British Embassy Ashgabat organises Climate and Eco-Festival

The British Embassy in Ashgabat worked alongside young climate activists, volunteers and Turkmen eco-blogger, Gulnara Tayjanova to organise the festival, which took place on 9 October.

The festival welcomed everyone of all ages and featured an array of interesting eco-friendly activities. These included live entertainment, eco-friendly workshops for children, climate quizzes, flash mob dances, fun games, music and songs, guest speakers and presentations. There was also a screening of Sir David Attenborough’s film “A Life on Our Planet”.

Deputy Head of Mission of the British Embassy to Turkmenistan, John Hamilton opened the festival:

There is no doubt that climate change is a defining challenge facing our planet. Some climate change is now irreversible and our ability to influence the future has been reduced. But there is no doubt that we can avoid the worst if we act now.

All of you here today our valuable contributors to dealing with climate change. We are all agents of change – whether it’s through education, through use of science and technology, or by being innovators. Everybody can make an important difference by taking individual action in their own day-to-day lives.

Throughout the day, visitors learnt how to recycle and re-use plastic products, as well as how to manage waste. Guests also had the chance to taste and make vegan food, learn how to weave plastic rugs, and meet likeminded people and share their experience of being more eco-friendly. Eco-bags were also for sale at the event.

The festival was free to attend, but participants were asked to bring one used plastic bottle per person as an “entry fee”. Visitors could also bring toys, clothes and animal food for donation.

As a result, hundreds of people visited the festival with an intention to learn how to contribute to a more sustainable and green world.  The climate and eco-celebration ended with an awarding ceremony for the speakers, activists, volunteers and the competition winners.