National Games — National Heritage: The Turkmen Spirit Resonated in Istanbul
From April 28 to 30, 2026, the "Turkic World Children's Games Festival" was held for the first time in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye. Children from the "Döwletliler Köşgi" Palace in Ashgabat and education sector employees actively participated as representatives of Turkmenistan.
The festival, organized by the Ministry of National Education of Türkiye with the support of the Organization of Turkic States, aimed to:
- Spread the national games of Turkic peoples, which date back millennia, to the world;
- Strengthen ties of friendship and brotherhood among children;
- Teach common historical and cultural roots to the younger generation.
The main celebrations took place at the historic Rami Library in Istanbul (an 18th-century building). Authentic Turkmen culture was brought to life in and around the Turkmen white yurt (Ak Öý) set up for the festival:
- Exhibitions: Handicrafts, national instruments, cultural values, and books.
- Cuisine: The most delicious dishes of Turkmen national cuisine were offered to guests.
- Music: Expertly prepared performances by the children, such as "Küştdepdi," "Ýelpeselendi," and "Garaşsyzlyk Bagynda," left a great impression on the participants.
The students of "Döwletliler Köşgi" masterfully demonstrated several types of Turkmen national games. Among them, the following drew significant interest:
- Active Games: Chilik, jumping for the scarf (ýaglyga towusdy), ayterek-gunterek, blind man's buff (gözdaňdy), the shepherd and the wolf.
- Skill and Manual Games: Yuzukbukdy, duzzum, bashdash.
- Knucklebones (Ashyk) Games: Jikge-tukge, uchem.
Education professionals provided detailed information on how these games are not just entertainment, but also play a vital educational role in raising a child as a spiritually and physically mature individual.
During the three days, the children did not only play games but also toured historical and beautiful sites of Istanbul. These tours helped children from different countries become friends and broaden their horizons. The fact that the Turkmenistan pavilion became one of the most crowded and interesting spots was another testament to the international interest in Turkmen culture.
