Turkmenistan celebrates Independence Day on 27 October 2008. Festivities were held on this occasion in Ashgabat which were attended by Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
By tradition, a flower laying ceremony was held at Independence Monument. The head of state laid flowers to the memorial which is located in the scenic park in the south of Ashgabat.
A military parade followed by a civilian part started at 10 am in the main square of Ashgabat. The parade was broadcasted live on the national TV.
All branches of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan took part in the military parade, including cadets who demonstrated excellent performance in theoretical, combatant and military training in the military college, military academy and police academy.
The contemporary military hardware of the national army was also demonstrated during the parade. These were columns of motor-rifle units and armored troops carriers, artillery units, mechanized rocket artillery, and anti-missile units. The parade participants and guests also saw Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters, SU-25 and MiG-29 attack planes that flew past over the square.
Turkmen President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Army General Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov attended the festive parade.
