Mongolian Living Heritage Day will be held on 17 October 2026 in collaboration with the School of Culture of the Mongolian National University of Arts and Culture (MNUAC), Mongolia, as part of the International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The event is conceived as an educational and participatory living heritage initiative dedicated to safeguarding, promoting and transmitting Mongolia’s intangible cultural heritage to younger generations. It brings together traditional knowledge, artistic practice, cultural memory, heritage education and intergenerational exchange within a higher-education environment.

The programme will present Mongolian Bii Biyelgee, horse tamga, ancient rock art, Khöömei, Morin Khuur, Urtiin Duu, Tovshuur and Tsuur, highlighting the relationships between movement, sound, music, visual symbols, oral knowledge and nomadic cultural identity.

A particular focus will be placed on Mongolian horse tamga and rock art as cultural expressions and sources of traditional knowledge, connecting ancient visual heritage with living cultural practices. Bii Biyelgee will demonstrate how cultural knowledge, identity and community memory are embodied and transmitted through movement. Traditional vocal and instrumental practices will further demonstrate the continuity of Mongolia’s living musical heritage.

The event will combine live performances, demonstrations, educational presentations, workshops and dialogue with students, young artists, teachers, researchers, tradition bearers and members of the community. Participants will have opportunities not only to observe cultural practices, but also to engage directly with practitioners and explore the knowledge, meanings and skills underlying each tradition.

One of the principal objectives is to strengthen intergenerational transmission, ensuring that young people have meaningful opportunities to encounter, understand, practice and continue living heritage. The initiative also aims to strengthen cooperation between heritage practitioners, arts educators, researchers and cultural institutions.

By bringing living heritage into an educational setting, the event seeks to demonstrate that intangible cultural heritage is not merely an object of documentation or preservation. It is knowledge in practice — embodied, performed, transmitted and continuously renewed by communities.

The event will contribute to raising public awareness of Mongolia’s rich intangible cultural heritage, encouraging respect for cultural diversity, strengthening heritage education and supporting the continued safeguarding and transmission of living traditions for future generations.

Programme 

1. Opening Ceremony – Welcome to Mongolian Living Heritage

Opening remarks and introduction to the International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and the objectives of the event.

2. Mongolian Horse Tamga – Symbols of Nomadic Heritage

Presentation on Mongolian horse tamga, their cultural meanings, symbolism, traditional knowledge and relationship with Mongolian nomadic identity.

3. From Rock Art to Living Heritage

Educational presentation exploring ancient Mongolian rock art and its connection with cultural memory, symbols, movement and contemporary expressions of living heritage.

4. Bii Biyelgee – Living Knowledge Through Movement

Traditional Bii Biyelgee performance, demonstration and educational introduction to movement vocabulary, cultural knowledge and community transmission.

5. Khöömei – The Living Voice of Mongolia

Live Khöömei performance and introduction to the cultural knowledge and vocal techniques associated with this tradition.

6. Morin Khuur & Urtiin Duu – Musical Heritage of Mongolia

Performance and educational presentation highlighting the relationship between traditional instruments, singing traditions, oral knowledge and Mongolian cultural identity.

7. Tovshuur & Tsuur – Traditional Instrumental Heritage

Live demonstrations and introduction to the instruments, performance practices and knowledge transmitted through traditional musicians.

8. Interactive Heritage Workshops

Hands-on educational activities for students and young people, including movement, traditional music, sound and cultural symbolism.

9. Intergenerational Dialogue – Learning from Tradition Bearers

A dialogue between tradition bearers, artists, educators, researchers and students on safeguarding, transmission and the future of Mongolian living heritage.

10. Grand Finale – Mongolian Living Heritage Performance

A collective artistic presentation bringing together Bii Biyelgee, traditional music and vocal traditions as a celebration of Mongolia’s living cultural heritage.

11. Closing & Heritage Commitment

Closing remarks highlighting the importance of safeguarding, practising and transmitting living heritage to future generations.

Text as provided by the organiser(s).