Turkmenistan: The Marble Metropolis

For more than 20 years Saparmurat "Turkmenbashi" Nyazov ruled Turkmenistan with a tight hand, first as secretary-general of the Communist Party, later as president for life. His authoritarian regime involved a personality cult with divine characteristics.

The collection of golden statues of the man anywhere in the country, easily exceeds the amount of Lenin-bustes that once stood here. In cities, in villages and along the roads in between, the Turkmen citizen is continuously confronted with the image of the great leader. His motto "The People, the Country, Turkmenbashi The Great" is displayed on facades and roofs of those who want to show him their loyalty.