Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov inaugurated a 19 feet tall golden statue of the Alabai breed of dog, on Thursday. It is a homebred variety and belongs to the Central Asian Shepherd breed of dogs. This has been installed in the country’s capital of Ashgabat. The new statue has been in the works for several years. Last November, President Berdimuhamedov, currently serving his second term, had unveiled a plan to build the statue though he had suggested that it be 15-metre in size.
The statue had been designed and built by Sargart Babayev, a famous architect, under the supervision of local firm Altyn. This is also surrounded by an LED display of Alabai puppies playing.
The former Soviet Union republic country considers dogs as a national heritage symbol, and this particular breed holds great value in their culture. The only other animal to have an equal amount of reverence is the Akhal Teke horse.
Notably, this is the President’s favourite dog breed. Last September, Berdimuhamedov also launched a book on the Alabais during a weekly cabinet meeting. In October 2017, he had even gifted an Alabai puppy to Russian President Vladimir Putin on his birthday. Needless to say, the internet at that time erupted into a volley of memes in connection with this.
Russian President Vladimir Putin receives puppy as belated birthday gift from Turkmenistan’s President pic.twitter.com/z5CcYVvX3f
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) October 11, 2017