Defender of the Fatherland Day (Turkmenistan) (original) (raw)

Defender of the Fatherland Day (Turkmen: Watan gününiň goragçysy) is a professional holiday for the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan (coequally known as the Turkmen National Army) celebrated annually on 27 January. It commemorates the de facto anniversary of founding of Turkmenistan's National Army in 1992 via the founding of the Ministry of Defense. The event is marked by military parades, fireworks and ceremonies all around the country. The holiday is perceived to be the Turkmen analogue to the Defender of the Fatherland Day in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States celebrated traditionally on 23 February. It was previously celebrated as Army Day until President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow changed its name in 2009.