Ashgabat marked the 130th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s first public library with a solemn ceremony at the State Library of the State Cultural Centre, bringing together readers, librarians, and cultural figures, reports Turkmenistan: Golden Age.
Speakers highlighted the library’s enduring mission: throughout its long history, it has remained a publicly accessible sanctuary of knowledge for all citizens.
The Transcaspian Public Library first opened its doors in Ashgabat in August 1895, starting with a modest collection of several thousand volumes. It quickly grew into the nation’s leading methodological and cultural center — a role it never relinquished, even after the devastating 1948 earthquake that destroyed its building and collections. Remarkably, the library resumed operations within months.
Today, the State Library stands as Turkmenistan’s premier scientific, informational, and cultural-educational hub, housing over 5.6 million publications. Its activities span from restoring rare manuscripts to implementing cutting-edge digital technologies.
In January 2025, Turkmenistan approved a State Program for Library Development (2025–2029), aimed not only at modernizing services and adopting innovations, but also at formally recognizing the vital societal role libraries continue to play.
- Edited for international clarity, historical context, and cultural significance
- Key milestones preserved: 1895 founding, 1948 resilience, 5.6M collection, 2025–2029 program
- Structure: celebration → history → resilience → modern role → future roadmap
- Tone: respectful, informative, subtly inspirational
- Formatted with source and date in Western style
Perfect for cultural platforms, UNESCO-related networks, or regional heritage reports. Ideal for pairing with archival photos or a short video tour of the modern library.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
Sept. 12, 2025