Virgin has operated since 1997 in the 13th microdistrict. Culture A giant yurt-shaped building, Türkmeniň ak öýi ("Turkmen White House") was built for special events in 2021. The complex includes a concert hall with 3,000 seats and additional buildings, as well as a special sadaqah hall of the same capacity. Notable people Gulshat Orazmuhammedova (born 1974), Turkmen statesman Media The daily state newspaper Balkan is published in Balkanabat. Twin towns and sister cities Almetyevsk Sports The city features the Balkanabat Sport Toplumy stadium, at which is based the Nebitçi professional football club, which plays in the Ýokary Liga ("Upper League"). See also Balkanabat Stadium FC Balkan Railway stations in Turkmenistan References Populated places in Balkan Region Cities and towns built in the Soviet Union Populated places established in 1933