Turkey, Turkmenistan to cooperate for TV series about Seljuk Sultan Alparslan

Interim Culture and Tourism Minister Yalçın Topçu paid a visit to Turkmenistan while the country celebrated the 24th anniversary of its independence and met with a number of officials, including President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. During the visit Topçu suggested that the two countries produce a joint television show focusing on the life of Seljuk Sultan Alparslan, which Berdimuhamedow responded favorably to.



Topçu suggested that the joint production be undertaken by Turkey's state-run broadcaster, Turkish Radio and Television (TRT), and Turkmenistan's state channel. Berdimuhamedow responded positively to the idea, according to a written statement from the ministry. TRT General Director Şenol Göka, TRT Avaz Coordinator Murat Akkoç, TRT Avaz Program Manager Nizam Şahin and Television Department head Tuncay Yürekli accompanied Topçu on his visit. TRT is planning to shoot the first episodes in Turkmenistan and later episodes will be filmed in Turkey. Both Turkish and Turkmen actors are expected to appear in the TV series. While in Turkmenistan Topçu also toured the ancient city of Nisa, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Turkmenistan National Museum. He finished off the trip by stopping at the mausoleum of Turkmenistan's first president, Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov, also known as Türkmenbaşy, and the Kipchak Mosque.