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Niyazov Wants to Rename the Months of the Year

Feb 12, 2026 February 12, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

Saparmurat Niyazov, the President of Turkmenistan, plans to rename the months of the year and several days of the week to honor national figures, including himself. This move reflects his ongoing efforts to consolidate his image and legacy in Turkmenistan. It highlights the authoritarian nature of his regime and the emphasis on national identity.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: Niyazov's renaming initiative underscores his desire to cement his legacy and control over Turkmenistan's national narrative.

👥 Key Players

Saparmurat Niyazov MENTIONED
President of Turkmenistan
"Niyazov is a significant figure in Central Asia, known for his authoritarian rule and efforts to shape national identity."

📰 What Happened

President Saparmurat Niyazov announced plans to rename the months of the year and days of the week in Turkmenistan to honor national heroes, including himself. This move is part of his strategy to consolidate his legacy and promote national identity.

  • The first month will be renamed 'Turkmenbashi' after Niyazov himself.
  • Days of the week will also be renamed to reflect themes of national pride.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: Iran may view Niyazov's actions as a reflection of authoritarianism that could resonate with its own political climate.
🌍 Regional: The renaming could be seen as a move to strengthen national identity amidst regional instability.
🌐 International: International observers may criticize this as a further indication of Niyazov's autocratic governance.

📚 Background

Turkmenistan has a history of authoritarian rule, with Niyazov having established a personality cult since gaining independence from the Soviet Union. His governance style emphasizes nationalism and control.

Authoritarianism in Central Asia National identity and symbolism in post-Soviet states
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
State media often reflects the government's perspective and may exaggerate the significance of such announcements.

The President of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov, has announced his intention to change the names of the months of the year to honor national heroes, including himself. In a session of the People's Council in Turkmenabad, he proposed that the first month of the year be named 'Turkmenbashi' and that April be renamed after his mother. Other months would also be renamed to reflect themes of flag, independence, and neutrality. Additionally, Niyazov expressed a desire to rename most days of the week, with Monday being called 'Main Day', Tuesday as 'Youth Day', Wednesday as 'Good Day', Thursday as 'Day of Blessing', Saturday as 'Spirituality Day', and Sunday as 'Rest Day'.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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