Ashgabat, 28 May 2010 – Around 700 children from 20 countries, including from different regions of Turkmenistan, are visiting Geokdere resort area near capital Ashgabat and Awaza resort area in Turkmenbashi city these days to showcase their accomplishments in music and arts at the Third International Children’s Festival hosted by the Government of Turkmenistan. Featuring song and dance performances and artworks, the week long Festival aims at fostering involvement, unity, and pride in all participants and strongly affirms the power and importance of music and arts as an integral part of children's education.

The Festival is intended to be an opportunity for children from all over the world to demonstrate their capabilities, sing songs, perform national dances, present artworks, and learn about each other and the host country Turkmenistan’s culture. The festival is expected to create strong bonds between the children from different cultural backgrounds who will practice the principles of communal living, appreciating and understanding, as well as overcoming cultural differences.

The International Children’s Festival is organized as part of the International Child Protection day festivities. “International Child Protection Day is a day of great importance for UNICEF. On this day we celebrate the essence of UNICEF’s work, the right of children to good health, nutrition and education; to be protected from harm and exploitation; to enjoy a safe environment; and above all be listened to and encouraged to participate in matters affecting them,” said Samphe Lhalungpa, UNICEF Representative in Turkmenistan.

UNICEF in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and TV and Radio Broadcasting and Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan is planning to conduct a forum as well as art and sports events during the Festival to listen to children’s voices and opinions about their rights and particularly, right for rest, leisure and cultural development enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In addition, UNICEF will also distribute to each young participant some memorable gifts and a colourful children’s book recently developed in partnership with Turkmenistan children and adult writers.

“UNICEF encourages child participation as an integral part of good development process in Turkmenistan. We believe that the International Children’s Forum in the framework of the Festival will boost friendly ties between children of participating countries, raise awareness on child rights issues and most importantly, create an environment where children’s opinions are valued,” said Samphe Lhalungpa, UNICEF Representative in Turkmenistan. “We hope that this Festival will help children to grow in their music talent, knowledge, and skills, so as to bring joy and satisfaction to their lives, challenge their minds, stimulate their imaginations, and lift their spirits”, added Mr.Samphe Lhalungpa.

For more information please contact:

Ms. Gulyalek Soltanova
UNICEF Communication Officer
Phone: +99312 425681/82/86/86
Fax: +99312 420830
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: http://www.unicef.org/turkmenistan