Commemoration Conference of Magtymguly Pyragy

His Excellency Dr. Nizamiddin Zahidi, Ambassador of Tajikistan to Tehran,

His Excellency Mr. Ilyas Gayypov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Tehran,

Dr. Ali Rahbar,

Managing Director of the Turkmen Cultural and Artistic Institute (Khaneh-ye Farhang-e Torkman),

Distinguished Ambassadors… esteemed scholars… respected guests… ladies and gentlemen…

Good afternoon.

It is an honour to welcome you. The ECO region is not only a geography, but a civilization of ideas. It has given the world great minds such as Rumi, Ferdowsi, Hafez, Rudaki, Allama Iqbal, and Magtymguly Pyragy—voices that did more than write poetry; they shaped conscience, society, and time itself.

Today, we gather with purpose to honour one of the brightest literary figures of Turkmenistan and to celebrate a thinker whose vision continues to speak across generations. Magtymguly Pyragy lived in a difficult age, marked by fragmentation, uncertainty, and hardship. Yet he did not retreat into silence. He responded with words—powerful and purposeful words. Through poetry, he called for justice, compassion, dignity, and unity, transforming literature into a force of awakening and moral reflection.

At the heart of his thought lies morality. He reminded us of a timeless truth: human beings are bound by responsibility toward one another and toward society. He called for honesty, integrity, humility, fairness, and respect, while firmly opposing greed, injustice, hatred, and selfishness. These are not merely historical ideals; they are enduring human principles that remain urgent today. Development without ethics is incomplete, and progress without values is fragile.

Equally important is his vision of unity. He understood that division weakens societies, while unity strengthens them. He urged people to rise above differences, build solidarity, and work for the common good. For him, peace, stability, and progress were not abstract concepts, but social necessities rooted in collective responsibility.

This is why his voice transcends borders and centuries. It speaks not only to Turkmenistan, but to all societies that seek harmony, understanding, and a shared future. In today’s world—marked by polarization, mistrust, cultural misunderstanding, and rising tensions—his message is even more relevant. The need for connection, empathy, and respect has never been greater. Magtymguly offers us a clear direction: dialogue over division, empathy over exclusion, respect over resentment, and dignity for all human beings.

As members of the ECO family, we are bound by a shared history of trade, knowledge, poetry, faith, and cultural exchange. Magtymguly Pyragy belongs to this interconnected civilizational space—not to one nation alone, but to our collective heritage. At the ECO Cultural Institute, we believe that culture builds bridges where politics cannot, and literature opens doors where barriers exist.

Today’s conference reflects this conviction. It brings together scholars, researchers, diplomats, and cultural practitioners to revisit ideas, exchange perspectives, and strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation across our region. I extend my sincere appreciation to the Embassy of Turkmenistan, the Embassy of Tajikistan, the Turkmen Cultural and Artistic Institute, and all distinguished participants for their valuable presence and support.

Let us carry forward this spirit of engagement. Let us continue research, dialogue, and collaboration. And let us preserve and promote the intellectual legacy of Magtymguly Pyragy—not only as a poet of the past, but as a voice of the present and a guide for the future.

Thank you.