Melon Day facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melon Day |
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Melons and watermelons in Ashgabat
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| Observed by | Turkmenistan |
| Type | National |
| Date | Second Sunday in August |
| 2024 date | August 11 |
| 2025 date | August 10 |
| 2026 date | August 9 |
| 2027 date | August 8 |
| Frequency | annual |
| First time | 1994 |
Melon Day is a special national holiday in Turkmenistan. It's a day to celebrate the country's amazing melons, especially a unique type called the "Turkmenbashi melon." This melon is famous for its wonderful smell, delicious taste, and huge size! People celebrate Melon Day every year on the second Sunday in August.
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Celebrating Turkmenistan's Melons
Melon Day is a very important celebration in Turkmenistan. It honors the country's rich harvest of melons. This holiday was created in 1994 by Turkmenistan's president at the time, Saparmurat Niyazov. He was also known as Turkmenbashi, which means "leader of the Turkmen people."
Why Melons Are Special
President Niyazov believed that Turkmen melons were a gift. He once said that God made the soil of Turkmenistan perfect for growing the "tastiest fruits." He thought Turkmen melons had a unique taste, like something from a beautiful paradise. He also said, "The Turkmen melon is the source of our pride. Its taste has no equals in the world, the smell makes your head spin." This shows how much the people of Turkmenistan value their melons.
How Melon Day is Celebrated
On Melon Day, there are big celebrations in Ashgabat, the capital city. People put on a large display of all kinds of melons. You can see many different shapes, sizes, and colors of this sweet fruit. There are also fun dance and music events for everyone to enjoy. It's a day filled with joy and pride for their special melons.
Other Unique Holidays
Melon Day is one of many interesting public holidays in Turkmenistan. The country has about 24 national holidays. Some other unique celebrations include the Drop of Water is a Grain of Gold Festival, the Festival of the Poetry of Magtymguli, Good Neighborliness Day, Racing Horse Day, and Carpet Day. These holidays show the different things that are important to the people of Turkmenistan.
