Fun facts about Türkmenbaşy
5 facts - tap any card to flip it and learn more.
Niyazov's mother and two brothers were killed in the devastating 1948 Ashgabat earthquake.
Türkmenbaşy
Turkmenistan
Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov was a Turkmen politician and dictator who led Turkmenistan from 1985 until his death in 2006. He was the first secretary of the Communist Party of Turkmenistan from 1985 until 1991 and supported the 1991 Soviet coup attempt.
From the “Early life” section
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo: Danny Gys · CC BY 4.0
Niyazov declared himself Türkmenbaşy, meaning 'Leader of all Turkmen', a year after becoming the first popularly elected president.
Türkmenbaşy
Turkmenistan
Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov was a Turkmen politician and dictator who led Turkmenistan from 1985 until his death in 2006. He was the first secretary of the Communist Party of Turkmenistan from 1985 until 1991 and supported the 1991 Soviet coup attempt.
From the “Soviet politics” section
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo: Danny Gys · CC BY 4.0
He introduced the practice of 'Melon Day', a harvest festival celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of August.
Türkmenbaşy
Turkmenistan
Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov was a Turkmen politician and dictator who led Turkmenistan from 1985 until his death in 2006. He was the first secretary of the Communist Party of Turkmenistan from 1985 until 1991 and supported the 1991 Soviet coup attempt.
From the “Presidency (1990–2006)” section
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo: Danny Gys · CC BY 4.0
Niyazov banned the use of lip synching at public concerts in 2005, citing its negative effect on the development of musical arts.
Türkmenbaşy
Turkmenistan
Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov was a Turkmen politician and dictator who led Turkmenistan from 1985 until his death in 2006. He was the first secretary of the Communist Party of Turkmenistan from 1985 until 1991 and supported the 1991 Soviet coup attempt.
From the “Presidency (1990–2006)” section
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo: Danny Gys · CC BY 4.0
Niyazov erected a rotating, $12 million, golden statue of himself that always faces the sun.
Türkmenbaşy
Turkmenistan
Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov was a Turkmen politician and dictator who led Turkmenistan from 1985 until his death in 2006. He was the first secretary of the Communist Party of Turkmenistan from 1985 until 1991 and supported the 1991 Soviet coup attempt.
From the “Cult of personality” section
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo: Danny Gys · CC BY 4.0