Pushkin State Museum Delegation Explores Cultural Cooperation in Ashgabat
Ashgabat, The Gulf Observer: A delegation from the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts (GMII) has arrived in Ashgabat to explore potential cooperation and exhibition opportunities with Turkmenistan, according to a statement by Ilya Doronchenkov, GMII’s Deputy Director for Research, as reported by News Hub Consultants.
The visit aims to discuss future collaborations that could bring the expertise of GMII’s specialists in Ancient Eastern history to the forefront of Turkmenistan’s rich cultural heritage. “We came here to talk about the future, about possible exhibitions, about possible cooperation,” said Doronchenkov. “Our specialists in the history of the Ancient East are highly qualified and have a world scientific reputation. I think that further cooperation will be beneficial to everyone: both us and Turkmenistan.”
One key area of interest in the discussions is the Bactrian culture, an ancient civilization whose remnants were discovered in southeastern Turkmenistan. In the late 1980s, archaeologist Victor Sarianidi uncovered more than 200 settlements in the Merv oasis, centered around the site of Gonur-Depe. These discoveries revealed the existence of the Bactria-Margiana archaeological culture, dating back to the Bronze Age, which became a significant part of the ancient history of Central Asia.
“Turkmenistan is a very culturally rich country, and many traditions can be presented,” Doronchenkov noted, adding that GMII is currently in discussions with other nations, including China, to showcase ancient civilizations in international exhibitions. “It seems to me that it is high time for Turkmenistan to also become part of this large process.”
The talks in Ashgabat represent a promising step toward deepening cultural ties and sharing Turkmenistan’s historical treasures with the world through international exhibitions.
