The following article and picture materials have been provided by the Embassy of the Republic of Turkmenistan in Seoul for publication by The Korea Post media, publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean-language news publications since 1985.—Ed.

The international conference on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the birth of the classic of Turkmen literature, poet and philosopher Magtymguly Pyragy opened the events held in Seoul as part of the Culture Days of Turkmenistan.
The conference, organized at the site of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Korea, brought together representatives of government agencies, embassies accredited in the country, members of the scientific community, representatives of the Friendship Association between the Republic of Korea and the countries of Central Asia, as well as Turkmen students studying in Korean universities.

The Turkmen delegation was represented by the Deputy Minister of Culture of Turkmenistan H.E. Mr. Gurbanmyrat Myradalyyev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Korea H.E. Mr. Begench Durdyyev, Director of the Magtymguly Institute of Language, Literature and National Manuscripts of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan Mr. Davut Orazsahedov.
During the conference, presentations were made on the value of the poetic and philosophical heritage of the Turkmen classic. Currently, Turkmenistan is preparing to widely celebrate the anniversary year of the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly, announced by the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) «Year of the great poet and philosopher of the Turkic world Magtymguly Pyragy».
The forum participants were presented with poems by Magtymguly in Korean, and a video story about the life of the great poet was also shown.

ln addition, at the exhibition of fine and decorative arts organized in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the guests could be acquainted with the historical and cultural heritage and the results of the development of modern Turkmenistan. The stands presented elements of national clothing, carpet weaving, embroidery, jewellery and much more.
The final event of the first day of events was a gala concert, which featured performances by well-known creative teams of Turkmenistan, as well as Korean artists.
One of the highlights was the performance of the «Miras» folklore group, which performed the Turkmen national dance «kushtdepti», which is included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The Culture Days of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Korea was held until the 31st of March.