Melon Day
| Melon Day | |
|---|---|
 Melons and watermelons in Ashgabat | |
| Observed by | Turkmenistan |
| Type | National |
| Date | Second Sunday in August |
| 2023 date | August 13 |
| 2024 date | August 11 |
| 2025 date | August 10 |
| 2026 date | August 9 |
| Frequency | annual |
| First time | 1994 |
Melon Day is an annual national holiday in Turkmenistan devoted to festivities to celebrate the country's muskmelon, in particular a recent crossbreed product named "Turkmenbashi melon" (after Turkmenistan's first president), which is praised for its aroma, taste and large size. It takes place on the second Sunday in August.
This holiday was established by Turkmenistan’s then-president Saparmurat Niyazov in 1994, who preferred to be known as Turkmenbashi, or leader of the Turkmens. The day's celebrations feature a large display of the fruit in all its varieties, as well as a series of dance and music events, in the country's capital Ashgabat.
In his address to farmers in 2004, President Niyazov said: "Almighty God has turned Turkmen soil into a fertile source of an abundance of the tastiest fruits. Among them are Turkmen melons, which are the result of farmers' hard work and which have a unique taste reminiscent of the fruit of paradise." In newspapers Niyazov has been quoted as saying, "The Turkmen melon is the source of our pride. Its taste has no equals in the world, the smell makes your head spin."[1]
Melon Day is among 24 public holidays of Turkmenistan – typical titles of which are Drop of Water is a Grain of Gold Festival, Festival of the Poetry of Magtymguli, Good Neighborliness Day, Racing Horse Day, and Carpet Day.
See also
References
- ^ "The Turkmen theocracy lost its god". Turkish Daily News, Turkey. December 22, 2006.
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External links
- Niyazov's address on the occasion of the Turkmen Melon Day
- Turkmen leader inspires devotion to melon BBC, August 11, 2003.
- Turkmenistan celebrates 'Melon Day' AFP, August 13, 2005.
- Turkmenistan celebrates Melon Day Al Jazeera, August 23, 2005.