Altyn Asyr, Turkmenistan
# Altyn Asyr, Turkmenistan

Altyn Asyr is a city in Tejen District, Ahal Province, Turkmenistan. Its main economic activity is cotton farming.

## Etymology

The words altyn asyr mean "golden age" in Turkmen. The phrase is used to describe the post-Soviet era of Turkmen independence, particularly during the reign of President Saparmurat Niyazov.

## History

The municipality was founded on the basis of the Soviet-era cotton-producing "Tejen" state farm. Following independence, state and collective farms were redesignated villages and towns. The Tejen State Farm was designated a town and initially named Bereket ("fertile"). In 2000 it was renamed Altyn Asyr ("Golden Age") and made the administrative center of a new district of the same name formed from parts of Sarahs District, Tejen District, and Kaka District. On 28 April 2016 Altyn Asyr was further upgraded, to city-in-a-district status, by parliamentary decree. The Altyn Asyr District was abolished by act of Parliament on 5 January 2018 and its territory was transferred to Tejen, Kaka, and Sarahs Districts. The city of Altyn Asyr was reassigned to Tejen District.

### People associated with Altyn Asyr

A director of the former state farm, Chary Hanamov (Turkmen: Çary Hanamow, Russian: Чары Ханамов), wrote a memoir of his life and times. Hanamov was recognized as a Hero of Socialist Labor in 1976. Hanamov's son, Nurmuhammet Hanamow, served as independent Turkmenistan's ambassador to Turkey and subsequently went into exile as an opposition leader.

## Transportation

Altyn Asyr is located between Turkmenistan's main east–west motor route, the M37 highway, and the P-7 highway that links Tejen and Sarahs.

## Appearance in motion picture

In 1969 the "Tejen" state farm was the subject of cinematography.

