The President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdumuhamedov, opened a 15-meter golden monument to an Alabai dog in Ashgabat.
So, the height of the figure of the dog is 6 meters, it is installed on a pedestal 9 meters high. The new attraction can be seen even from the distant regions of the city.
The initiator of the installation of the monument was the President of Turkmenistan himself, who declared the need to "show respect for the unparalleled courage and great kindness of these wonderful animals, emphasized their role in the historical destiny of the nation and the place they occupy in the life of the people."
During the opening of the monument, videos with Central Asian shepherd dogs were shown on the screen, and the ceremony of opening the monument was shown on state television.
It is noteworthy that in 2017, Berdumukhamedov presented an Alabai puppy to Russian President Vladimir Putin. And in May 2019, the President of Turkmenistan presented an alabai to the then Prime Minister of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev. In the same year, the head of the republic published the book "Turkmen Alabai". He personally conducted its presentation, which he accompanied with poems of his own composition.
The Turkmen alabay (or wolfdog) is a type of Central Asian shepherd. It is considered one of the oldest breeds on Earth. Along with the Akhal-Teke horse, the alabai is a national treasure of Turkmenistan. The export of these animals abroad is prohibited without official permission.
