A grandiose statue of the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was erected in the center of the capital Ashgabat, as reported by the AFP.

The sculpture is placed upon a 15-meter construction, resembling a mountain top. It has been constructed out of bronze and then covered in 24-carat gold. The President is depicted as a horse rider who is cheerfully waving his hand at the crowd at the mountain outskirts.

The name of the monument can be translated as ''protector'', which is also the name that the leader gave himself when he assumed office back in 2006.

Turkmen soldiers swore their fidelity to the Turkmen leader, while the national anthem was performed by a choir. Meanwhile, a flock of pigeons was released as the closing of the ceremony approached.

Curiously enough, President Berdimuhamedow was not present at the ceremony himself. Meanwhile, Parliament Chair Akja Nurberdi?ewa stated that the monument was constructed after a number of proposals coming from labor unions, regular citizens and other organizations.