One can only theorize that he wanted all of the men of his country to follow suit and resemble him. In March 2014, 15,000 public health workers were dismissed from their roles. 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. Dont worry we wont send you spam or share your email address with anyone. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming First Secretary of the Ashgabat City Committee,[15] and First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Turkmen SSR in 1985. When he tried to quit, he instigated this ban so as to eliminate temptation from people smoking on the street. In 1998 Niyazov closed the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan. You see, in Turkmenistan, everything submits to the will of the leader; The birds do not sing, the sun does not rise, and the wind does not blow without his consent. Image: Stocksy #13. Former President of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov. This was a rule brought by President Saparmurat Niyazov who introduced subsidies for the people. The story goes that while Turkmenbashi attended a televised ceremony, he caught sight of a woman with a set of gold teeth, found it inappropriate, and publicly told her so. According to the state-run newspaper Neytralny Turkmenistan, the President has orderedhis Cabinet ministers to find a way to close theearthlygates of hell. Even the new job applicants in their interviews would be tested on the book. In Ashgabat, he erected a rotating, $12 million, golden statue of himself that always faces the sun. Smoking was prohibited in all public places and for all government employees. Also, dirty cars are not allowed. Turkmenbashi inhaled. Cigarette stands on every corner are a testment to that. Sabol, Steven. 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". Maybe it wasn't just lip syncing that Niyazov disliked, but just singing in general? On 13 January 1990, Niyazov became Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Turkmen SSR, the supreme legislative body in the republic. It was formerly known as Turkmenia. [59] Ethnic Russians in Turkmenistan were disproportionately targeted in the aftermath. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. A Turkmen could easily leave the gas on so as not to waste a match in the light later! If you are found guilty, you could face a lengthy prison sentence in very basic conditions. His presidency was characterised by an initial crumbling of the centralised Soviet model that in many respects was unsuited for a transition to smaller, separate, states. In 1970, Soviet scientists drilled for natural gas, but their devices accidentally fell into the abyss, causing a natural gas leak. Ashgabat holds the Guinness World Record for the most public pools in a single place. Seychelles, Sierra Leone . In Turkmenbashi`s time, utility prices were so low that bills for these services arrived every year. Prior to being moved to the village, Niyazov's body lay in state in an open coffin in the presidential palace from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Pilov is the staple diet of the people of Turkmenistan. When he's not writing for the blog you can keep up with his adventures on. In 2008, less than two years after Niyazov's death, the names of months and days of the week changed by Niyazov were restored,[90] and reference in the National Anthem of Turkmenistan to Niyazov was replaced with "the people". Previously, the government subsidized mortgages. Turkmenistan has not participated in any United Nations peacekeeping missions. 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. Though locals may plead ignorance or flat out deny that some of these laws ever existed, here's what we discovered about some of the more notable whacky entries conjured up by the former president, Sapmurat Niyazov (otherwise known as Turkmenbashi, Leader of all Turkmens). In late 2020, teachers in Turkmenabat, the country`s second largest city, were banned from dyeing their lighter hair. Find out about the Energy Bills Support Scheme, View a printable version of the whole guide, About Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice. [33][34] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan strongly denied allegations that the cut in pensions resulted in the deaths of many elderly Turkmens, accusing foreign media outlets of spreading "deliberately perverted" information on the issue. John Oliver laid it all out during Sunday's episode of Last Week Tonight. It's no wonder why Turkmenistan had the lowest life expectancy in all of Central Asia at the time. Which brings us to our next point. Ok, this gets a bit confusing, so bear with us. Check the full list here. It is remarkable to imagine that millions of years ago the country was covered by a sea. [67][68][69] Like Kim Il-sung, there is even a creation myth surrounding him. This one is still on the books but not enforced. Newly issued Turkmenistani manat banknotes did not feature his portrait. Through our stories, advisory, and speaking we are creating a movement of travelers and businesses who live at the intersection of adventure, meaningful travel, and caring for our planet and its people. Feb 06, 2014 1:28 PM. Turkmenistan under Turkmen Presidents Niyazov and Berdymuhamadov has. Students of all levels must adhere to a strict dress code. In May 2000, the government revoked all Internet licenses except for the state-owned Turkmen Telecom and in June 2001 shut down all Internet cafs. [94][95] Displaying and keeping the book alongside the Quran in mosques were also stopped, except in Trkmenbay Ruhy Mosque. Niyazov also ordered the closure of all libraries outside the capital, stating that the reason was that ordinary Turkmens did not read anyway. For these, and other reasons, the US government said that by the time he died, "Niyazov's personality cult had reached the dimensions of a state-imposed religion."[74]. While these laws are certainly strange, they don`t detract from Turkmenistan`s interesting history as a historic stopover along the Silk Road nor from the hospitality and warmth of the people who live there. Oh, Turkmenistan how we overlook thee. The Turkmen Embassy in Moscow later confirmed this report. The 10 Most Unbelievable Laws in Turkmenistan - YouTube Dictatorships aren't exactly known for their reasonable laws. It serves as a meeting point between East and West. In 1948, one of the world's deadliest earthquakes struck Turkmenistan. ASHGABAT IN THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS, A picture of capital city Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. People say that subsidized mortgages are also available to teachers and doctors, but I couldn`t find a teacher who would confirm this to me. Enter Turkmenbashi. Niyazov said: Let this humane act on the part of the state serve strengthening truly moral values of the Turkmen society. It`s just one of those strange Turkmen rules that only seem to make sense to its leader. You have accepted additional cookies. The geologistsdecided to light it upin the hope that it would burn out after a few days. In an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper, Niyazov claimed that Turkmenistan was able to process 85% of its domestic output. It's no wonder why Turkmenistan had the lowest life expectancy in all of Central Asia at the time. This one's true. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. By Ella Morton. Wed like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. The incumbent President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov was his successor and hasruled asthe dictator-President of Turkmenistan since then. 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]. Niyazov started quite early and joined the Communist Party in 1962. The crater burns continuously in the desert, creating the impression of the gates of hell. Sometimes, these laws border on the seriously ridiculous, and other times they point to important cultural values that might be different than your own. Among the figures who were arrested/purged were former Foreign Ministers Boris yhmyradow and Batyr Berdiew, as well as Major Begench Beknazarov of the Turkmen Ground Forces and Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Serdar Charyyarov. He gained this post after Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev had removed his predecessor, Muhammetnazar Gapurov, following a cotton-related scandal. In 2005, lip syncing was banned at concerts. According to the 2017 World Press Freedom Index, Turkmenistan ranked is 178th out of 180 with only North Korea and Eritrea below it. Actually, the President recently visited the site and drove doughtnuts around it! 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! Here are some that Saparmurat Niyazov has implemented. This is my advice[55]. This page was last edited on 30 April 2023, at 14:53. [79] Many mourners, including foreign delegations, passed by the coffin in a three-hour period. Keep your passport separately in a safe place. Niyazov ordered that all mountains and places in Turkmenistan be named after Turkmen heroes, poets and leaders. America's Strangest 15 Laws. When I mention Turkmenistan, often people look at me with a confused stare and then ask what it is a place, a city, what? Guinness World Records - Largest Indoor Ferris Wheel. All foreign visitors, with the exception of accredited diplomats, are charged a tourism tax of 2 US dollars for each day of their stay in Turkmenistan. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Fortunately, her diplomatic status saved her from fines and her car from the impound lot. They were given bones to gnaw to strengthen their teeth. [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. 6. Other laws were merely based on the whim of a president with full power and control. E INLED lo sa. Pensions received during the prior two years were ordered paid back to the state. However, next time you're trying to remember how to distinguish Turkmenistan, just think of these strange yet riveting facts about the country. As usual when I can't decide, I choose both. Weird laws in Florida. 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. This unique country holds the Guinness World Record for the largest indoor Ferris wheel in an architectural structure. [30] In February 2005 all hospitals outside Ashgabat were ordered closed, with the reasoning that the sick should come to the capital for treatment. Photo: Getty Images. [75][76] One month prior to his death, Niyazov had publicly announced that he had been taking heart medication for the past few years for an unidentified cardiac condition. A remarkable fact about the country is that it was home to a giant sea 30 million years ago. As per the newspaper, the Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan has been asked to gather scientists, and if necessary, foreign consultants, and find a way to extinguish the fire. Berdymuhamedov`s 100-foot tribute to cycling. 16. The country produces sweet, juicy melons, for which it has even created a special day. President Berdymukhamedov had visited the site in 2010, and back then too he had asked for the closure of the site. Originally from the U.S. Daniel has lived abroad since 2001 and most recently has been on the road since 2006. The Darvaza Gas Crater is also called "the Door to Hell". Why is he so memorable, you may ask? [60][61], The summer of 2004 saw a leaflet campaign in the capital, Agabat, calling for the overthrow and trial of Niyazov. Under Niyazov, the Turkmen Communist Party had a reputation as one of the most hardline and unreformed party organizations in the Soviet Union. Only men above 70 could keep a beard. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Oral sex is illegal. In 2008, President Berdymukhamedov added a new subsidy, of giving 120 litres of fuel to every individual every month. The Ferris wheel is 156 feet (47.60 m) tall, while its surrounding structure is 187 feet (57 m). 8) Thou shalt not bind thy daughter's feet. It is made in compounds of rice with chunks of meat, carrot, and spices, fried in a large pan or a cauldron. Turkmenistan is among the world's least visited destinations. 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. However, President Berdymukhamedov is now planning to close Hell's Gateciting negative effects on the environment. [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. You must smile in public in Idaho. In the years following independence, Turkmenistan invested heavily in plants and machinery in an attempt to convert it from being primarily a supplier of petroleum to a more advanced economy; such investments included oil refineries and a polyethylene plant. The Turkmen Supreme Soviet declared Turkmenistan independent and appointed Niyazov as the country's first president on 27 October 1991. Although the crater looks like a natural feature, it is a result of drilling by Soviet geologists in the early 1970s. Since 1993, the people of Turkmenistanhave been given free water, electricity and gas. TIL that in Turkmenistan, colors themselves are considered state enemies. If you have video suggestions, leave them in the comments. You should take care over public displays of affection. It is a cultural sign of appreciation for a family to offer guests a plate of plov whenever they visit. 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. Telpek, a large sheepskin hat worn by men is one of the signs of the nomadic tradition. In 2013, seven years after Niyazovs death, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov ordered the removal of Ruhnama from all public schools. However, it still exists, albeit in a non-rotating form, out in the suburbs of Ashgabat. No less idiosyncratic than its architecture, Turkmenistan's laws are the stuff of laughter and legend. One foreigner we spoke to confirmed that she recently received a firm reprimand from a policeman in Ashgabat because her car was a bit dusty. Here are 20 such weird facts about Turkmenistan: A complex visa regimen makesTurkmenistan one of the least visited countries in the world. The Darwaza Crater or The Hell's gate. Although it's been burning all this time, its future may be limited. Turkmenistan's Melons. Backpacking Through the Tikal ruins and Flores island in Guatemala, Why I spent 2 months in Rio Dulce despite scathing tourist reviews, Bom Caminho III: The Beauty of the Coastal Way, There's Always A Dog, Or Some Geese, Or Broken Glass, Bom Caminho II: The Rhythm of the Portuguese Way, Erongarcuaro: A Place of Waiting, Whipping, and Wandering, Bom Caminho I: Starting A Walk Across Portugal. [4] In 1999, the Assembly of Turkmenistan declared Niyazov President for Life of Turkmenistan. Mrs Tullieva, a 32-year-old laboratory technician, had been sent home from work because of her offending teeth, as universities, government departments and state-run companies humoured their . I love following your travels. He is the only President of Turkmenistan to die in office. He has over 14 years of experience in researching, informative writing, fact-checking, SEO & web design. 15. To give you an idea of just how strange things get, the episode culminates in Oliver presenting a record-breaking marble . Illustration: Seemon The progressive erosion of women`s rights conflicts with Turkmenistan`s Constitution, laws and international conventions, to which Turkmenistan is a signatory, including the 1997 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The statue stands till date and has not been removed by the incumbent President Berdymukhamedov. Swearing in public in St. Kitts could get you in hot water. The highest of all honours. Who knows what opportunities may knock with the passing of Turkmenbashi. The strange thing is that the rule similar to one in Tajikistan still exists. Good to know, right? In January 2018, the president banned black vehicles in the city because he associates black with bad luck. Saparmurat Niyazov of Turkmenistan is often cited as one of the world's most deranged dictators. https://bit.ly/3Fsk0qoHave you ever heard of ASHGABAT, TURKMENIS. We could talk all day about this amazing country in Asia. Girls are required to wear national clothing and tie their hair into braids, as well as the takhya national headgear. Police sometimes carry out checks of identity documents. His mother and two brothers were killed in the devastating 1948 Ashgabat earthquake. According to a law made in 1924, it is illegal for donkeys to sleep in bathtubs. The Turkmen people are descendents of the nomadic Oghuz tribe that moved into the region in the 7th century. Turkmenistan has the second-largest oil reserves in the former Soviet Union, generating high revenue for the state. We could go on all day about this amazing country in Asia. Young cant grow beards, no black cars, a record-breaking fascination for setting world records are some of the weirdfacts about Turkmenistan. In 2005, Nizayov flew to Moscow to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the war's end, and just days prior, he awarded Turkmen veterans of the war as well as Russian veterans on behalf of Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian veterans on behalf of Viktor Yushchenko. The doting actions of the official Turkmen media supported his cult of personality. Cars that are not white are forbidden from the streets of Ashgabat, the non-white vehicles taken from the owners as hostages and forcibly painted white no matter what. A dirty car offends the President, so all cars must be clean! And by 1985 he was already First . Carpets of Turkmenistan. Read More | Work With Us, Travel and life evangelist. For other uses, see, "Nyazow" redirects here. "Niyazov's dental crackdown is the latest in a series of follies and caprices . Enjoy these Turkmenistan facts that don't seem true, but strangely, they are. We were so close to a visit when we were in this area in 2018, but we were a little nervous about Turkmenistan and Tajikistan and were also running out of time. There is also a National Carpet Museum in Ashgabat with more than 1,000 carpets on display. One of the contentious laws outlaws gold teeth, opera, and spandex. 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. In 1962, Niyazov started his political career, becoming a member of the Communist Party. Turkmenistan under Turkmen Presidents Niyazov and Berdymuhamadov has experienced some crazy laws, and these here are the top 10 most unbelievable laws from Turkmenistan.Thanks for watching! 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. 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. Niyazov simultaneously cut funding to and partially disassembled the education system in the name of "reform", while injecting ideological indoctrination into it by requiring all schools to use his own book, the Ruhnama, as their primary text. Turkmenistan president Saparmurat Niyazov (1991-2006) passed unusual laws during his term in the pretext of preserving ancient Turkmen culture. It is popular across the entire country and is a must-have dish at every event from family picnics to weddings and social gatherings. Do everything you can to get it across the border, even if you have to push it or drag it. You`re wrong. [24], His father Atamyrat Nyazow's Red Army service was used to shape how the country celebrates Victory Day (9 May). Struggling For News In Turkmenistan", The World Factbook entry for Turkmenistan, "President of Turkmenistan closes hospitals, libraries and nature reserves", "Turkmenbashi, Crazy Dictator of Absurdistan", "Russian media outlets disseminate "deliberately perverted" information on republic's pension maintenance", "Turkmen leader pardons 8,145 thousand convicts", "Turkmenistan to set free 10056 prisoners", "Saparmurat Niyazov bans use of "phonograms" at concerts and TV programs", "Channel 4 News on the death of Turkmenbashi", "Turkmenistan bans converted left-hand-drive vehicle imports", "Saparmurat Niyazov - President of Turkmenistan", "TURKMEN LEADER SAPARMURAT NIYAZOV BANS CHEWING TOBACCO-PRODUCT "NAS" IN PUBLIC PLACES", "Turkmenistan lifts curtain on banned arts". Remember him, because we will be talking about him quite a bit. 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. No more than 2 packets of 20. ", in, Hiro, Dilip. Subsequent emergence of a fundamentally new compasses for society, politics and economics, the government has engaged in reforming the law and the legal system of the country. 17. At any time,. [64][65] Niyazov gave every citizen a watch with his portrait in its dial. During the drilling, their equipment, including heavy machines fell into the crater, and natural gas began escaping. In kitapcy.com. The Darwaza Crater or the Hells Gate as it is famously known, is not a natural phenomenon butthe result of a natural gas drilling expedition going horribly wrong. As a result, even today, people are still not used to saving electricity, water or gas. Dogs were banned from the capital due to their unappealing odor. Smoking was banned in all public places and for all government employees. His birthday is designated as a national day (not an official holiday), called "Turkmenbashy Remembrance Day". Missionary is the only legal sexual position. The official results showed that 99.9% of voters approved this proposal. Saudi Arabia. You should carry a copy of the details page of your passport at all times. You can import up to a maximum of 1.5 litres of alcohol. Turkmenistan is one of the most censored countries. After graduating, he went to study in Russia, but was expelled a few years later for academic failure.[1]. The geologists lit a fire imagining that it would burn for a couple of days. [11] According to the official version of his biography, his father, Atamyrat Nyazow, died in World War II fighting against Nazi Germany, while other sources contend that he dodged fighting and was therefore sentenced by a military court. The local horse breed of the Turkmenistan Akhal-Teke is also considered as one of the rarest and most beautiful in the world. . Niyazov believed that lip syncing was deterimental to the art of making music. SUBSCRIBE for More Travel Videos: http://bit.ly/2hyQnZ1 Get My Top 100 Travel Pics FREE! 17 Mind Blowing Facts About Mount Rushmore, 7 Conspiracies That Flat Earthers Believe Are True. . This ghastly looking grater covers an area of more than 5,000 km, and was intentionally set on fire back in the early '70s when the Soviet government thought that there was oil to be discovered underneath. Photo: Getty Images. Since 1993, thanks to Niyazov`s initiatives, all Turkmen citizens have had free access to gas, water and electricity. Turkmenbashi, Smiling Leader of Turkmenistan. From 1925-1991, it was part of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic, a constituent republic of the Soviet Union. The President of Turkmenistan visited the site in 2010 and ordered it to be filled in. The Arch of Neutrality, the rotating golden statue of Niyazov, was moved from downtown Ashgabat to the southern edge of the city on 26 August 2010. You can even be fined if you own a vehicle that is not painted white! Niyazov and his wife, Muza Melnikova, who was of Russian and Jewish descent, had a son (Murat) and a daughter (Irina).
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