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ON NOW : Private Passions
Harriet Harman

Private Passions Michael Berkeley's guest is Shadow Deputy Prime Minister Harriet Harman.

Andy Kershaw

Image for Turkmenistan - Christmas in Ashgabat

Play now 105 mins

Turkmenistan - Christmas in Ashgabat

Duration:
1 hour, 45 minutes
First broadcast:
Sunday 25 December 2005

Turkmenistan is a curious, little-visited place where the months of the year are named after the President's family, beards are illegal, and there's a public holiday for the honeydew melon.

Andy substitutes his traditional seasonal fare for a glass of Presidential Vodka, a Christmas kebab, and a generous helping of Turkmen national folk music, in the first British documentary made inside one of the world's most autocratic states.

Music and featured items

44 items
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • Andy overlooks Turkmenistan.

    Andy Kershaw is at the top of a mountain overlooking the capital of Turkmenistan.

  • Music Played

    • 00:00

      Amenov Vepa/Rahmanov Guban Yar Otagynda

    • 00:01

      Chariyar Djumayev Menzar

    • 00:02

      Musicians from the Cultutal Centre of the Oil and Gas Complex of Turkmenistan, led by Hakberdy Allamuradov Oguzlar

  • The National Music Conservatory.

    Andy arrives at the Turkmen National Music Conservatory and is welcomed with gifts.

  • The national art gallery.

    Andy heads towards the national art gallery with the Ministry of Culture.

  • Music Played

    • 00:14

      Chariyar DjumayevKuwwat Annahalliyev Ghyr-At

  • Stuck in the hotel.

    Andy is in his hotel under advice not to go out by his government minders.

  • Music Played

    • 00:18

      Honour to Our President Folk Group Yara Yetir

  • Honour to our President.

    Andy meets the Director of a culture centre with a group called Honour to our President.

  • Music Played

    • 00:22

      Honour to Our President Folk Group Piala

  • “The Arch of Neutrality”.

    Andy is at “The Arch of Neutrality”, one of the most amazing monuments in the country.

  • Music Played

    • 00:30

      Musicians from the National Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan Reflections

  • The National Carpet Museum.

    Andy visits the National Carpet Museum next to his hotel.

  • Music Played

    • 00:33

      Children from the Danatar Ovezov Turkmen National Musical School A Piece based on the Verses of the President of Turkmenistan

    • 00:36

      Unknown performer from the Rukhabat District Department of Culture Gopuz

  • Contemporary national music.

    In search of some contemporary national music.

  • Music Played

    • 00:39

      DJ Begga Intro

    • 00:40

      Purmammedou Muhammet Yandym gyrk

  • Andy goes clubbing.

    Andy goes clubbing, an unofficial activity as club culture is considered to be un-Turkmen.

  • Music Played

    • 00:42

      Unknown Night Club background music

    • 00:46

      DJ Begga Yene-Yene

    • 00:49

      DJ Begga Turkmen Gelin Gyzlary

  • Andy is at the horse races.

    Andy is at the horse races at the national hippodrome.

  • Music Played

    • 00:56

      Musicians from the National Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan Untitled traditional tune

  • Andy at the Palace of Culture.

    Andy is at the Palace of Culture, and watches a display of folk dancing.

  • Music Played

    • 00:58

      Music group from the Rukhabat District Department of Culture Dispute

    • 00:59

      Girl's chorus from the Rukhabat District Department of Culture Lale Jonym

    • 01:01

      Music group from the Rukhabat District Department of Culture Loyalty

    • 01:02

      Dutar player from the Rukhabat District Department of Culture Horse Races

  • Turkmen television studios.

    Andy is on a tour of the Turkmen television studios.

  • Theatre of Music and Drama.

    Andy is at the new Turkmen National Theatre of Music and Drama to hear some pop music.

  • Music Played

    • 01:10

      Lachyn Mammedova Kusht Depdi

    • 01:18

      Akmyrad Nurberdiyev/Arslan Babayev Support (based on verses of the President)

  • Andy describes the architecture.

    Andy describes the extraordinary architecture and its celebration of the President.

  • Music Played

    • 01:24

      Chariyar Djumayev Menzar

    • 01:26
      Image for Ashkhabad

      Ashkhabad From the Station to the Mill

  • Andy meets a percussionist.

    Andy meets a percussionist at the Oil and Gas Museum of Turkmenistan.

  • Music Played

    • 01:28

      Musicians from the Cultutal Centre of the Oil and Gas Complex of Turkmenistan Rhythms of Independence

    • 01:32

      Musicians from the Cultutal Centre of the Oil and Gas Complex of Turkmenistan Oguzlar

  • Oil and gas reserves.

    Andy asks about the reserves of oil and gas in Turkmenistan and its trade.

  • Music Played

    • 01:36

      An unknown member of the Danatar Ovezov Turkmen National Musical School Gem Solo

  • Souvenir shopping in Ashgabat.

    Andy goes to a souvenir shopping in the Russian market in Ashgabat.

  • Music Played

    • 01:40

      Amenov Vepa/Rahmanov Guban Yar Otagynda

  • The main highway towards Ashgabat

    The main highway towards Ashgabat

  • One of many monuments to the President of Turkmenistan, the Turkmenbashy

    One of many monuments to the President of Turkmenistan, the Turkmenbashy

  • Andy at the 'Walk of Health',the mountains of Iran in the background

    Andy at the 'Walk of Health',the mountains of Iran in the background

  • Folk dancing at the Rukhabat District Department of Culture

    Folk dancing at the Rukhabat District Department of Culture

  • Andy with producer James Parkin at the Turkmen hat shop

    Andy with producer James Parkin at the Turkmen hat shop

Broadcasts

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