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Long Weekend in March: Turkmenistan to Enjoy Four-Day Holiday Break in 2026
13 Mar. 08:21In late March 2026, residents of Turkmenistan are set to enjoy an extended four-day holiday period due to the consecutive arrival of major cultural and religious celebrations. The festivities commence on March 20 with Oraza Bayramy, marking the successful conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan. The date, confirmed by the Muftiate of Turkmenistan, serves as a time for spiritual reflection, charity, and communal prayers, followed by festive family gatherings that celebrate the enduring Islamic values of the Turkmen society.
Immediately following Oraza Bayramy, the nation will observe the National Spring Festival—International Novruz Day—on March 21 and 22. Novruz is a cornerstone of Turkmen heritage, representing the vernal equinox and the renewal of life. As a key state holiday, it is marked by grand concerts, equestrian events, and traditional folk dances. The celebration of Novruz in Turkmenistan highlights the country's deep historical roots and its commitment to preserving the "Silk Road" traditions that have flourished in the region for millennia.
A significant logistical detail for 2026 is the automatic extension of the holiday period. Since March 22 falls on a Sunday, the day off is rescheduled to Monday, March 23, in accordance with Part 2 of Article 81 of the Labor Code of Turkmenistan. This regulation ensures that public holidays falling on a weekend do not reduce the total amount of rest time allotted to citizens, effectively creating a seamless transition from religious festivities to the nationwide celebration of the spring season.
Consequently, the period from March 20 to March 23 will be designated as non-working days across the country. This four-day window provides an excellent opportunity for citizens to engage in cultural festivities and travel to ancestral homes. The regular workweek will resume on Tuesday, March 24. As per tradition, the official decree regarding the holiday schedule is issued by the President of Turkmenistan, reinforcing the state's role in harmonizing modern legal frameworks with the nation's spiritual and historical identity.
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Modern Maternal and Child Healthcare Center Opens Its Doors in Balkanabat
Today in 08:38In celebration of the National Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Industry Workers' Day, a state-of-the-art Maternal and Child Healthcare Center was officially inaugurated in the city of Balkanabat. The landmark event gathered regional and municipal officials, members of the Halk Maslahaty and Parliament, healthcare professionals, and community leaders. The opening ceremony featured festive cultural performances, musical numbers, and traditional Kushtdepdi dances.
The newly constructed medical complex consists of four- and five-story buildings designed to accommodate up to 305 patients. The center houses comprehensive maternity and postnatal wards, a gynecology division, pediatric units, and diagnostic consultation departments. The facility is equipped with advanced medical technology, including MRI, CT scanners, digital mammography, and fluorography units.
Notably, the center features the region's first 10-bed neonatal intensive care unit, fully outfitted with "Medicor" incubators from Hungary and high-precision German monitoring systems. These technologies allow medical staff to continuously monitor vital stats, body temperature, oxygen saturation, and respiratory functions of newborns.
During the ceremony, outstanding builders from the "Shadiyan Gurlushyk" enterprise were honored with gifts on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan, who also donated a new fleet of vehicles to support the medical center's operations.
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