The uniting of Mongolian nationals could create a wonderful future

An interview with N.Jantsannorov two-time State Honored Artist and People's Artist of Mongolia, translated from the "Daily News" newspaper.

-We often talk about arts and culture. This time I want to talk about another topic with you. Ts.Elbegdorj, President of Mongolia made a decision to challenge Mongolians abroad to come back to the country. Do you appreciate that?

-I appreciate that decision. Some years ago I founded the ‘The World Mongolian Nationals, Culture, and Scientific Study Fund’ with foreign scholars. Our fund is for Mongolians who are living in foreign countries and isolated from the traditions, cultures, and heritage of Mongolia. I have traveled to several countries and met with many Mongolians. We need to pass our traditions on to them and for that to happen we need a state policy. For example, Khalimag and Khorchin people need a translator when they communicate but both of them are Mongolians. It's so regretful.

-So you cooperate with Mongolian nationals in cultural and scientific studies?

-That is it. I realized artists should provide cultural unity for Mongolians. Therefore, I founded this fund and we organize an assembly annually. Our fund has organized several symposiums on how to respect old Mongolian script, how to make dairy products, and the tradition of Mongolian wrestling.

-There was a Mongolian nationals wrestling competition held.

-Yes, there was. We have been organizing it for four years. At first it was held in Ulaanbaatar, then in Inner Mongolia, Buryat, and Tibet. Also, a long-song competition of Mongolian was held. 

Now we are working to honor scholars who do scientific research work about Mongolian nationalities, support talented youths, and organize teachers' exchanges. Mongolians need to unite in this period of globalization. I thanked the President for his challenge. Actually, presidents since the 1990s have been supporting my fund’s proposals and me.

-For instance?

-The first Mongolian President P.Ochirbat took charge of the Mongolian Nationals Long-Song Festival, which was the first festival. At that time living conditions in Mongolia were not easy because it had only been a few years since Mongolia had turned into a market society.
I was chosen as head of Mongolian Composer's Union in 1983. This means I was automatically chosen as a Head of the Mongolian National Commission of International Music Union through UNESCO. This was my first chance to introduce Mongolian art and culture to the world.
After that President N.Bagabandi made a decree to respect the horse-fiddle nationwide. I think it was an effective change for Mongolian nationals' view of music and heritage. The International Horse-Fiddle Festival has been organized since that time. N.Enkhbayar, two years ago, received ‘Altargana’ performers from Buryat at the ‘Mongol shiltgeen’ Festival.
-Many people are saying that President Ts.Elbegdorj's decree will be influential for the Mongolian economy and development. What is your opinion?
-In 2011, the concepts of National Security were re-confirmed. Mongolia needs to use the potential and intelligence of Mongolian nationals. I think the President knew this and his speech at the 100th Anniversary of the National Revolution had some kind of meaning for people. Generally, Mongolians who are living here should lead others from abroad with our intelligence and talent. There is another problem.
-What is it?
-Mongolian citizens and press agents look at each other as suspects and are jealous of each other when talking about politics and other issues. It makes for a difficult situation when a politician or a citizen says their opinion. I'm saying this on the record, to the public.
-N.Enkhbayar, the previous President said Ts.Elbegdorj's challenge was negative for Mongolian relations with our two neighbors. What do you think about this statement?
-I don't know what his statement was and I haven't heard about it. I can't give any certain answer to that question. Well, he thought it would hurt relations with our neighbors. But in my view it wouldn't. Each country has this experiment. We all know Kazakhstan also challenged its citizens to come back. Chinese people arrived to their mother country during the Beijing Olympics. The President only challenged Mongolians to come back. So, there is no problem between our two neighbors. When well-qualified Mongolian citizens from foreign countries arrive, our country will develop more. I’m imagining that kind of wonderful future.

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