Mongolia’s 800-year celebration is marked by sporting events, such as archery and horseback riding, mixed with theatre and exhibitions.

Mongolia has undergone extreme changes during the course of its history. Now, after 800 years of statehood, the nation is planning celebrations which last all throughout 2006

In the 13th century the infamous Genghis Khan consolidated several Mongolian tribes under his rule creating what was then the largest empire in the world. While times and politics have changed, Mongolia remains a country which holds fast to its heritage.

As the UN recognizes 800 years of statehood and efforts to preserve nomadic traditions are stepped up, Mongolia has broken into a year-long celebration, where festivals, parades, theatre, and exhibitions saturate the calendar.

The opening ceremony on January 1st launched the presentation of anniversary stamps and postcards while February marked the opening for Genghis Khan, the play. In April there was a “Great Mongolia-800”, an art and handicraft fair. July will host the “History of Eight Cultures Parade”, while August sees festivals in Kharakorum, the former Mongolian capital, as well as reindeer herder festivals and shaman art performances. The festivities end on December 31st with a closing ceremony.

Aside from the incredible spirit of the people, Mongolia is considered to be one of the world’s best-kept tourist secrets. Located at the heart of Asia, its diverse geography includes mountains, deserts, forests and rivers. Dotted with hundreds of lakes, including the pristine Lake Xowsgol in the north, it is also home to the formidable Gobi desert. Geological, anthropological and wildlife tours guide visitors through nature and history, while nomadic civilization and sacred sites and traditions tours give travelers a firsthand look at Mongolia’s culture.

Ulaanbaatar, the capital, is the cultural and commercial center. Outside of the main cities people live as herdsmen in the traditional Mongol dwellings, the ger. Traveling through Mongolia means discovering its heritage and the magnitude, wonder and beauty of its natural landscapes.

For more information, visit www.mongoliatourism.gov.mn

Naadam: a unique and colorful annual festival

NAADAM, or competition, is Mongolia’s most important sporting festival, and revolves around the country’s most emblematic sports: horse racing, archery and wrestling.

The centuries-old three-day-long festival, held in July, is a ritual which honors the mountain gods, and during which people traditionally drink fermented mares’ milk and feast on cold meat pancakes, ice cream and fruit.

The festival has three parts. In the horse races, up to 1000 horses race through open grassland with child jockeys. Spectators sing songs, and the top five horses are honored through poetry and music.
In the archery leg, contestants dress in traditional costumes and use bent bows made of horn and bark. The winner is the person who hits the target the most times.

Wrestling has neither weight divisions nor time limits, and the loser is the person who touches the ground first. Winners perform the eagle dance after the loser takes off his jacket and walks under the winner’s arm.