My newly created Central-Asian European Creative Alliance works towards the recognition of the central role of cultural and creative industries between Europe and Central-Asia and promotes its potential as a “trust-based” and “equal ground” oriented partnerships, much needed nowadays! Turkmenistan is a leader in preventive and cultural diplomacy.

During my first Central-Asian European Creative Forum, which took place in September 2024 in Brussels and Antwerp, it was evident and clear that H.E. Ambassador of Turkmenistan in Brussels Mr. Palvanov strives to enhance cooperation between policy makers and practitioners in the fields of cultural and creative industries from the EU and Turkmenistan! He pays special attention for greater coordination between his country’s concept of “preventive diplomacy”, which Turkmenistan exercises for 30 years and “cultural diplomacy”, which at the end of the day contributes to the overall positive image of his motherland on international arena as an epicenter of peace-building, “non-violence”  and  “neutrality”.

Craftmanship from Turmenistan © Yelena 21

Therefore Central-Asian European Creative Alliance and The Embassy of Turkmenistan will join forces and collaborate next year in order to contribute to the success story of this “neutrality” status and its implications! Next year is truly a high-time to do so, since Turkmenistan will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of it, by deploying considerable efforts and using culture as a front-runner of the promotion and understanding of this remarkable status, given by the UN in 1995.

Craftmanship from Turmenistan © Yelena 21

In January 2025, The Embassy of Turkmenistan, in collaboration with Central-Asian European Creative Alliance, MUSE Gallery and Art-Studio Kushde will participate in CIVILASATIONS Art Fair, featuring “Turkmen Treasures Unveiled: A Journey Through Antique Jewellery, Tapestry and Textiles” expo, in order to showcase the rich heritage of Turkmenistan with a curated collection that will highlight the world famous craftsmanship of Turkmen artisans, deeply rooted in the history of the Great Silk Road.
This expo will stay in MUSE gallery during BRAFA-2025, so all the guests and visitors of it can come to the gallery and discover it!

Promoting preventive and cultural diplomacy © Yelena 21

In March 2025 a great celebration of Nawruz is planned, jointly with ENCATC (European Network for Cultural Management and Policy Education) and The European Parliament, where the merger of preventive and cultural diplomacy will be widely discussed with relevant professionals from Europe and Turkmenistan! Experts from the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central~Asia (UNRCCA) from Ashgabat are expected to contribute to this discussion.

There are plans to participate in Europe Day in May 2025 at the premises of EU Institutions with a show case of Turkmen traditional costumes, also to organize a “peace-building” pavilion during Brussels Design September, by using design-thinking and highlighting this topic during our next Central-Asian European Creative Forum-2025 in September 2025, where these topics of preventive and cultural diplomacy will be the major ones on our agendas! 

Craftmanship from Turmenistan © Yelena 21

These upcoming future ambitious plans for activities and events will confirm the vital role of culture and “cultural diplomacy”, even more so in times of global conflicts and tensions in order  to bring people together, foster mutual understanding and unity, emphasize the importance of peace justice.

Celebration of Nawruz @MUSE