Another record for Turkmenistan – The Tallest New Year (Christmas) Tree in the CIS

Ben Crowley

Dec. 28, 2022

Turkmenistan loves a record, and we love Turkmenistan for it. In fact, so much so that we've written a whole blog just about their world records . From the largest indoor Ferris Wheel in the world to the most fountains in a single place. The largest building in the shape of a bird or the largest horse shaped structure in the world, Turkmenistan regularly ends up being one of the biggest and most audacious countries in the world. Turkmenistan has taken another record this festive season. Among the Commonwealth of Independent States, Turkmenistan has erected the tallest New Year/Christmas tree.

The Commonwealth of Independent States, commonly known as the CIS, is the successor to the Soviet Union and is a loose regional organisation of the newly independent republics. The CIS, when originally signed by Ukraine, Belarus and Russia, was meant to take on an almost state-like structure, but eventually became a relatively weak regional association with little agreement.

Due to their Soviet legacy, New Year rather than Christmas was the main yearly celebration. This is due to the USSR’s officially atheist status as well as an attempt to create a holiday which unified the different backgrounds which encompassed this massive nation. Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Christians, as well as Jews, Muslims and Buddhists just to name a few, all found themselves within the borders of the Soviet Union, and New Year was the holiday which they all celebrated.

This legacy has been handed down to the now independent republics of the former USSR, who erect New Year trees all across their countries. The biggest and fanciest one usually takes pride of place in the main square in each capital and this year is no different.

Not featuring on the list are Ukraine, who withdrew all relations with the CIS in 2018, after years in conflict with Russian separatists in the Donetsk region, while Georgia, another former member, left the organisation in 2008, after conflict in South Ossetia, which also happened to be Russian separatists.

Without further adieu, here is the list of New Year trees for 2022, in order from biggest to smallest, because obviously size does in fact matter: