Arch Of Neutrality
Originally located in central Ashgabat, the monument was one of the tallest buildings in the city, being taller than the nearby Presidential Palace. It was topped by an illuminated 12-metre (39 ft) tall gold-plated statue of Niyazov which rotated to always face the sun. The monument features a panoramic viewing platform for visitors, accessible by inclined elevators built into the arch's legs.
In 2010, the monument was dismantled and moved to the suburbs in the city's southern end, where it was reassembled and still stands.
Removal
On 18 January 2010, Niyazov's successor, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, signed a decree to dismantle and move the monument out of central Ashgabat. There were reports that it would be dismantled as early as 2008, but Berdimuhamedow did not approve the move until 2010. The dismantling was officially said to be a move to improve urban design in Ashgabat, but is seen as part of Berdimuhamedow's campaign to remove the excesses of the personality cult that Niyazov had created during his two decades of totalitarian rule. Niyazov also named cities and infrastructure after himself, and ordered the construction of an "ice palace" and a 40-metre (130 ft) tall pyramid, but the monument and its gold-plated statue have been described as the most notorious symbol of his legacy.
In 2010, Berdimuhamedow appointed Polimeks to dismantle the monument and move it to the suburbs in Ashgabat's southern end. The removal of Niyazov's statue was completed on 26 August 2010, although it was then placed back after the monument was moved. The statue no longer rotates, but the viewing platform is still usually open for visitors.
Gallery
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Arch of Neutrality at night
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10000 manat
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5 manat
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Summit of the Neutrality monument, featuring a golden statue of Saparmyrat Nyýazow with the flag of Turkmenistan in the foreground
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Golden statue of Saparmyrat Nyýazow
See also
References
- ^ Radio Free Europe: Turkmen Leader Orders Predecessor's Statue Removed
- ^ The Times: 'Father of all Turkmen' toppled under orders of successor
- ^ BBC News: Turkmenistan ex-leader Niyazov's arch to be removed
- ^ Financial Times: Turkmenistan to end personality cult
- ^ "Turkmenistan ex-leader Niyazov's golden statue toppled". BBC News Asia-Pacific. 26 August 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
- ^ Catherine A. Fitzpatrick (7 November 2011). "Turkmenistan: Golden Turkmenbashi Statue is Back".
External links