Fridy, Jly 05, 2013 16 THE MONGOL MESSENGER On July 11-12, the University of Culture and Arts, Arts Council of Mongolia, and METAA company (a South Korean Cultural Strategy Consultant Company) are organizing the ‘Awakening Steppe’ Culture Naadam on at Hui Doloon Hudagt, to showcase traditional Mongolian nomadic arts and culture for Mongolian and international visitors. Culture Naadam has been organized since 2008 with over 200 workers from the University of Culture and Arts, the Arts Council of Mongolia, and METAA. The 2013 Culture Naadam will focus on the UNESCO Intangible Heritage elements of Mongolia including such traditional cultural elements as the long song, throat- singing, bie bielgee dances, and folk music performances including ‘Traditional Mongolia’, ‘Classical Mongolia’, and ‘Modern Mongolia’. Mongolian painters and designers will alos be on-site to discuss and showcase their interesting works. Mongolian nomadic culture, lifestyle, and ceremonies will be exhibited through ‘A day in Mongolia’, with activity stations to explore arts and culture crafts, Mongolia’s different ethnic groups, ‘Giant Mongolia’ sculptures, traditional writing, felt, archery, face painting, and a children’s picture competition. ‘Culture Naadam 2013’ is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the Arts and Culture Development Foundation, the National Naadam Festival Organizing Committee, the Implementing Agency of the Mongolian Government, the National Children’s Ofce, and Khomiin Tal LLC. The International DOGAY Nature Shoot-out Competition has been held since 1995 in different cities and municipalities of Turkey. On May 16-19 this year, it was held in Niksar – Tokat, one of Turkey’s natural and historical treasures. The competition was organized by DASK; the Turkish Nature Research, Sports and Rescue Association, with the support of United Photographers International (UPI), Federation Internationale de l’Art Photographique (FIAP), Niksar Municipality, Arts Council of Mongolia, and the Turkish Embassy in Mongolia. There were 330 participants from 14 countries staying in the Niksar District for the contest. This event is particularly unique in that it only lasts 72 hours, so every participant has an equal opportunity to enter 3 photographs into 5 general categories. The goal of the DOGAY Photography Contest is to raise awareness of the value of historical heritage and pristine nature. This year Jargalsaikhan Batdorj was chosen to sit on the selection committee for the contest. He represents Shine Agshin NGO, and with support of the Arts Council of Mongolia, is the rst Mongolian photographer to participate in the DOGAY Photography Competition. The Turkish Embassy in Mongolia and Turkish Airlines generously sponsored his round-trip ight. Jargalsaikhan said being a jury member was a great exchange experience with a variety of inspiring international photographers, sharing knowledge about photography and learning about Turkish culture. All representatives gave photographic presentations of their home countries, so Jargalsaikhan showed the best photographs of Mongolia. In his opinion, this was a good start for better collaboration between the Shine Agshin NGO and Turkish photographers. On May 3, Z. Lhagvadorj’s ‘Romeo and Juliet 2’ musical made its rst debut on the Mongolian stage in Asia and established itself as a tour-de-force through its acting and composition. It will return to audiences on July 14 and 15 for an encore performance. Organized by the Classic Musical Production NGO with support of the French Alliance of Mongolia, the world-renowned musical ‘Romeo and Juliet’ was adapted into Mongolian from the original French Language for the Mongolian stage. The musical production consists of an art council team (15), stage production team (20), design and costume team (20), professional singers & artist team (70), marketing team (15) and administration team (10). The Romeo Juliet team has over 60 high-qualied singers & artists from the Russian school, 40 professional dancers, and a mini pop orchestra. This musical is the rst time that such high quality artists from opera, drama, and pop genres have united to put on a performance. Classic Musical Production NGO was established in 2009 with the mission to bring international classical music to Mongolia and develop Mongolia’s own music sector. The Mongolian Classic Musical Production NGO held three concerts in 2009, 2010, and 2011 to present a variety of world classic art for the rst time to the Mongolian public. These concerts demonstrated the range and expression of our musical productions and were well- received by Mongolian audiences. In these concerts an anthology of such international classic musicals as Romeo and Juliet, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Chicago, and Rudolf were performed. The ‘Romeo and Juliet 2’ Musical is proud to return t o the Mongolian sta ge for an encore performance, and the Production NGO is looking forward to performing at the UB Palace Concert Hall. More information is available by calling 89628822 or 91913230. Arts Council o Mongolia, Delta Foundation Center, I V foor, Tourists Str eet-38, Chingeltei District Tel/Fax: 976-11-319015 E-mail: [email protected] Web: ww w.artscouncil.mn AR TS COUNCIL OF MONGOLI A aRtS&CuLtuRE The Mongol Messenger is operated by the government news agency MONTSAME and is printed by the MONTSAME. Home Page: www.mongolmessenger.mn;E-mail: [email protected] ( ISSN 1684-1883) ‘ Aw akening Steppe’: Culture Naadam 2013 Romeo and Juliet 2 returns to Mongolia Musica l p ro duc tio n a dap ted int o M on gol ian lan gu age International photo contest held in Turkey Mongo lia n p hot og ra phe r sel ect ed as jud ge Culture Naadam includes activities such as a children’s art contest, giant sculptures and archery Cultural performers thrill audiences with traditional Mongolian dance