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America Isn’t the Only Country with a Nutty President. Behold Turkmenistan’s Singing Dictator, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov

Turkmenistan’s dictator, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, is weird. He renamed the days of the week in his country after himself and his mother. He had a gold statue of himself that follows the arc of the sun through the sky. There is no free media in the country and most observers consider Turkmenistan to be second only to North Korea when it comes to self-imposed isolation. In other words, it’s not a fun place. Except when the president starts to sing.

As part of his campaign to get re-elected later this month–like that ain’t going to happen–he is out singing to his people.

And if he feels like it, he may bust out the DJ decks again.

So take heart, America. There is a weirder administration out there. More detail here.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38040 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

One thought on “America Isn’t the Only Country with a Nutty President. Behold Turkmenistan’s Singing Dictator, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov

  • What a crazy coincidence! Heard a speech from George Kourounis of Angry Planet fame yesterday who had done a special from Turkmenistan a few years back. Told exact same details about the leader. Never heard about the place prior to that!

    Reply

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