On August 15, 2025, a soplemn Turkmen-Russian concert entitled “Music of Peace, Music of Friendship and Brotherhood” was held in the Rachmaninov Hall of the Moscow State Conservatory named after P.I.Tchaikovsky, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the 30th anniversary of the permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan, as well as the proclamation of 2025 as the “International Year of Peace and Trust”.

The musical performance held within the framework of the XIX International Music Festival “Gathering Friends” was organized by the Scientific and Creative Center “Musical Cultures of the World” with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Russian Federation and the Foundation “Sounds of Dutar”. The author of the project is the founder and art director of the annual Moscow International Festival of Turkmen Classical Music “Sounds of Dutar” named after N.Halmammedov, composer M. Guseinov.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the diplomatic corps accredited in Moscow, heads and employees of higher education institutions, representatives of the Russian creative and scientific intelligentsia, numerous residents and guests of Moscow, as well as representatives of the media.

Turkmen artists, whose skills have already captivated listeners from all over the world, arrived in the Russian capital to perform at the concert.

The concert program was preceded by a fascinating lecture by famous musicologists and teachers. The guests were addressed by E.Osipova, PhD in Art History, Associate Professor of the Department of Music Theory at the M. Kulieva Turkmen National Conservatory, and E.Volkov, Russian conductor, choirmaster, senior lecturer at the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS). The lecture immersed the audience in the context of cultural ties and became a kind of prologue to the musical program of the concert.

In his welcoming address, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Russian Federation E. Aydogdyev emphasized that, being an integral part of the policy of positive neutrality implemented under the leadership of the President of Turkmenistan, cultural diplomacy symbolizes the triumph of peace, friendship, mutual understanding, high goals and principles of humanism, unites peoples in the name of a bright future.

Director of the UN Information Centre in Moscow V.Kuznetsov noted that the United Nations “is convinced that art in general and music in particular are capable of uniting nations, inspiring people, breaking down racial and political barriers, counteracting discrimination and smoothing over conflicts”.

Acting Rector of the Moscow State Conservatory named after P.I. Tchaikovsky, Doctor of Art History, Honored Artist of Russia, Professor A. Sokolov wished in his speech: “Let this image [of Shukur-bahshi], reflecting the desire for peace, unite the musicians and listeners of the concert!”

The President of the Russian Academy of Arts, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation V.Tsereteli in his greeting also emphasized that the title of the concert is deeply symbolic, and its timeliness is due to both the 80th anniversary of the Victory and the proclamation of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust.

The program of the gala concert included vocal and instrumental works by N.Halmammedov, Ch.Nurymov, V.Bogdanov-Berezovsky, A.Mosolov, M.Weinberg, K.Volkov, M.Guseinov, as well as Turkmen and Russian folk works. Beautiful songs and compositions performed together were dedicated to peace, friendship, brotherhood and unity. The audience greeted one work after another with stormy applause.

An exhibition was also held in the foyer of the concert hall, which featured books and works by master painters.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan