WNAM REPORT: The birthday of the eminent Scottish poet and folklorist Robert Burns, celebrated on January 25, is a national holiday in Scotland.
On this occasion, the British Embassy in Turkmenistan for the first time in Ashgabat organized a gala evening dedicated to the celebration of Robert Burns’ birthday. The event was attended by representatives of Turkmenistan’s government agencies, members of international organizations and diplomats.
As reported , Ambassador Stephen Conlon noted that the great Turkmen poet Magtymguly Fragi played a vital role in shaping the identity of the Turkmen people, and his legacy continues to inspire many generations. Similarly, Robert Burns had a significant influence on Scottish culture and is a significant figure not only in Scotland but also beyond its borders.
Deputy Minister of Culture of Turkmenistan Nursahat Shirimov also emphasized that constructive cooperation in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres is actively developing between Turkmenistan and Great Britain. Thus, in May 2024, events dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the birth of Makhtumkuli Fragi were held in London. The publication of Robert Burns’ poems translated into Turkmen is being prepared for publication in the magazine “Dünýä edebiýaty”, N. Shirimov noted.
The evening continued with a reading of Burns’s poems and a performance of Scottish Ceilidh dances.
The guests were also treated to the national Scottish dish, haggis. Robert Burns, a great connoisseur of Scottish traditions, dedicated an ode to this dish, praising it as a symbol of national culture and the embodiment of the Scottish spirit. In his poems, haggis is presented not only as a simple meal, but as a true art that can unite people and create a festive atmosphere.
