Turkmen President Bans Lip Synching

[matcom]

<snip>

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan --He has outlawed opera and ballet and railed against long hair and gold teeth, but now Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov is determined to wipe out another perceived scourge: lip synching.

Niyazov has ordered a ban on lip synching performances across the tightly controlled Central Asian nation, citing "a negative effect on the development of singing and musical art," the president's office said Tuesday.

"Unfortunately, one can see on television old voiceless singers lip-synching their old songs," Niyazov told a Cabinet meeting in comments broadcast on state TV on Tuesday. "Don't kill talents by using lip synching... Create our new culture."

Under Niyazov's order, lip synching is now prohibited at all cultural events, concerts, on television -- and at private celebrations such as weddings.

Niyazov has led the former Soviet republic for 20 years, creating a vast personality cult around himself and issuing decrees regulating behavior in all walks of life.

In 2001, Niyazov banned opera and ballet as not corresponding with the national mentality. Last year, he called for young people not to get gold tooth caps and urged authorities to crack down on young men wearing beards or long hair.

http://www.boston.com/news/odd/articles/2005/08/23/turkmen_president_bans_lip_synching?mode=PF

[Richardo]

1. Now *there's* a campaign issue I can get behind...

WTG, Turkmen-dude! :hippie::thumbsup:

[LynneSin]

2. Well I guess Brittney Spears and Ashlee Simpson will have to skip Turkey

Too bad we don't have that law here in the United States.

[underpants]

3. Backgorund on Niyazov-makes Kim Jong Il look normal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saparmurat_Niyazov

Niyazov is an authoritarian leader and is known for his massive personality cult. Believing Turkmenistan to be a nation devoid of a national identity, he has attempted to rebuild the country in his own image. He renamed the town of Krasnovodsk, on the Caspian Sea, Turkmenbashi after himself, in addition to renaming several schools, airports and even a meteorite after himself and his immediate family.

"I'm personally against seeing my pictures and statues in the streets - but it's what the people want", Niyazov said.


renaming the days and months after national heroes and symbols. January was renamed to Turkmenbashi, and April is named after his mother.

For example, in August 2004, he ordered that a giant ice palace be constructed in the middle of the desert country, although many observers have said that without some form of technical assistance it will be an impossible dream. He also announced two decrees, the first of which stated that television presenters were banned from wearing make-up as the president had difficulty telling male and female newsreaders apart.