Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov, the self-styled Turkmenbashi ("Head of all Turkmens"), ruled Turkmenistan from October 27, 1990 until his death on December 21, 2006. During his reign Niyazov changed the names for months and days, closed libraries, and designed a national theme park. He also banned the ballet, circus, and opera in 2001. Thankfully, a few days ago, President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has rescinded the ban, at least for the circus and opera.

Reuters Article | New York Times Article

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6 responses to “Opera in Turkmenistan”

  1. bean Avatar
    bean

    thank goodness ballet is still banned. turkmenistan is a role model for other nations, and especially San Francisco.

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  2. Charlise Tiee Avatar

    Now, now, the San Francisco Ballet is having its 75th anniversary. You know you love it.

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  3. bean Avatar
    bean

    my uncoordinated obese mother can dance better than the SF ballet company dancers

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  4. Charlise Tiee Avatar

    That is completely untrue! I hear they are better this season, they are even being broadcasted on PBS.

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  5. bean Avatar
    bean

    better from infinitely bad is still bad

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  6. Charlise Tiee Avatar

    They aren’t infinitely bad, they just tend toward sounding elephantine plus not together. You don’t even like ballet!

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