EurasiaNet Civil Society - Turkmenistan: Niyazov's Legacy Slowly Unraveling

CIVIL SOCIETY

TURKMENISTAN: NIYAZOV’S LEGACY SLOWLY UNRAVELING
1/26/09

References to former President Saparmurat Niyazov continue to be expunged from official Turkmen culture, with the latest de-Niyazovization move covering print media.

The publication previously known as "Nesli Turkmenbashi," or Descendents of Turkmenbashi in English, has been re-fashioned simply as Nesli, the Russian newspaper Izvestia reported January 26. In addition, the latest edition of a women’s journal called "Gurbansoltan Eje," in honor of Niyazov’s mother, has appeared under a new title, "Zenan Kalby," or Women’s Soul.

"During the rule of Saparmurat Niyazov, his name, as well as the names of his close relatives, were used for particular localities, areas, streets, calendar months, periodicals, public organizations, enterprises, culture and health," Izvestia said.

Niayzov’s penchant for re-naming things in his honor helped foster his reputation as a megalomaniac. Niyazov’s successor, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, has erased Niyazov’s image from bank notes and eliminated references to him from the national anthem. However, many observers caution that de-Niyazovization campaign may not be emblematic of a dramatic policy shift in the country. Berdymukhamedov’s program of reform has so far only dealt with cosmetic issues, not the inherent problems of Turkmenistan’s closed, autocratic traditions. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

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