The Hero of Turkmenistan, People’s Artist of Turkmenistan, hailed as the Turkmen opera legend who created a plethora of magnificent characters on stage and won genuine love, recognition and respect of our people, singer Maya Kuliyeva died on 27 April 2018 at the age od 98. Maya Kuliyeva’s heart and soul were permeated with inspiration and creativity, love for life and creation. Her name is intrinsically linked to the history of development of opera in Turkmenistan. She was among those cultural figures who started the cycle of history of the national art of opera in the 1940’s. The beauty of Maya Kuliyeva’s voice, her artistic talent and dramatic skills helped the singer gain broad recognition. She promoted the Turkmen musical and vocal art through her songs during a world tour. Maya Kuliyeva was born on 1 May 1920 in Ashgabat’s district of Buzmeyin. 1938 through 1941 she studied at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory and graduated with a degree as an opera singer. She began her career in 1941 as a second-degree artist at the Magtymguly State Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet. From 1945 to 1992 Maya Kuliyeva was an opera prima; 1992 through 2001 she worked as a principal director, and executive director at the same theater. From 2010 she has been a dramatic actress, master of stage at Turkmenistan’s Magtymguly National Music and Drama Theatre The name and merits of Maya Kuliyeva will be forever remembered by the people of Turkmenistan. A singing Turkmen nightingale, Maya Kuliyeva received multiple honorary titles and awards: in 1943 she was named a Merited Artist of Turkmenistan and became a People’s Artist of Turkmenistan in 1952. Three years later, in 1955, Maya Kuliyeva was conferred the title of the People’s Artist of the USSR. For services rendered to our motherland, for excellence and invaluable contribution to the development of Turkmen art, Maya Kuliyeva was conferred the high title of the Hero of Turkmenistan and received the Altyn Aý gold medal. She was awarded the following commemorative medals: Türkmenistanyň Garaşsyzlygyň 20 ýyllygyna on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence; Garaşsyz, Baky Bitarap Türkmenistan; Türkmenistanyň Garaşsyzlygyň 25 ýyllygyna on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence; and Magtymguly Pyragy. In 2007, for mentoring the younger generation of artists, for longstanding conscientious and creative work, Maya Kuliyeva was honored as a recipient of Türkmeniň Altyn asyry, the Prize of the President of Turkmenistan The blessed memory of the loyal daughter of the Motherland, the Hero of Turkmenistan, Maya Kuliyeva, will always live in our hearts. May her soul rest in paradise, may Allah’s grace be upon her! Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, G.Mammedova, B.Abdyyeva, P.Agamyradov, D.Amangeldiyev, M.Chakyyev, Ch.Gylyjov, K.Durdymyradov, R.Meredov, M.Meredov, G.Myradov E.Orazgeldiyev.