The president of Turkmenistan unveiled a large gilded statue in the capital of the Central Asian nation dedicated to his love of a regional breed of sheepdog.
President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov looked on as a ceremony for the 19-foot tall statue depicting an Alabay, a Central Asian shepherd that is a source of national pride for the country, was unveiled to the public in the capital of Ashgabat on Thursday.
An LED screen wraps around the statue playing a constant stream of Alabay videos. State media in the country called the statue a symbol of “pride and confidence.”
Berdymukhamedov has often given the dogs to foreign dignitaries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, as a token of his friendship.
The statue is an addition to another gilded monument unveiled in 2015 that featured Berdymukhamedov riding on the back of local Akhal-Teke horses, which are famous for their stamina and beauty.
