Achkhabad (Turkmenistan) (AFP)

He multiplies strikes at bowling, teaches the gym or records music with his grandson: Turkmen state television has eyes only for President Gourbanguly Berdymoukhamedov, who cultivates a powerful cult of personality.

In the Sunday news broadcast, almost all the subjects are devoted to him: he oversees construction projects in front of managers taking careful note of each instruction, then poses while riding a horse at the racetrack before getting into his 4X4 White Mercedes to demonstrate its sports talents to an attentive audience.

In bowling, he does not miss a pin, in basketball, he scores without difficulty. Then at the gym, he taught flexibility to government officials. Staging that is reminiscent of some of the appearances of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Then comes the flagship subject of the program: nearly seven minutes showing the President of Turkmenistan in a recording studio with his grandson Kerim. On guitar, on drums and then on the piano, he composed a song, his eyes hidden behind smoked glasses and a smug smile on his face.

Watan Habarlary television hailed a song "bright and melodic" with "intense flavor and modern, deep sound". "This example of dialogue between the generations is important for the harmonious development and aesthetic education of Turkmen youth," she says.

Gourbanguly Berdymoukhamedov's media performances are frequent in Turkmenistan, one of the most reclusive and authoritarian countries in the world.

In recent years, he has notably composed a patriotic rap with his grandson, interpreted on TV a Christmas song inviting his fellow citizens to "play the melody of love" or even demonstrated his talents by shooting targets with a pistol while while riding a bike.

Mr. Berdymoukhamedov came to power in 2006 after the death of his fanciful predecessor, Saparmourat Niazov, who had erected a golden statue in his effigy that turned on itself to follow the movement of the Sun.

If the current Turkmen president has reversed some of Niazov's most incongruous decisions, he has set up his own personality cult.

He thus benefits from a golden statue in his effigy in the capital Ashkhabad and maintains almost absolute control of power over the media and civil society.

© 2019 AFP