Altyn asyr, previously known as sovkhoz Tejen (in Russian: совхоз Теджен) or Bereket, is a city and capital of Altyn asyr District, Ahal Province, Turkmenistan. Its main economic activity is cotton farming. In 2022, it had a population of 13,660 people.
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 (sovkhoz) 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 granted a city-in-a-district status by parliamentary decree. The Altyn asyr District was shortly 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. It is reestablished on 19 September 2025.
People associated with Altyn asyr A director of the former state farm, Çary Hanamow (in ), wrote a memoir of his life and times. Hanamov was recognized as a Hero of Socialist Labor in 1976. Hanamov's son, Nurmuhammet Ç. 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, sovkhoz Tejen was the subject of cinematography.
Dependencies Altyn asyr has three dependent villages:
Altyn asyr, city:
Ak altyn, village Bugdaýly, village Maldarçylyk, village
References