Last week, an impressive farewell ceremony was held in front of the capital’s Palace of Children and Youth for the secondary school students, who were going to one of the most beautiful corners of Turkmenistan – Geokdere, to spend their New Year holidays. The event program included cheerful songs, vigorous dances and small theatrical performances. After the traditional leave-taking ceremony, the children proceeded to a procession of festively decorated buses and departed for the popular health resort located in the bosom of unique Turkmen nature. Upon arrival at Geokdere, 7,000 children from the capital and the country’s regions were given a warm welcome at 14 health centers. The children were greeted with spectacular theatrical performances with participation of Ayazbaba (Grandfather Frost) and Garpamyk (Snow Maiden). Here, in the winter residence of Ayazbaba and Garpamyk (where the children are always engaged in interesting leisure activities), their first day was marked with New Year parties that would be organized during the winter vacation as well. The eventful program of New Year celebrations prepared for the young guests of the health resorts includes cheerful dances around the beautifully decorated New Year tree, various intellectual competitions, educational and entertaining games, thematic contests with a prize presentation ceremony, and various concert programs with participation of our country’s popular musical bands. In the frames of the festive events, exciting New Year-related contests will be held. The contest participants will have to present the best costume and drawing to the judges; to appear dressed as Ayazbaba and Garpamyk and demonstrate their artistic skills. These events will be organized on the joint initiatives of the Magtymguly Youth Organization of Turkmenistan and the National Trade Unions Center. The children’s recreational activities program also includes sightseeing tours in festively decorated Ashgabat, visits to the National Wildlife Museum, the “Älem” and “Children’s World” Cultural-Entertainment Centers and other fascinating trips. Artists of the State Circus and the State Puppet Theatre have prepared spectacular New Year programs and performances for the children. Aimed at the development of children’s intellectual capabilities and improvement of their foreign language skills, interesting contests in the educational-entertaining format will be also organized during the winter holidays in Geokdere. The program of sports activities worked out in cooperation with the State Sports Committee is focused on competitions in table tennis, chess, checkers and national games to be held among the health centers.