Literacy Work in Turkmenistan - 2010
The U.S. State Department and the government of Turkmenistan (specifically the State Publishing House) invited me to participate in a program designed to improve early childhood education in Turkmenistan by increasing awareness of the importance of children's literature and reading to children. I was in Turkmenistan from September 23-29, 2010. To my knowledge, I was the first American children’s book author invited to Turkmenistan on an official visit since gaining their independence from the USSR in 1991. It should be noted that since Turkmenistan’s independence from the USSR, the country has remained largely closed to the outside world, thus it was a unique opportunity for me. I met with children, educators, librarians, the Speaker of the Parliament, the Chairwoman for Culture, TV, and Press, and other officials in an effort to increase the amount of children's books published in Turkmenistan. Additionally, I participated in Turkmenistan's International Book Fair scheduled from September 25-26. I briefed various persons about the impact of reading on literacy and what to look for in selecting good children's books. I also offered workshops to writers on how to develop good books for children.
The program was initiated because Turkmenistan's education system has been crippled by years of neglect and misguided policies. By shutting down libraries, refusing to allow the publication of new books and even burning books, Former President Niyazov (who died in December of 2006 and presided from 1991-2006) succeeded in destroying the "culture of reading" that had remained from the Soviet era. Since 1991, all school children have learned Turkmen using the Latin alphabet, making them incapable of reading the vast cannon of literature that had been translated into Turkmen during the Soviet Union era. Additionally, it is reported that Turkmen authorities have only allowed the publication of less than 100 books each year (however, some sources believe it to be less than 10 books per year). The result is a population that has little access to books and almost no exposure to reading at a young age. This program launched local U.S. Embassy efforts to expand the number of children's books published in Turkmenistan and to help raise awareness of the importance of reading to children at an early age. Along with U.S. State Department efforts, current President, Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov (sworn in as president in February of 2007), is invoking governmental reforms, including better education for Turkmen citizens. The expectation was that my presence would help to revitalize the culture of reading in Turkmenistan. Obviously this is a monumental undertaking, but I do I sincerely hope that I planted “seeds of change” into the minds of those that I met. The program also included publicized readings at the National Library, at American Corners, and at various schools.
I wish to thank the combined efforts of President Berdymukhamedov, the government of Turkmenistan, the State Publishing House, the U.S. State Department, and the U.S. Embassy (in Ashgabat) for bringing me to Turkmenistan. It was a stirring trip and it was an honor to fill the role of "Literacy Ambassador to Turkmenistan." Turkmenistan is a beautiful country and the Turkmen people are wonderful. I will never forget their kindness and hospitality . . . and I hope to return for another visit someday.
The program was initiated because Turkmenistan's education system has been crippled by years of neglect and misguided policies. By shutting down libraries, refusing to allow the publication of new books and even burning books, Former President Niyazov (who died in December of 2006 and presided from 1991-2006) succeeded in destroying the "culture of reading" that had remained from the Soviet era. Since 1991, all school children have learned Turkmen using the Latin alphabet, making them incapable of reading the vast cannon of literature that had been translated into Turkmen during the Soviet Union era. Additionally, it is reported that Turkmen authorities have only allowed the publication of less than 100 books each year (however, some sources believe it to be less than 10 books per year). The result is a population that has little access to books and almost no exposure to reading at a young age. This program launched local U.S. Embassy efforts to expand the number of children's books published in Turkmenistan and to help raise awareness of the importance of reading to children at an early age. Along with U.S. State Department efforts, current President, Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov (sworn in as president in February of 2007), is invoking governmental reforms, including better education for Turkmen citizens. The expectation was that my presence would help to revitalize the culture of reading in Turkmenistan. Obviously this is a monumental undertaking, but I do I sincerely hope that I planted “seeds of change” into the minds of those that I met. The program also included publicized readings at the National Library, at American Corners, and at various schools.
I wish to thank the combined efforts of President Berdymukhamedov, the government of Turkmenistan, the State Publishing House, the U.S. State Department, and the U.S. Embassy (in Ashgabat) for bringing me to Turkmenistan. It was a stirring trip and it was an honor to fill the role of "Literacy Ambassador to Turkmenistan." Turkmenistan is a beautiful country and the Turkmen people are wonderful. I will never forget their kindness and hospitality . . . and I hope to return for another visit someday.