Turkmen leader writes song to mark birth of baby horse

Inspired by his favourite horse giving birth to a foal, the strongman leader of Turkmenistan has written a song with his grandson to celebrate the occasion, state television said Wednesday.

The verses written by President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov were set to music composed by his grandson Kerimguly, with whom he previously recorded a hit song devoted to Ak Khan (White Khan), a steed of the Turkmen Akhal-Teke breed.

The new song titled "My White City Ashgabat" premiered at the State Cultural Centre performed by "masters Turkmenistan's music scene," a state channel said, showing footage of the event.

Singers and dancers performed the song with photos of the 63-year-old president riding his favourite horse in the background.

The channel said that the president was "inspired by the birth of the foal named Ashgabat from the legendary Turkmen racehorse Ak Khan, who was bred by the leader of the nation himself".

The president said it was "inspiring" that the foal was born in the year marking 30 years of Turkmenistan's independence and 140 years since the founding of the capital Ashgabat.

The leader of Turkmenistan, one of the most reclusive and authoritarian countries in the world, is accustomed to staging celebrations of his multiple sporting and musical talents, nurturing a cult of his personality.

The Akhal-Teke horse and the Turkmen shepherd dog breed alabai have been elevated to national symbols by the head of state.

The alabai dog is also recognised with a national holiday and had a gold statue built in its honour.

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No political opposition is tolerated in the country and the media is under strict government control.

Last month the president appointed his 39-year-old son Serdar Berdymukhamedov to key political posts, edging the country towards family rule.

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