Ulaanbaatar, July 18, 2024 /MONTSAME/. Under the auspices of the President of Mongolia, the International Festival of Morin Khuur, a traditional Mongolian musical instrument Horsehead Fiddle, is taking place for the seventh time in Dalanzadgad soum of Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia, on July 16-22, 2024. Since its foundation in 2008, the World Morin Khuur Association has been regularly organizing this International Festival every five years.

The Opening Ceremony of the International Festival of Morin Khuur was held at the Musical Drama Theatre in Dalanzadgad soum on July 16, 2024. The Morin Khuur Ensemble of Mongolia, Recipient of the Supreme Decoration of the Mongolian State, the Order of Chinggis Khaan, artists from the Musical Drama Theatre, young Morin Khuur players, and traditional Mongol Long Song singers participated in the Opening Ceremony.

At the beginning of the Opening Ceremony, Member of the Organizing Committee of the 7th International Festival of Morin Khuur, Honored Culture Figure of Mongolia Sergelen Bold read out greetings from President of Mongolia Khurelsukh Ukhnaa to the participants, organizers, and guests and handed it over to President of the World Morin Khuur Association Jigjiddorj Nanzaddorj.

Jigjiddorj Nanzaddorj, President of the World Morin Khuur Association, said “This year, the International Festival of Morin Khuur is being held under the auspices of President of Mongolia for the first time. Remarkably, this International Festival is hosted in the rural area of Mongolia, Umnugobi aimag, which is home to many famous Morin Khuur players. The 7th International Festival of Morin Khuur features with three international contests, namely,  the Contest of Professional Morin Khuur Players, the Contest of Morin Khuur Enthusiasts, and the Contest of Morin Khuur Crafters taking place simultaneously with over 170 participants. This International Festival of Morin Khuur holds great significance in preserving, promoting, and developing the Morin Khuur.”

“The Morin Khuur is the only musical instrument inherited from our ancestors. I am grateful to be born a Mongolian. I have trained many Morin Khuur players. This year, I am 81 years old. When I first arrived in Mongolia, I was 40 years old. I am proud to see that the whole country, from the President of Mongolia to every Mongolian citizen, is honoring and developing the Morin Khuur. Therefore, I will also contribute to this vital endeavor. We must continue efforts to promote our invaluable cultural heritage, the Morin Khuur, to the world,” highlighted Chi Bulag, Famous Morin Khuur Player from Inner Mongolia, China.

Umnugobi aimag leads Mongolia with the development of the Morin Khuur. Numerous famous Morin Khuur players and crafters were born in the aimag. Therefore, to develop the Morin Khuur, a cultural heritage of the Mongols, Umnugobi aimag hosts national-level Morin Khuur competitions regularly.

Buyanbaatar Namkhai, Honored Cultural Figure of Mongolia, noted "Today, Morin Khuur enthusiasts, professional artists, and researchers from around the world have gathered in Umnogobi aimag, Mongolia. Representatives from the United States, Japan, Germany, China, and Russia are participating in the 7th International Festival of Morin Khuur. In countries such as the United States and many others, Mongolians have established Morin Khuur clubs to teach this unique musical instrument. The participation of children from these clubs is a highlight of this Festival."

According to the Mongolian President’s Decree on Honoring and Promoting Morin Khuur, the 7th International Festival of Morin Khuur is being organized under the auspices of the President of Mongolia. Morin Khuur players from many countries have come this year, expanding the scope of the Morin Khuur Festival. The Festival, a crucial impetus to promote and develop the Morin Khuur—a unique musical instrument with two strings and a national pride of the Mongols—has brought together more than 170 Morin Khuur players and crafters.