This “sweet” holiday in Turkmenistan has been celebrated on the second Sunday of August since 1994, when President Saparmurat Niyazov signed the relevant decree.

A day earlier, the Turkmen newspapers published the head’s of state traditional address to the melon-growers, farmers and all citizens of the country, in which he heartily congratulated the compatriots on the Turkmen Melon Day.

The history of melon growing in the territory of Turkmenistan is traced from the depth of centuries. Since the ancient times, the melon-growing was considered one of the important sectors of agriculture. The archaeological findings of melon seeds in the excavations of Gyaur-Kala settlement, Merv, prove that melon growing already existed on the Turkmen land in the antique epoch. Nowadays, the whole world knows and values such famous sorts of melon as “vaharman”, “gulabi”, “garrygyz”. Melons grown in other countries cannot yet compete with them.

As of today, about 500 kinds of this “sunny fruit” exist in Turkmenistan. It is laid on the dining table almost all year round in Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan is also famous for dried melon, the best in the world. Besides, melon is widely used in the confectionary, food and medical industries.

The Turkmen melon growers repeatedly won high prizes at imposing international contests for their workmanship developed in the course of centuries.

On this day, the festivities devoted to the “queen of plantation” are traditionally held all over the country. Colorful exhibitions and fairs are arranged in the cities and villages. The visitors are treated with products of the Turkmen melon plantations, and concerts are organized elsewhere. On the Melon Day, the main holiday exposition is held in Ashgabat and shortly before the holiday the countrywide melon growers contest was announced in the republic. Fifteen masters from all regions of the country were named its winners. The Food Industry Association of Turkmenistan issued diplomas for them and established valuable presents.