turkmenistan weird laws

Oh, Turkmenistan how we overlook thee. His renaming of months, as well as most of the days of the week, to Turkmen heroes, poets, historical events,[22] family members and himself was an unexpected development. Turkmenistan, a land-locked country, is the least densely populated countryinCentral Asia. Golden Statues and Mother Bread: The Bizarre Legacy of Turkmenistan's Former Dictator. (Seems just the order of things now): . Although the crater looks like a natural feature, it is a result of drilling by Soviet geologists in the early 1970s. Illustration: Seemon The progressive erosion of women`s rights conflicts with Turkmenistan`s Constitution, laws and international conventions, to which Turkmenistan is a signatory, including the 1997 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Although apparently not explicitly against the law, gold teeth did fall out of favor with Turkmenistan's elite during the era of Turkmenbashi. The Ringling Brothers and Cirque du Soleil may yet have their day in the Turkmen sun. Since 1993, the people of Turkmenistanhave been given free water, electricity and gas. It is composed of rice, carrot, meat and lots of spices cooked in a large plan. Otherwise, we may never see you again, implying that prison or worse awaited perpetrators of orphaned vehicles. In 2013, seven years after Niyazovs death, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov ordered the removal of Ruhnama from all public schools. According to the 2017 World Press Freedom Index, Turkmenistan ranked is 178th out of 180 with only North Korea and Eritrea below it. But one accidental point of sight-seeing, the Darwaza Crater or the Hells Gate makes Turkmenistan a centreof attraction (we will come to the tourists' part in a bit though). September? [91] By that year, the old Constitution of Turkmenistan, adopted during Niyazov's presidency and codifying Niyazov's primacy, was replaced, and the government launched a democratization program. Here are 20 such weird facts about Turkmenistan: A complex visa regimen makesTurkmenistan one of the least visited countries in the world. The presidents passed other laws just because he had the power to do so; for example, he named the days of the week after his immediate family members. Via Emil Delavele 18 A To help us improve GOV.UK, wed like to know more about your visit today. Niyazov introduced the practice of "Melon Day", a harvest festival celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of August; unlike some of his other creations, the celebration of "Melon Day" has continued after his death. [94][95] Displaying and keeping the book alongside the Quran in mosques were also stopped, except in Trkmenbay Ruhy Mosque. [33][34] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan strongly denied allegations that the cut in pensions resulted in the deaths of many elderly Turkmens, accusing foreign media outlets of spreading "deliberately perverted" information on the issue. The Turkmen can also be sensitive about pictures being taken in the Teke, Russian and Tolkuchka bazaars in Ashgabat. He has over 14 years of experience in researching, informative writing, fact-checking, SEO & web design. In 2017, the World Press Freedom Index ranked 178th of 180 countries, just below Eritrea and North Korea. Read More | Work With Us, Travel and life evangelist. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow took power of Turkmenistan in February 2007, succeeding Saparmurat Niyazov. The Darwaza Crater or the Hells Gate as it is famously known, is not a natural phenomenon butthe result of a natural gas drilling expedition going horribly wrong. He also took part in creating new holidays with a specific Turkmen nature and introduced a new Latin-based Turkmen alphabet to replace Russian Cyrillic. In 2016, 6,000 tourists visited Turkmenistan. Mrs Tullieva, a 32-year-old laboratory technician, had been sent home from work because of her offending teeth, as universities, government departments and state-run companies humoured their . 17 Mind Blowing Facts About Mount Rushmore, 7 Conspiracies That Flat Earthers Believe Are True. They were given bones to gnaw to strengthen their teeth. Turkmenbashi, Smiling Leader of Turkmenistan. Photo: Narendra Modi Youtube Channel. Swearing in public in St. Kitts could get you in hot water. At any time,. [57], On 25 November 2002, Niyazov's motorcade was fired upon at about 7 a.m. in downtown Ashgabat as he was traveling to his office from his official residence in Arshabil. 110,000 people died when a 7.3 magnitude earthquake rocked Ashgabat and the surrounding region. Sellers declare the item's customs value and must comply with customs declaration laws. The market has adapted to the rule and many female students simply buy fake braids and attach them to their takhyas or buy ready-made headgear to hide shorter haircuts. As per the record, the city has 543 white marble buildings covering an area of 4.5 million square metres(with no one living in them, by the way). A dirty car offends the President, so all cars must be clean! Surely he could have suggested that they translate it to . Turkmenistan's Melons. New York: Overlook Press, 2009. p227. It was formerly known as Turkmenia. The Turkmen people are descendents of the nomadic Oghuz tribe that moved into the region in the 7th century. The Arch of Neutrality, the rotating golden statue of Niyazov, was moved from downtown Ashgabat to the southern edge of the city on 26 August 2010. People have a certain way of explaining almost every process in their lives. Remember him, because we will be talking about him quite a bit. In Turkmenbashi`s time, utility prices were so low that bills for these services arrived every year. "Eavesdropping" on your own conversations is a Class 4 felony punishable by up to three years in state prison in Illinois. ", in, Hiro, Dilip. Under Niyazov, the Turkmen Communist Party had a reputation as one of the most hardline and unreformed party organizations in the Soviet Union. [24], His father Atamyrat Nyazow's Red Army service was used to shape how the country celebrates Victory Day (9 May). The Turkmen Agricultural University is named after him, as is the Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashy Military Institute. The Darwaza Crater or The Hell's gate. We were so close to a visit when we were in this area in 2018, but we were a little nervous about Turkmenistan and Tajikistan and were also running out of time. He was first secretary of the Turkmen Communist Party from 1985 until 1991 and supported the 1991 . In 2006, a 42-year-old postman from Saitama Prefecture was arrested for putting chocolate ice cream inside a mailbox. Everything you need to know before traveling to Turkmenistan the strange country located in Central Asia. While the three-legged statue seemed to have enough grandeur on its own, what really drove the point home was a gold 39 foot statue at the top of the tower of - you guessed it - Niyazov himself. [70][71], During Niyazov's presidency there was no freedom of the press nor was there freedom of speech. And by 1985 he was already First . That's "Ruhnama", which is the title of Niyazov's book. It's no wonder why Turkmenistan had the lowest life expectancy in all of Central Asia at the time. In his spare time, he loves to explore the world, drink coffee & attend trivia nights. Turkmen are descendants of the ancient Oghuz communities that migrated to the region around the seventh century. [citation needed], Niyazov became a substitute for the vacuum left by the downfall of the communist system, with his image replacing those of Marx and Lenin. Here, if you want a driving license, your skills with the steering wheel don't matter as much as your rote-learning of the Ruhnama. At 27, most buildings clad in marble and the largest architectural star with a mind-blowing area of 34,875 square feet (3,240 sq. Photographing official buildings is forbidden. Not to mention that most of these records are, of course, thought of and executed by only - and we mean, really, only - Turkmenistan. When I mention Turkmenistan, often people look at me with a confused stare and then ask what it is a place, a city, what? As per the newspaper, the Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan has been asked to gather scientists, and if necessary, foreign consultants, and find a way to extinguish the fire. It is against the law to smoke outside in Turkmenistan; this law extends to restaurants and other communal spaces (unless they contain a designated smoking area). That was switched to be named after Niyazov's mother. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Deserts and sand form the prominent part of the geography of the country today as it is home to Karakum desert. Even locals you talk to in Turkmenistan don`t know the site, although it remains the biggest attraction that attracts tourists to Turkmenistan. One of the drivers of the Aston Martin Tokyo-to-London team was fined $100 by the Turkmen highway militsia for smoking in his own car. It was captured by the Mongols who executed the entire population, apart from 400 artisans. Luke Ward is the owner of The Fact Site. The story goes that while Turkmenbashi attended a televised ceremony, he caught sight of a woman with a set of gold teeth, found it inappropriate, and publicly told her so. Carpets of Turkmenistan. For other people with the same surname, see, "Turkmenbasi" redirects here. The full independence of Turkmenistan was recognised by a UN General Assembly resolution "The permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan" of 12 December 1995. Currently, the laws of Turkmenistan are in the process of being codified. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Strange weird snapshot photo wild hula dances wild beach holiday bizarre +2314F at the best online prices at eBay! One can only theorize that he wanted all of the men of his country to follow suit and resemble him. His mother, Gurbansoltan Eje, was part of the cult of personality later. [37] In 2006 Turkmenistan set free 10,056 prisoners, including 253 foreign nationals from 11 countries. SUBSCRIBE for More Travel Videos: http://bit.ly/2hyQnZ1 Get My Top 100 Travel Pics FREE! m. (34,875 sq. In 2006 the European Commission and the international trade committee of the European Parliament voted to grant Turkmenistan "most favoured nation" trading status with the European Union, widely seen as motivated by interest in natural gas, after Niyazov announced he would enter a "human rights dialogue" with the EU. The country stands as one of the most repressed countries of the world, with a one-party government and President Berdymukhamedov's dictatorship style of working. "Turkmenistan: Permanent Transition or Elusive Stability? The authorities were unable to stop the campaign and the President responded by firing his Interior Minister and director of the police academy on national television. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com, Unbelievable Facts About Turkmenistan, the Dystopian Dictatorship You Haven't Heard Of, Top 10 Unbelievable Places In The World That Anyone Can Visit, 10 Unique And Interesting Facts About Turkmenistan. It is remarkable to imagine that millions of years ago the country was covered by a sea. He grew up in a Soviet orphanage before the state put him in the custody of a distant relative. The president of Turkmenistan (who called himself Turkmenbashi, leader of the Turkmen) is known for his strange YouTube videos and even stranger laws. Currently, there are following codes: Civil Code of Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan president Saparmurat Niyazov (1991-2006) passed unusual laws during his term in the pretext of preserving ancient Turkmen culture. Up to 2014, this also included the vehicles. Pensions received during the prior two years were ordered paid back to the state. The Turkmen Supreme Soviet declared Turkmenistan independent and appointed Niyazov as the country's first president on 27 October 1991. No more than 2 packets of 20. In many respects, Niyazov's cultural ideas and changes were most visible to external viewers. January? What's true and what's Turkmenbashi urban myth? [10], Niyazov was born on 19 February 1940 in Gypjak (or Kipchak), just outside Ashgabat in the Turkmen SSR. Yearly plans set forth by the government and a centralised economy gave little indication of moving away from state-dominated economics, and the dictatorial nature of many of his decrees and his declaring himself "President for Life" gave little hope as to much progress in these two areas. INLED His mother and two brothers were killed in the devastating 1948 Ashgabat earthquake. The Akhal-Teke horse also appears on the national emblem of Turkmenistan. 7. The Ferris wheel is 156 feet (47.60 m) tall, while its surrounding structure is 187 feet (57 m). That is, you could register for a mortgage and half of it would be covered by the state. According to the Ashgabat correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru, right-hand-drive imported cars converted to left-hand-drive were banned due to a perceived increased risk in accidents. One of the earliest acts of the president was to abolish the death penalty. Remnants of aquatic life such as sea fossils are found all over the deserts. We do know that bathing suits are not banned. The Darvaza Gas Crater is among the popular tourist attraction sites in the country. The Ruhnama a book written by Saparmurat Niyazov had to be displayed in locations of prominence, all government buildings, and shops. He also made it mandatory to read the Ruhnama in schools, universities and governmental organizations, new governmental employees were tested on the book at job interviews and an exam on its teachings was a part of the driving test in Turkmenistan. Cars that are not white are forbidden from the streets of Ashgabat, the non-white vehicles taken from the owners as hostages and forcibly painted white no matter what. Despite emphasizing a need to move from central planning to a market economy and to a full democracy during his reign, neither plan progressed. Gurbansoltan Eje was named in honor of Niyazov's mother, and Serdar ("leader" in Turkmen) referred to Niyazov himself. Kids in Turkmenistan get to horse training centres at a young age to become horse trainers. You must smile in public in Idaho. If you are found guilty, you could face a lengthy prison sentence in very basic conditions. Here's the scoop on Turkmenistan's laws and rules based on our peek inside the country. Follow me on social media too:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeurasiia/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/eurasiia1 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Books and Websites Used:1. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/21/world/asia/21cnd-turkmen.html 2. https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12316714 3. https://www.unusualtraveler.com/all-the-strange-bizarre-things-you-didnt-know-about-turkmenistan/ 4. https://www.thefactsite.com/turkmenistan-facts/ 5. https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/11/you-crazy-dictator-bread-and-circuses-in-turkmenistan/265125/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Editing Software: DaVinci ResolveBackground Music: - Jovial by Peyruis (You can check out more of his great music here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6qu7S) All music and pictures were downloaded and used legally per individual requirements. The month September was also named after his book Ruhnama. The country produces sweet, juicy melons, for which it has even created a special day. Backpacking Through the Tikal ruins and Flores island in Guatemala, Why I spent 2 months in Rio Dulce despite scathing tourist reviews, Bom Caminho III: The Beauty of the Coastal Way, There's Always A Dog, Or Some Geese, Or Broken Glass, Bom Caminho II: The Rhythm of the Portuguese Way, Erongarcuaro: A Place of Waiting, Whipping, and Wandering, Bom Caminho I: Starting A Walk Across Portugal. Thankfully, because it's one of the weirdest laws around the world, we're guessing it never really has to be enforced. [77], The circumstances of Niyazov's death have been surrounded by some media speculation. President for life Saparmurat Niyazov implemented many laws during his reign, here are some of them: In February 2004, men were banned from wearing long hair or beards. Turkmenistan weird laws "Perhaps we have enough for a ring," he pondered, "or maybe earrings. Failure to do this would lead to the destruction of the mosque. Today we are going to look at 20 facts about this little unknown country. This was because it was decided that everyone should come to the capital for treatment. He took the name for bread. A major element of the original constitution was permanent neutrality, which was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1995. Who knows what opportunities may knock with the passing of Turkmenbashi. It serves as a meeting point between East and West. Enter Turkmenbashi. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. Niyazov also ordered the closure of all libraries outside the capital, stating that the reason was that ordinary Turkmens did not read anyway. m). A prayer took place before the burial, with the chief mufti reading Jyn Aza. But Berdymuhamedov also passed bizarre laws. To put this in perspective, 90 million visitors went to France, and 76 million visited the United States. [23] Not all the changes promoted Niyazov; October was renamed Garasyzlyk (Independence) to mark the state's founding on 27 October 1991, and November Sanjar in honour of Sultan Sanjar who led the Seljuqs to their last full flowering. The Mayor of Pocatello jokingly passed this law following a severe winter back in 1948, which dampened the morale of city employees and citizens alike. Photo: Drew Binsky Youtube video. It's illegal to skateboard without a skateboarding license. This further meant that opposition to Niyazov was strictly forbidden and major opposition figures have been imprisoned, institutionalized, deported, or they have fled the country, and their family members are routinely harassed by the authorities. Friday was renamed after her, too. Prior to this achievement, it was in the Guinness Book for having the worlds tallest flagpole (133 m), the largest fountain complex, largest architectural image and largest Ferris wheel in an enclosed architectural design. He introduced a new Turkmen alphabet based on the Latin alphabet to replace Cyrillic. Well send you a link to a feedback form. America's Strangest 15 Laws. He even went to the extent of inscribing the verses of Ruhnama and Quran on the largest mosque of Turkmenistan, Turkmenbasy Ruhy Mosque. This unique country holds the Guinness World Record for the largest indoor Ferris wheel in an architectural structure. The following year, in 2014, the current president of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, declared that all Turkmen universities would no longer test their students for their knowledge of Ruhnama.It that the strange laws in Turkmenistan would end. This one's true. TIL that in Turkmenistan, colors themselves are considered state enemies. On 21 June 1992 the Turkmenistani presidential election of 1992 featured Niyazov as the sole candidate, and chosen as the country's first popularly elected president. Each university has its own color and texture of fabric for clothing, and it is strictly forbidden to deviate from this requirement, even from shade. Niyazov himself had short hair and was clean shaven. By Ella Morton. However, it still exists, albeit in a non-rotating form, out in the suburbs of Ashgabat. Some of the first strange laws that were introduced occurred under Turkmenistan`s first president, Saparmurat Niyazov. This is also why there are a number of car-washing stations on the outskirts of the city, so that people can get their cars cleaned before entering the city. The land of Turkmenistan is 80 per cent desert and the life of Turkmen(citizens of Turkmenistan) is mostly nomadic. ft.) which is also the Turkmenistan Broadcasting Center tower. Turkmenistan is a country in central Asia, with a population of just under six million and plentiful gas reserves. but relics of him live on in the form of strange laws, changed . here are a few of Turkmenbashi's laws and decrees: No lip syncing at public concerts (it has a negative effect on musical . "The Golden Man: Saparmurat Niyazov's Reign of Insanity". Learn how your comment data is processed. Apart from the the Hells Gate, the country has one of the most bizarre set of rules and living conditions for its people. Also, dirty cars are not allowed. That's why you need to know about some of the weirdest laws that you might break completely by accident. Unlike other Central Asian countries, Turkmenistan under Niyazov put emphasis on the country's sacrifice during the Second World War. Photo: Getty Images. During his rule, Niyazov created a strong cult of personality around himself, which resembled the one around the Kim dynasty in North Korea. You`re wrong. Photo:Getty Images. For example, in 2005, 8,145 convicts were pardoned including 229 foreign nationals. Originally from the U.S. Daniel has lived abroad since 2001 and most recently has been on the road since 2006. The Bayou State has declared it illegal to send anything to a person's house . Niyazov simultaneously cut funding to and partially disassembled the education system in the name of "reform", while injecting ideological indoctrination into it by requiring all schools to use his own book, the Ruhnama, as their primary text. The Turkmen Embassy in Moscow later confirmed this report. "Head of General Staff of Turkmenistan accused in participation in November 2002 plot | Turkmenistan.ru", "Assassination Attempt A Response To Niyazov's Authoritarian Policies", "A failed coup after all? Photo: Getty Images. Dogs were banned from the capital because of their unattractive smell. Turkmenistan was ruled by a dictator and President for Life, Saparmurat Niyazov between 1991 and 2006. One of the reasons why the countrysees a low number of visitors is also because for a long time, the country was closed to the outside world. 60 Weird Laws Around the World By Lissa Poirot and Brittany Alexandra Sulc, updated on February 7, 2023 Getty Images Every country is different, and every country's laws are different.

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