Turkmenistan unveils 185-meter high Monument to Constitution

ASHKHABAD, May 18 (Itar-Tass) - The opening of a 185-meter high
Monument to the Constitution on May 18 heralded the beginning of
nationwide celebrations in Turkmenistan on the occasion of Day of Turkmen
Revival, Unity and an anniversary of birth of the 18th century Turkmen
poet and thinker, Mahtumkuli. Back in the 18th century the Turkmen poet
called for unity of alien Turkmen tribes and the establishment of a strong
state. Turkmenistan adopted its first Constitution as an independent state
on May 18, 1992 in tribute to the celebrated poet.
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov declared in his gala
address to the nation that the Constitution of Turkmenistan and
Makhtumkuli's poetry are inseparable values. "Fraternity is custom here
and friendship is law" - the famous line from the poet's verses, who
called upon the generations to come to strengthen people's unity, has
become a leitmotif of the national holiday. The aspirations for unity are
reflected in Turkmenistan's national Coat of Arms and its state flag which
feature the Turkmen five biggest tribes in their ornaments.
The same ornaments were used to decorate the Monument to the
Constitution unveiled on Wednesday. The monument worth 45 million euros
was built by the Polimeks Turkish construction company. It proved to be
the highest monument in Ashgabat, even higher than a Monument to
Independence which is 91 meters high. Incidentally, there is a coincidence
between the height of the monuments and dates when they were inaugurated.
Thus, the constitution was adopted on May 18 (18.5): hence the height of
the monument - 185 meters. The other monument is 91 meters high, which is
reminiscent of the date (1991) when Turkmenistan proclaimed independence.