Like everywhere else, New Year represents a public holiday in Mongolia, and it gives Mongols the opportunity to gather and celebrate together. Here's an amusing detail: January 1st is a non-working day in Mongolia. So if it falls on a weekend, it's moved to a weekday. Practical! In recent years, young Mongols have been tending to celebrate New Year in clubs and nightclubs, which offer numerous events and festivities for the occasion. Nevertheless, as is often the case in Mongolian society, traditions remain strong! Here's an overview...

1/ Sabering champagne on December 31st at midnight

Celebrations begin on December 31st with a dinner, usually served quite late. This traditional meal includes notably salads, buuz, cakes, champagne... Just like the French President, the Mongolian president Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj addresses the nation with a brief speech broadcast on television, taking care to list all the things accomplished during 2015. At the end of the speech, everyone raises a toast to wish each other the best for this new year that is beginning.

2/ The New Year tree decorated with money

In Mongolia, parents customarily decorate the New Year tree for their children. Thus, people who visit the family on January 1st take care to place money on the tree in order to give it as a gift to the family's child. Of course, if the family has two or more children, the money will be distributed fairly. The New Year tree has thus become a symbol of wealth and prosperity in the world (as well as a good way for the little cherubs to earn some money during the holidays!).

3/ In Mongolia, Santa Claus is Soviet

Mongols are known for celebrating New Year in the same way as Russians. Indeed, in Mongolia as in Russia, Santa Claus is better known as Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost). He is often depicted in the company of his granddaughter, Snegurochka (The Snow Maiden). He is depicted as a tall and thin man with a long white beard, wearing a long robe in blue and white colors. As for the Snow Maiden, it is said that she helps her grandfather distribute gifts to children, not at Christmas but at New Year!

4/ Fireworks at Genghis Khan Square

Should you happen to find yourself in Ulaanbaatar during this period, you can head to Genghis Khan Square to witness numerous performances, organized each year by the city. Among these, we can mention the famous fireworks, eagerly anticipated by many people and especially children who are allowed to stay up late for the occasion.

5/ Gifts for children

In addition to the money contained in the trees, it is customary for Mongols to distribute gifts to children on the occasion of New Year. Companies thus take care to give small presents to the children of their employees, and associations are created each year to collect money to offer gifts to children from the most disadvantaged families. Still within the context of the company, festivities also take place a few days before the countdown, in a room rented for the occasion. All staff gather in joy and good spirits for a festive dinner, mixing traditions (the Soviet Santa Claus notably), speeches and thanks from project managers, presentation of medals for the most deserving people (again Soviet heritage), music, dancing and fun games like musical chairs.... At Horseback, our staff could not have escaped the rule and it is with great pleasure that everyone gathered to organize and celebrate the event of the year! An opportunity to thank our entire team, the nomadic families, logistics, guides, drivers and agency staff. Even more prizes were awarded and we are proud to work all together! There's a brief overview of the festivities in Ulaanbaatar. Don't hesitate to share your feedback in the comments if you've already had the chance to experience New Year's Eve in Mongolia! All that's left is to wish you a very happy 2016, the Mongolian way: SHINE JILIIN MEND KHURGEYE !