devices accidentally fell into the abyss, causing a natural gas leak. The new names came into effect with the introduction of a new labor law which stated that "the dates of professional holidays are specified by decrees of the President of Turkmenistan". Hotels include the tax as a separate item on guests hotel bills. However, most of its area is inhospitable to plant and animal life. No, that's "Leader of Turkmen" month. [20][21] Nevertheless, Turkmenistan had an emergent period during which there was heavy investment in plant and machinery so the country could change from a producer of raw cotton to a cotton processor. This was part of a publicity stunt in response to death hoax rumors. Copyright 2023, Uncornered Market. The desert landscape is the prominent feature in Turkmenistan. 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. 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