ASHGABAT -- A book about the life of Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov was presented today at Turkmenistan's parliament, RFE/RL's Turkmen Service reports.
"The Grandson Who Makes Grandfather's Dream Come True," written by Tachmammet Jurdekov, is dedicated to Berdymukhammedov's life and achievements.
The presentation was attended by parliament deputies, representatives of public organizations, academics, journalists, teachers, and university students.
State media called the book's publication a "remarkable" event in the "social, political, and cultural life of Turkmenistan." A Turkmen official said the book spotlights Berdymukhammedov's activities and aims to strengthen the "democratic foundation" of the country and its "international prestige."
The book was released on December 14 prior to the opening ceremony of the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline, which state media described as "the grandiose project of the third millennium."
Berdymukhammedov has led the country since December 2006 after President Saparmurat Niyazov died.