Theoretical and practical conference devoted to the Great Silk way and exhibition

The Great Silk way, which promoted development of trade and economic and cultural relations between the East and the West to a large extent, has begun in the central regions of China, lied through the Central and Western Asia and reached the Mediterranean. Venetian traveller Marco Polo was the first who named this area of caravan tracks “Silk way”. This is a system of the ways connecting the East with the West and the South with the North. The caravans, which began their way in China, should pass thousand kilometres to reach the Jeykhun (Amudatya), the large river of Asia. Having reached the Jeykhun river, they arrived to the city of Amul. Now ruins of this site of ancient settlement are located near Turkmenabat city.

Amul city was located at a crossroads of trade routes. Оne way lead from there to Afghanistan and India, and the other to Khorezm and Merv. The way from Merv to Amul passed through barely passable sands.

Merv was not onle one of the centres of Silk way and the place where gathered foreign tradespeople, but in Merv were also formed caravans and sent to the various countries. Caravans from Merv were led to Sarakhs, further to Nishapur, Abiverd, Nisa, Ferav and, at last, to Dekhistan. Then along the Caspian sea shore they reached Arab countries.

Dekhistan had constant close link with the provinces, which included major part of the land in the south–east of the Caspian sea. One of the international caravan ways, which connected Khorezm with Arab countries passed through Dekhistan.

The strong Parthian state was also located along the Great Silk way. This made it still more powerful.

In the exposition of the State museum of the State cultural centre of Turkmenistan we can also see values, which show the meaning of the Great Silk way. A lot of work is constantly carried out in this direction. On 2^nd of February 2018 here was carried out a theoretical and practical conference “The role of the Great Silk way in the history of Turkmenistan”. A theoretical and practical conference was opened by the manager of the State museum of the State cultural centre of Turkmenistan, candidate of historical science, Оvezmukhammet Mаmmetnurov, who greeted all the guests and told about the role of the Great Silk way in the history of Turkmenistan and a special exhibition connected with this conference. Then the floor was given to the manager of the State Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan Saparmammet Meredov with his report “Great Silk way in Fine Arts”, director of social sciences department of the International Oil and Gas University, professor Nuryagdy Sukhanov – “The main installations of development of Turkmen people at the new epoch in the book by the honourable President “Turkmenistan – heart of the Great Silk way”, research work pro–rector of the State Academy of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan, candidate of art history Nuryagdy Yagshymyradov – “The book by the President of Turkmenistan honourable Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov “Turkmenistan – heart of the Great Silk way” – the valuable historical source”, head of research department of the State Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan, candidate of architecture Oguljeren Khadjiyeva – “Great Silk way – way of peace and friendship”, head of department of the National education institute of Turkmenistan, candidate of biological science, associate professor Sapargeldy Durdyyev – “Role and meaning of the book by the honourable President “Turkmenistan – heart of the Great Silk way” in learning the glorious history of the Fatherland by the younger generation”, deputy director for organization and propaganda of the State Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan Jennet Karanova – “Role of art in the cultural relations of the Bronze Age”, head of department of the National institute of manuscripts of Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan Geldymurad Mukhammedov – “The scientist that lived in Nisa and Abiverd”, head of department of the institute of Archaeology and ethnography of Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan Agamurad Baltayev – “The way connecting ages and generations”, head of methodological department of the State Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan Myahri Atdayeva – “The top of the unusual beauty of Altyndepe culture”, senior research fellow of the institute of Archaeology and ethnography of Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan Kakadjan Bairamov – “Merv – an important city located at the crossroads of the Great Silk way”, senior research fellow of Magtymguly institute of Language and literature of Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan Akgozel Mukymova – “Turkmenistan –heart of the Great Silk way” – valuable source for learning heritage”, worker of the Central Science Library of Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan Gultach Kakayeva – “The ways that opened Turkmens for the world”, head of department of the State museum of the State cultural centre of Turkmenistan Enedjam Altyyeva – “Natural monuments of Turkmenistan located along the Great Silk way in the exposition of the State museum”, assistant professor of social sciences department of the State Academy of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan Yazgul Yusupova – “Culture of the powerful Turkmen state”, teacher of art history department of the State Academy of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan Jeren Baltayeva – “Great Silk way and art of metal working in Turkmenistan”, main specialist of culture and enlightener department of the State museum of the State cultural centre of Turkmenistan Ogulbagt Khodjalyyeva – “Legends in the book by the honourable President “Turkmenistan – heart of the Great Silk way””, assistant professor of art history department of the State Academy of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan Maya Jumanyyazova and a five–year student of the same department Merjen Orazgulyyeva – “The place of the Great Silk way in carpets of Turkmenistan”, five-year student of art history department of the State Academy of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan Bahar Magtymova – “Panegyric on the Great Silk way in the works of Turkmen jewellers”, a five–year student of art history department of the State Academy of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan Gozel Annayeva – “Turkmenistan on the Great Silk way”, a four-year student of art history department of the State Academy of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan Bagtygul Khodjageldyyevs “The Great Silk way - creation of architecture”.

Finishing theoretical and practical conference, the manager of the State museum of the State cultural centre of Turkmenistan Ovezmukhammet Mammetnurov, stated words of gratitude to participants for interesting and useful reports and wished successes in their work.

After the conference finished the participants acquainted the exhibition devoted to this action.