QI - Ballet in Turkmenistan

The former president in Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov, was a very weird fellow. He made it illegal to perform ballet, just because he didn't like the sport. He insisted on having his face on many types of food (such as yoghurt), as well as other rather odd things. Alan Davies also makes some funny impersonations in this clip.
(the clip is taken from the "Biscuit" episode on the B series / Series B)

I do not own the rights to the clip.

BBC© 2004

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• qi
• bbc
• biscuits
• 2004
• series
• stephen
• fry
• alan
• davies
• rich
• hall
• dara
• o'briain
• arthur
• smith
• ballet
• turkmenistan
• illegal
• yoghurt
• saparmurat
• niyazov
• weird
• odd
• president

[aynazar]

it is not funny !! i know you clowns do this for money!! and you can do everything for for money !!

[Akfilm92]

@aynazar

It certainly wasn't fun for the people who lived under his rule, but I think it's fair to look back at it and think "can you imagine it was like that? haha". Don't you agree?

[majordbag2]

Is it wrong if the first phrase I thought of was "buttfucking"?

[Akfilm92]

@majordbag2

well no, Alan suggested that: "buggery"

[AtamyratTM]

He cared about his people, and the city named in his honor did not care.

[Akfilm92]

@AtamyratTM

I'd think people don't question such things after a time of dictatorial rule.

[KatarinaLehotska]

"Arrest that man!!....Is that a man??"

[abbas224]

@disgpd

That wasn't the reason at all. He made ballet illegal because he was a totalitarian wacko.

Niyazov was not a Muslim. Have you heard about the Ruhnama? What Muslim writes an autobiography and forces mosques to keep it as prominent as the Qur'an? This is blasphemy.

He created a cult of personality around himself and effectively forced people to worship him, much like Kim Jong Il. This is in violation of the Shahadah.

Obviously you know nothing about Islam.

[7CellarDoors]

@zakkozilla You are wrong. Its actually quite hilarious. Sad you dont fully grasp that though.

[Akaitsuki85]

"Beastiality? No its somthing weird" ehm..

[zakkozilla]

It is not fucking funny! Can't you just make much smarter jokes it seems to be you dont have enough brain to do that!

[usaturkmen]

Our former president was indeed the greatest person that out nation would ever known....he brought so much to people, to his country that no other would do!! He was completely dedicated in to bringing turkmen culture, traditions and regularities....and its not our point of view after living in dictatorship...that point our nation followed since the beginning of his reighn!!!

Rest in peace, Saparmurat Turkmenbashy!!

The Greatest man for greater nation!!

[turkmenstili]

The thing is that Ballet was not illegal or banned at all. Mr.President closed down theaters. Misinterpretation of things is not smart, people I look at it and funny thing is your illiteracy.

[irishgodfatherchris]

@raikespeare possibly although he was slightly (I use that to be polite) mad, he banned dogs from the capital because they smelt bad, he closed all regional hospitals, right-hand cars which had been converted to left hand drives were banned too as were make-up wearing female journalists and presenters there are more but just say one he banned men from having beards or long hair. I'm quite eccentric and I'm quite well known for being eccentric but he was well beyond that.

[Mr4evermad]

All of you fool clowns!!!

[raikespeare]

Do you think he was attempting to make a statement against the Russians? Considering the ballet is highly regarded in their culture? It would make sense if you were insane...

[strawberrymiss818]

'and there's a little town called quite contrary'

[AndTheWailers]

@bigdima3 Sarcasm, its humor.