AKIPRESS.COM - Solemn events began in Turkmenistan on June 29 with the participation of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in honor of the opening of the first "smart city" Arkadag, named after former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and built on his initiative, state media Turkmenistan-Golden Agecreported.

The ceremony participants gathered near the Akhan monument in the beginning. Choreographic groups performed on the square near the monument, and fountains were put into operation.

Then Berdimuhamedov and the guests went to the main square of Arkadag, where the flag of Turkmenistan was raised during the national anthem and the Arkadag monument was opened.

The opening of Arkadag began on June 29, which is the birthday of ex-president of the republic Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

However, Arkadag himself could not take part in the celebration. According to local media, he headed the state delegation to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj.

The construction of the city was initiated by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and began in 2019. Construction was planned to be carried out in two stages. The first phase of its construction has been completed.

It is assumed that about 70,000 families will live in Arkadag city, built on the basis of the "smart city" concept.