Ylham Alley - Unique park in the centre of Ashgabat

Ashgabat has a special park, which guarantees a pilgrimage into the history of culture, an acquaintance with the greatest representatives of classical poetry and modern literature, famous scientists who developed many scientific disciplines, and with the spiritual world and national values of the Turkmen people.

This park is the Ylham (in Turkmen ‘inspiration’) Art and Park Complex. The local residents call it ‘Ylham Alley’, because it stretches in the very centre of the city from Magtymguly Avenue to Gorogly Avenue, and has a total area of 57 000 metres2.

An artificial river flows in the central part of the park. It consists of the decorative cascading pools, passing one into another. The pools have fountains with the light and sound effects in the middle of them. Numerous glass bridges are thrown across the pools.

The granite footpaths and recreation areas surrounded by trees, green lawns and flower beds are provided in the park. By the way, the roses were specially imported from Italy.

Two cafes on the territory of the park have become attractions of Ashgabat in recent years. Tourists love to spend time, relax, dine, or drink aromatic coffee here, in a cosy atmosphere.

However, the main attractions of the park are 46 sculptures. They are dedicated to outstanding Turkmen thinkers, poets, and scientists of the ancient and modern times, whose creative heritage is an invaluable national treasure and an integral part of the world culture.

These works of art were created by the best eminent and young sculptors of the country. Their works reflect different trends and styles, which is also a unique feature of the park. The main idea of the sculptors is the link between generations and epochs, and the continuity of high spiritual values.

Walking through the park, tourists seem to look through the pages of history, discovering the spiritual origins of the Turkmen nation, which makes the travel more interesting and informative.

In literary terms, the park is divided thematically into three equal sectors and can be called a trilogy. Its first sector includes statues to Abu Said Abul Khayr, Abu Bakr al-Suli, Maḥmud Zamakhshari, Mahmud al-Kashgari, Avicenna, Abu al-Fadl al-Sarakhsi, Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, Muzaffar al-Din Jahan Shah, Shemseddin Mervezi, Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, Mahmyt Palvan, Kadi Burhan al-Din, and Najm al-Din Kubra.

The second sector is dedicated to the outstanding poets of the 11-19 centuries, including in Ahmet Yasavi, Dovletmammet Azadi, Yunus Emre, Gurbandurdy Zelili, Mammetveli Kemine, Seyitnazar Seydi, Yusuf Balasaguni, Fizuli, Imadaddin Nasimi, Omar Khayyam, Ali-Shir Navai, Bayram Khan, Nurmuhammet Andalyp, Annagylych Mataji, Mollanepes, and Abdul Rahim Khan.

The third sector highlights the writers, poets and playwrights of the 20th century, namely, Berdy Kerbabaev, Beki Seytakov, Aman Kekilov, Gara Seytliev, Ata Govshudov, Kerim Gurbannepesov, Gurbannazar Ezizov, Nurmyrat Saryhanov and other outstanding personalities.

To call the Ylham Park one of the most popular recreation areas in the Turkmen capital would be an understatement. The park is magnificent in any season of the year. In the spring, blossoming trees are fragrant; in summer and autumn, it is a pleasure to sit in the shade of trees or by the water, and to admire fountains and flower beds. Many residents and guests of Ashgabat spend their free time here every day. The park is especially crowded in the evenings. Parents and children, grandparents, young people choose this park for walks and outdoor activities.

On the days of national celebrations, musical performances and literary meetings are held in the park, which turns into a fairy-tale city on New Year's holidays. The park hosts open-air lessons and lectures for schoolchildren and students, allowing them to plunge into history, to look through the pages of national culture, and to feel inspiration in this unique park.