ASHGABAT -- Turkmenistan celebrated the life and work of prominent 18th-century poet and philosopher Magtymguly Pyragy on the country's Day of Revival and Unity on May 18, RFE/RL's Turkmen Service reports.
Magtymguly was born in the Etrek Valley of what is now northern Iran.
He is famous for ideas about uniting Turkmen tribes and hoped for a common state for all Turkmen.
Scientists, poets, and writers from Turkmenistan and other countries met at the third-annual international conference of Magtymguly in Gonbed Gabus, Iran, on May 17.
Juma Buresh, an ethnic Turkmen from Iran, told RFE/RL that he is concerned that the Turkmen minority in Iran is not allowed to study in its native language, despite having such a right in the Iranian Constitution. He said Turkmen are also forced to choose Persian names for their newborn children.
Magtymguly, who lived from 1733-1783, was also a founder of the Turkmen literary language.
Magtymguly was born in the Etrek Valley of what is now northern Iran.
He is famous for ideas about uniting Turkmen tribes and hoped for a common state for all Turkmen.
Scientists, poets, and writers from Turkmenistan and other countries met at the third-annual international conference of Magtymguly in Gonbed Gabus, Iran, on May 17.
Juma Buresh, an ethnic Turkmen from Iran, told RFE/RL that he is concerned that the Turkmen minority in Iran is not allowed to study in its native language, despite having such a right in the Iranian Constitution. He said Turkmen are also forced to choose Persian names for their newborn children.
Magtymguly, who lived from 1733-1783, was also a founder of the Turkmen literary language.