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The authoritarian government of Turkmenistan, which normally holds exuberant New Year celebrations, this week ordered residents of the capital city of Ashgabat to ramp down their festivities, banned state companies from holding New Year’s parties, ordered restaurants to shut down by 9:00 p.m., and even banned parties in private homes.
Radio Free Europe (RFE) on Friday noted the authorities gave no explanation for their sudden change in attitude. Citizens were baffled by the killjoy orders, which could do considerable damage to the restaurant and entertainment sectors, not to mention crushing the morale of a dour nation:
A restaurant owner in Mary City, the provincial capital, told RFE/RL on December 26 that the restrictions have hurt businesses and their employees.
“It doesn’t make any sense. These are the days when people want to hold private gatherings for New Year’s in restaurants and banquet halls,” the businessman said on condition of anonymity. He said the New Year’s celebrations are “one of the few occasions for people to have fun” in Turkmenistan, a poverty-stricken country where the government controls all aspects of people’s lives.
“State employees end their work at 6 p.
