To all the people of independent, permanently Neutral Turkmenistan

Dear compatriots! Honorable people!

I cordially congratulate you on the National Spring Festival — International Novruz Day, which is widely celebrated in our sovereign state. I firmly believe that the inspiring songs and music, literary and artistic performances, traditional events, exhibitions of fine and decorative-applied arts, and national values performed during this holiday in the year of "Independent, eternally Neutral Turkmenistan — the land of prosperity with the speed of a stallion" will be of great importance in widely promoting the achievements of our cultural heritage handed down to us by our glorious ancestors.

This year, our country widely celebrates the 35th anniversary of our sacred Independence. During the years of independence, our sovereign Motherland has strengthened politically, economically, and culturally, and the living standards of our people have increased. The great transformations initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag, have raised the prestige of our independent, eternally Neutral state in the international community to a high level.

Dear compatriots!

The traditions of Novruz are widely described in the works of such masters of the word as Magtymguly Pyragy, Mahmud Kashgari, Mahmud Gayyby, and Bayram Khan. In their works, our wise poets emphasized that Novruz strengthens friendship and brotherhood among peoples, cultivates good qualities in the human soul, and increases love for the Motherland, nature, and life. That is why in the modern era, the traditions of this ancient holiday have become a universal human value and a principle advocating peace and unity.

The traditions of the Novruz holiday have taken a worthy place in the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Based on the relevant Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, March 21 of each year was declared "International Novruz Day." Occupying a special place in the lifestyle of Eastern peoples, Novruz is a holiday of unity, peace, and brotherhood. The traditional events held during the Novruz holiday embody the principles of goodwill and humanism.

Honorable people!

Our brave ancestors associated the prosperity of the year with the auspicious arrival of Novruz — the abundant rains falling on the soil. The nourishing rains of early spring adorn our generous steppes, beautiful pastures, and sacred mountains with the unique beauty of the spring season. The bounty of our land increases, and colorful flowers and gardens add to the beauty of Turkmen nature. At the dawn of spring, inspired farmers work diligently in the fields to lay the foundation for a new harvest and obtain a bountiful crop from the fertile land. Continuing the ancient Turkmen traditions of gardening and farming, our hardworking farmers cultivate the soil nourished by the Novruz rains.

Today, in our Neutral state moving with the speed of a stallion, the songs and music performed by our bagshis and musicians, folklore and dance performances by creative groups, and poems recited by our poets during the National Spring Festival — International Novruz Day — resonate as Novruz melodies, inspiring our happy people to new heights.

Dear compatriots! Honorable people!

Once again, I sincerely congratulate you on the National Spring Festival — International Novruz Day. I wish you sound health, a peaceful and happy life. May the soul-stirring melodies of Novruz always resound as a tribute to unity and brotherhood!

President of Turkmenistan Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOV.