May 10, 2010

The weekend of May 7-9, 2010 hosted an unprecedented event in Mongolia, one that stirred the English-speaking expatriate community and francophiles across the country for several days.

Marking the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, the inaugural Franco-Mongolian cultural days took place in Ulan Bator. The capital played host to numerous events, drawing together prominent French and Mongolian figures from the literary and journalistic worlds.

Among the distinguished guests were:

• Yann APPERRY (Goncourt Prize winner for lycéens for Farrago and Médicis Prize for Diablous in musica; also author of theatrical pieces and opera librettos)

• Jackie BASTIDE (documentary filmmaker for France 2, Arte and Canal +, former film editor whose work has been widely awarded: Otaku, Chambre 107, Ourasi the Lazy King, Black Eagle)

• Philippe-Jean CATINCHI (literary critic for Le Monde newspaper and novelist)

• Alain DESJACQUES (professor of ethnomusicology specializing in Mongolia, writer and translator)

• Jean-Claude FASQUELLE (CEO of Grasset and Fasquelle publishing houses)

• Nicky FASQUELLE (former director of Littéraire Magazine)

• Patrick FISCHMANN (novelist, storyteller and singer)

• Michel FOLCO (Jean d'Heurs Prize winner in 1995 for A Wolf is a Wolf, photographer)

• Homeric (Médicis Prize winner in 1998 for The Mongolian Wolf, former hippodrome columnist for Liberation)

• Michel SETBOUN (photographer)

• Xeremia (Robert RESSICAUD and Philippe CURT, the two musicians composing the medieval ensemble Xeremia)

On the Mongolian side:

• Gunaajav AYURZANA (journalist and editor-in-chief of numerous publications, now writer, poet and translator; won the Golden Pen Prize in 2002 and 2003)

• Luvsandamba DASHNYAM (researcher, philosopher-economist and award-winning writer)

• Baatar GALSANSUKH (former journalist at Ardyn Erkh newspaper, editor of the weekly Notstoi Medee, and award-winning poet)

• Gombojav MEND-OOYO (professor of Mongolian arts and culture, writer and poet)

• Ts. OYUNGUEREL (adviser to the President of Mongolia and author, whose book The Monk with Green Eyes became the bestseller of 2008)

• B. SHUUDERTSETEG (filmmaker, translator, television host and award-winning author)

• Oyuunbadamyn SUNDUI (professor of Mongolian literature and language, writer and award-winning children's poet)

All these personalities gathered with the public at the National Opera House of Mongolia on Sukhbaatar Square for musical moments and various exhibitions, activities, symposia, televised debates, competitions and award ceremonies. The goal was to bring together two nations separated by nearly everything, including their alphabets, and perhaps prepare new translations of literary works in both directions, or initiate various literary projects.

The days began with award presentations for young singers, a spelling competition and young poets, running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Opera House, where Mongolian students competed in French-language tests, with a week-long trip to Paris awaiting the winners.

At 6:30 p.m., the French ambassador officially opened the book festival. This was followed by a concert from Altan Urag, a Mongolian group blending folk-rock with traditional Mongolian music. The evening was animated by a "Mongol Costume" parade, where magnificent traditional garments delighted the audience. Next came the Tumen Ekh ensemble, delivering long overtone chants followed by traditional music, Mongolian dances and an acrobatic number. The evening concluded with a performance by DJ Shaman, a celebrated Franco-Mongolian DJ and local favorite, to the delight of his fans.

Saturday evening brought the official celebration of the 45th anniversary of Franco-Mongolian diplomatic relations, accompanied by a medieval music concert from the Xeremia ensemble and a symphonic concert featuring artists from the National Opera House, conducted by Mongolian maestros J. Burenbekh and N. Tuulaikhuu.

On Sunday, May 9, at 11 a.m., the Tenggis cinema, in partnership with the environmental association Unagan Orchin, screened the free and Mongolian-subtitled documentary Home by Yann Arthus Bertrand. At 4 p.m., Adiflor, Bouquin Volant and Librairie Papillon distributed over 4,000 French-language books to the Alliance Française and Mongolian universities. Half an hour later, the Fasquelle Prize—honoring outstanding translation, publishing or promotion of French literature in Mongolia—was awarded to B. Hemedeh, a 70-year-old woman who served as a cultural attaché for Mongolia and spent her life teaching French.

As evening fell and the days drew to a close, the National Opera House presented Carmen (by G. Bizet) in Mongolian, performed by National Opera House artists under the direction of R. Ressicaud, assisted by P. Curt. The festivities ended at the Bistrot Français, where special menus had been prepared for the occasion.

Throughout these three days, continuous events unfolded. At Librairie Papillon, essential works of French literature (major classics, dictionaries, etc.) were sold for 1,000 Tugrigs (approximately 55 cents).

At the National University of Mongolia, debates were held on French-Mongolian translation and the theme "The Future of Mongolian Publishing and Globalization," reserved for professionals, though the latter debate was broadcast on the national television network.

On the second floor of the Opera House, free exhibitions were open to visitors. Michel Setboun's photographs were on display—works from over fifty Mongolian reportages. Also featured were the archaeological findings from Gol Mod, a Franco-Mongolian expedition since 2000 at the Hun necropolis of Gol Mod, 450 kilometers west of Ulan Bator. A documentary by French producer Novy, The Empire of the Steppes, chronicled the expedition from 2000 to 2001.

Rare books and antiquities assembled since 1990 by renowned collector Ayuzarna Altangerel, founder of the A&D Museum of Art in Ulan Bator, were also on display. An ancient Mongolian calligrapher exhibited his work and was happy to fulfill requests by inscribing names, proverbs and sayings on paper or sheepskin.

Mongolian publishers presented their latest releases and featured authors they wished to promote. Naturally, all the writers present—French and Mongolian alike—graciously signed books, but they were equally eager to communicate with one another, sharing experiences and insights.

Numerous organizations were invited to present their activities free of charge: Alliance Française, Goethe Institute, Association of Mongolian Teachers of French Language, Association of English-speaking Residents of Mongolia...

It was thus a first edition—well-attended and vibrant—that satisfied organizers, guests and visitors alike. One can only hope that such bridge-building events between our two cultures will continue in the future!

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Charlène Nomadays

SEO editor from the early days at Nomadays, now content manager and head of communications, Charlène has accompanied the adventure with passion and dedication since its inception. After seven years living across Asia—from China to Thailand, passing through Mongolia and South Korea—she has made travel her way of being in the world. A lover of words, nature and human connection, she strives to convey in her writing a thoughtful, engaged and responsible vision of travel. For her, each article is a bridge between curiosity, respect and wonder.