Naadam 2012 program Ulaanbaatar and countryside

Late Naadam 
Four Danshig (regional) Naadam events will take place in late July 2012.
27-29 July - Sukhbaatar aimag. 
27-29 July - Khui Doloon Khudag (west of Ulaanbaatar)  see map
28-29 July - Dundgovi aimag (near Mandalgovi, on the main road to the Gobi)
29-30 July - Bayan Olgii aimag.



Details for each sum (district) Naadam in Khentii aimag (province)  

Mongolia - Naadam 2012 - Program

Naadam festival, (11-13 July 2012), is the happiest time in Mongolia. It is also the peak of the tourist season. In Mongolian Naadam is known as "eriin gurvan naadam" (эрийн гурван наадам), meaning - the 3 games of men. The 3 games are horse racing, archery and Mongolian wrestling. Some call it the Nomadic Olympic Games. These games have existed for centuries and incorporate warrior skills.

The festival is performed throughout the country. The central ceremonies and competitions are held in Ulaanbaatar.
This year (2012) in UB there will be 512 wrestlers competing in 10 rounds, 420  of them hold a state title. Horses in six age categories will be dashing across the Khui Doloon Khudag fields.

All national events take place in the city, except horse racing, in the Khui Doloon Khudag race fields (west of Ulaanbaatar on the main road leading to Lun see map)

Cost $25
Tourists can buy tickets for the opening ceremony at the Ulan Bator stadium for USD25 from the Metropolitan Tourism Department or from hotels and tour operators. Tickets will become available for tour operators only after July 2nd.

Pre-Naadam archery events - at the archery field
July 07, 2012  10:00am Uriankhai (ethnic group of Mongolia) style archery
July 08, 2012  10:00am Buriad style archery
July 09, 2012  10:00am Junior archery

HORSE RACING 

At the Khui Doloon Khudag fields west of Ulan Bator see map

Transportation  to Khui Doloon Khudag (horse racing)

July 11-12 buses from the stadium to Khui Doloon Khudag
July 13 buses from the state academic drama theater to khui doloon khudag
July 11-13 buses from the Emeelt train station (east of UB) to the finishing line of the horse racing

Horse parades and  shows

July 11, 02:50pm-03:20pm
July 12, 07:50am-08:20am
July 13, 11:40am-12:10pm

July 10, 2012 Tuesday
08:00-10:20	Khyazaalan (four-year old) horse racing
14:00-16:20	Shudlen (three-year old) horse racing
July 11, 2012 Wednesday
08:00-10:20	Stallion horse racing
14:00-16:20	Ikh Nas (horses over 5-year old) horse racing
July 12, 2012 Thursday
07:00-09:20	Soyolon (5-year old) horse racing
11:00-13:00	Daaga (Colt or two-year old) horse racing
16:10:16:40	At the central UB stadium - President of Mongolia will present  prizes to the winners (children)
July 13, 2012 Friday   Mini Naadam by  the horse breeders and  trainers
07:00-9:20	Mixed breed Stallion, Ikh Nas (horses over 5-year old) and Soyolon (5-year old) horse racing
11:00-13:00	Mixed breed Shudlen (three-year old) and Khyazaalan (four-year old) horse racing
13:00-13:05	The Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia M.Enkhbold will open the mini Naadam festival
13:05-13:20	Cultural performance dedicated to the mini Naadam (special program)
13:20-14:20	First round of wrestling tournament
14:00-16:00	Mixed breed Daaga (Colt or two year old) horse racing
14:30-15:20	Second round of wrestling tournament
15:20-15:30	Cultural performance
15:30-16:30	Third and fourth rounds of wrestling tournament
16:30-16:40	Cultural performance
16:40-17:00	Fifth round of wrestling tournament
17:00-17:30	Presenting prizes to the winners of the horse racing
17:30-18:00	Sixth and seventh rounds of wrestling tournament
18:00-18:10	Presenting prizes to the winners of the wrestling tournament of the mini Naadam
18:10	The Head of the Union for Horse Racing Sports S.Baasankhuu will deliver a speech

STADIUM    

all events at the central stadium of Ulan Bator

July 11, 2012 Wednesday
11:00	The ceremony of presenting "Yesun Khult Tsagaan Tug" or the "Nine White Banners"
11:10	The President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj will give an inaugurate speech
11:20	Opening ceremony of the National Naadam Festival (special program)
11:50-15:00	First round of traditional wrestling tournament
13:30-16:00	Children's first round of wrestling tournament
16:20-18:00	Children's second round of wrestling tournament
July 12, 2012 Thursday
09:00-10:40	Third round of wrestling tournament
10:00-11:00	Children's third round of wrestling tournament
11:00-12:20	Fourth round of wrestling tournament
11:20-12:00	Children's fourth round of wrestling tournament
14:10-14:30	Ceremony of granting prize to the winners of the State archery tournament
14:30-15:20	Fifth round of wrestling tournament
15:10-16:00	Children's fifth round of wrestling tournament
15:20-15:30	The President of Mongolia will hand the prizes to the best archers and knucklebone shooters
15:30:16:10	Sixth round of wrestling tournament
16:10:16:40	The President of Mongolia will hand the prizes to the winners (children) of horse racing
16:40-17:10	Children's sixth round of wrestling tournament
16:40-17:20	Seventh round of wrestling tournament
17:25-17:45	The President of Mongolia will hand the medal and certification to a wrestler newly gained the "Nachin" or "Falcon" title (title given to a winner of sixth round in the traditional wrestling tournament), "Khartsaga" or "Hawk" (title given to a winner of seventh round)
17:50-18:20	Eighth round of wrestling tournament
17:50-18:20	Children's seventh round of wrestling tournament
18:25-18:40	The President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj will hand the medal and certification to a wrestler newly gained the "Zaan" or "Elephant" title (title given to a winner of eighth round) and "Garid" or "Garuda" (title given to a winner of ninth round)
18:45-19:20	Ninth round of wrestling tournament
19:30-19:45	The President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj will hand the medal, certification and prizes to the winner of the Traditionall Wrestling Naadam 2012
19:50	The President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj will deliver a speech closing up the ceremony of the National Naadam Festival, the 806th anniversary of the Great Mongol Empire and the 91st anniversary of the People's Revolution
20:00	Closing ceremony of the National Naadam Festival 2012, "Yesun Khult Tsagaan Tug" or the "Nine White Banners" will be transferred back to the Government House (special program) at the Central Stadium

ARCHERY    

all events at the archery field

July 10, 2012 Tuesday
10:30	Opening ceremony of the State Archery Tournament
July 11, 2012 Wednesday
13:30-14:00	National Archery show ceremony
14:00-17:00	State archery tournament
July 12, 2012 Thursday
9:00-14:00	The finals of the State archery tournament
14:10-14:30	At the central stadium - Ceremony of granting prize to the winners of archery
15:20-15:30	A the central stadium The President of Mongolia will hand the prizes to the best archers

ANKLE BONE 

Ankle bone shooting - at the Shagain Asar   (ankle bone tent)

Ankle bone, Shagai  (шагай in Mongolian)  is played with the ankle bone (knucklebone)  of a sheep. 

Pieces are flicked with the middle finger of one hand, along a wooden board (khashlaga = fence rail) held in the other hand. The goal is to hit a target piece over a distance of about 10 m.

July 10, 2012 Tuesday
10:00	Quarterfinals of the territorial knucklebone shooting tournament
July 11, 2012 Wednesday
09:00	Semifinals of the territorial knucklebone shooting tournament
11:00	Opening ceremony of the State knucklebones shooting tournament
12:30	Quarterfinals of the State knucklebone shooting tournament
July 12, 2012 Thursday
09:00	The finals of the State knucklebone shooting tournament
13:30	Ceremony of granting prize to the winners of the State knucklebone tournament
15:20-15:30	The President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj will hand the prizes to the best knucklebone shooters at the Central Stadium

SUKHBAATAR SQUARE   

All events at the  Sukhbaatar square – center of Ulan Bator

July 10, 2012 Tuesday
10:00-11:00	National Flag Day ceremony
12:00-12:30	Ceremony of showing respect to the Statue of Chinggis Khaan and wreath laying ceremony to the Statue of D.Sukhbaatar
July 11, 2012 Wednesday
23:00	Firework show

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Cultural events during Naadam

Horse parades and  shows
at the Khui Doloon Khudag horse race fields outside UB
July 11, 02:50pm-03:20pm
July 12, 07:50am-08:20am
July 13, 11:40am-12:10pm

Sukhbaatar’s Square  (city center)
July 13, 10:00am “Mongolia in Traditional Deel” festival

National Song and Dance Academic Ensemble
“Mongol Wonders” performance”  The program includes national dances, contortion, long song and tsam dance (Buddhist ritual dance)
July 09, 06:00pm “
July 11, 06:00pm, 08:00pm 
July 12-15, 06:00pm

State Academic Drama Theatre
Naadam Evening” performance by the Mongolian Grand National Orchestra
July 12, 08:45pm “

State Puppet Theatre (in Mongolian)
July 10, 08:00pm “The Son of the Sky” historical play
July 11, 06:00pm “Legend of the Green Tara” puppet play
July 12, 06:00pm “Friends of Brother Dondog” puppet play
July 11-13, 03:00pm “Mogjookhon Daagatai Jogjookhon Khuu”
(Jogjookhon Boy on a Mogjookhon Foal) puppet play

Independence Palace
July 11, 07:00pm “Beautiful Country of Mongolia” performance by the Horse Head Fiddle Ensemble of the State Philharmonic

Central Cultural Palace
July 10, 03:00pm, 06:00pm “Tsengeliin Manlai” State honored concert for the 2012 National Naadam Festival, the 806th anniversary of Great Mongol Empire and the 91st anniversary of the People’s Revolution
July 11-15, 07:00pm Comedy show by “Mask” production - “ASA” Circus
July 09-10, 06:00pm Mongolian traditional circus performance 

National Amusement Park
July 09, 11:00am “Mongol Dance” event
July 10, 11:00am “Ethnic Mongolia” event
July 11, 11:00am “Calligraphy” event
July 12, 11:00am “Traditional music and beat box” event
July 13, 11:00am “Traditional Clothing” event


 “Tumen Ekh” Ensemble
July 09-13, 2012  04:00pm, 06:00pm Traditional folk dance and song performance

 “Moonstone” Ensemble
July 11-13, 06:00pm “Wonderful Mongolia” performance

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Public transportation during Naadam

Public transportation
Public transportation will operate during Naadam, from 8:00 to 23:00
though a large share of buses will be diverted to serve the stadium and the horse racing fields.

Busses to the stadium
July 11-12 several routes will be extended to reach the central stadium.

Buses to Khui Doloon Khudag (horse racing)
July 11-12 buses from the stadium to Khui Doloon Khudag
July 13 buses from the state academic drama theater to khui doloon khudag
July 11-13 buses from the Emeelt train station (west of UB) to the finishing line of the horse racing

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What is open and what is closed during Naadam 

Closed shops
July 11-12 grocery stores closed
July 11-13 retail stores closed
July 11-17 Narantuul market (black market) closed
July 11-15 Khar Khorin market closed
July 13-14 street restaurants, cafes, fast food, pubs, bars, nightclubs, closed
(not including restaurants, cafes, etc. inside hotels)

Open 11-13 11:00-20:00
State department store open.
Nomin chain stores open.
Near the stadium and at the horse racing there will be plenty of fast food stands during the events.

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Countryside Naadam Events  

Naadam events will take place  in all aimags (provinces). Each aimag decides on the festival dates. These local events are aimed for the local communities.The dates might change, so ask before heading there.

What to expect
Tourists are welcome to join, but there are limited facilities.  Almost no English is spoken, there are no road signs and for the exact location of the Naadam celebration fields, your driver will have to ask around.

Gobi Naadam
Naadam at Mandalgovi this year (28-29 July) will be relatively large. Mandalgovi is a small desert town, half way between UB and the popular tourist destinations in the Gobi. The Naadam takes place about 1km south of the town in an open space. A few shade tents are set up, a few flags, the jeeps line up around, and you have a Naadam.

Click photo to enlarge

Naadam at Mandalgovi as seen from town

Mandalgovi Naadam (photo by Naimaldai)

 

Click on map to enlarge

Note: Govi-Altai moved to 8-9 July

List of countryside Naadam festivals
Dates, aimag name (and aimag capital city Latin / Cyrillic )
The events take place in open fields within a short drive from the capital city.

July 8-9
Omnogovi (Dalanzadgad / Даланзадгад)
Govi-Altai (Altai / Алтай)  (moved from 6-7 July) Thanks Munkhtenger.

July 9-10
Bayankhongor (Bayankhongor / Баянхонгор)
Dornod (Choibalsan / Чойбалсан)
Selenge (Sükhbaatar / Сүхбаатар)
Tov (Zuunmod / Зуунмод)
Khentii  (Öndörkhaan / Өндөрхаан)

July 10-11
Bulgan (Bulgan / Булган)
Govisumber  (Choir / Чойр)
Dornogobi (Sainshand / Сайншанд)
Orkhon (Erdenet / Эрдэнэт)
Ovorhangai (Arvaikheer / Арвайхээр)

July 11-12
Khuvsgul (Mörön / Мөрөн)
Zavkhan (Uliastai / Улиастай)
Darkhan-Uul ((Darkhan / Дархан)

July 28-29
Dundgobi - (Mandalgovi / Мандал-Говь)
This is a "Danshig Naadam". (several aimags together celebrating a large scale Naadam)
Bayan-Olgii - (Ölgii / Өлгий) Western aimags, also a "Danshig Naadam".

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Sum (district) level celebrations.
Within the aimags (provinces) each sum (district) celebrates it's own Naadam.
For example see the dates for each sum in the Khentii aimag. 
The sum Naadam festivals are celebrated on different dates, between 4th of July to 29th of July.

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National Anniversaries
The Naadam celebrations in 2012 commemorate the various anniversaries of the Mongolian state through history.

Celebrating the 2221st anniversary of the Hun Empire

The establishment of the Hun state (Xiongnu, Хүн улс) by Toumen in the 3rd century BCE marks the beginning of statehood on the territory of Mongolia.  His son Modu Shanyu conquered and unified various tribes. At the peak of its power, the Hun confederacy stretched from Lake Baikal in the north (Russia today) to the Great Wall of China in the south.

Genghis Khan

Celebrating the 806th anniversary of the Great Mongol Empire 
The Mongol Empire was founded by Genghis Khan in 1206. At the peak of its power, the Mongol empire stretched all the way to Europe.





Celebrating the 101st anniversary of National Freedom
During the collapse of the Qing (Chinese) Dynasty  in 1911, Mongolia declared independence.  Bogd Gegeen was enthroned as Bogd Khaan (Great Khan, or Emperor) of Mongolia on 29 December 1911.


Celebrating the 91st anniversary of the People's Revolution

Sukhbaatar and Choibalsan,
revolution leaders.

Under strong Soviet influence, the Mongolian People's Republic was declared in 1921. The revolution against the Chinese began on  March 18, 1921 when 400 volunteer troops led by Sukhbaatar attacked the 2000 Chinese garrison in Kyakhta at the northern frontier of Mongolia. The Mongolian People's Party troops and Russian Red Army troops entered Urga (Ulaanbaatar of today) in July 1921.

Celebrating 22 years of democracy
After the breakdown of communist regimes in Eastern Europe in late 1989, Mongolia began its own democratic revolution in early 1990, which led to a multi-party system, a new constitution in 1992 and a transition to a market economy.