The Mongolian Lunar New Year

The Mongolian Lunar New Year (Tsagaan Sar) celebration, organized annually by the Mongolia Society at Indiana University, the Department of Central Eurasian Studies, the Mongolian Student Association at IU, and the Bloomington Mongolian Community, was held on February 14 at the Ferguson International Center. The event opened with welcoming remarks by Öner Özҫelik, Chair of the Department of Central Eurasian Studies; Susie Drost, Executive Director of the Mongolia Society; and Ayalguu Unensaikhan, President of the Mongolian Student Association at IU. Daniel Cotter began the cultural program with a melody on the morin khuur (Mongolian horsehead fiddle). Mongolian language students performed the Mongolian folk song “Цагаан сар,” the Buryat folk song “Алтаргана,” and the Kalmyk folk song “Ээжийн дуун.” Joshua Sims and Anton Ermakov recited spring-themed poems in Khalkha Mongolian and Buryat, along with their own English translations. Ochmaa Dahszegve also performed Mongolian folk songs on the Mongolian zither (yatga). Participants also performed the traditional dance “Журай гэлдэн” and presented a fashion show featuring traditional Mongolian clothing. There was plenty of food and drink, including Mongolian milk tea, khuushuur (fried pastries), and buuz (Mongolian dumplings). Participants enjoyed an afternoon of Mongolian music, poetry, and cultural celebration.