Mongolia wraps up Naadam amid COVID-19
Naadam opening concert met with praise and contention
Due to the quarantine regime caused by COVID-19, this year’s opening concert of Naadam was forced to be performed without audience. Director B.Baatar, known as Hero, was appointed to direct the concert and to make a video content to promote Mongolia to attract foreign tourists. The public felt that the concert was quite watchable compared to previous years’ concerts. The following is a full review of the 2020 Naadam opening concert.
I’m not sure if the opening concert should be called a “concert”. It was more like a 50-minute music video with narration. It was no surprise that the opening was not performed live since there shouldn’t be any audience, according to government. The director and his crew took advantage of the situation and simply nailed the execution. The performance was shot in advance and was edited together to wow the audience with its new style.
Composer N.Jantsannorov said, “Previous concerts weren’t watchable for the people at home because of lack of advanced equipment for live broadcasting. This year, showing a video that is created in advance will give more opportunity to enjoy the concert.”
The concert started with dramatized shots of beautiful places in Mongolia in all four seasons, followed by massive khurai by performers and extras of the video. The main narrators of the concert actor Ts.Tserenbold and twotime winner of Bolor Tsom Poetry Festival B.Ichinkhorloo officially opened the concert with short poems. Ts.Tserenbold with his deep bass voice offered dignity and grandeur since he has so much experience working with voice recorders used for filmmaking. On the other hand, B.Ichinkhorloo’s high tone gave energy and liveliness to the narration. The contrast of the two voices continues throughout the concert, although some said they found it “annoying”.
The first performance of the concert was N.Jantsannorov’s “Munkh Tengeriin Khuchin Dor” performed by musicians of the Ulaanbaatar Ensemble and Mongolian Grand Theater of National Arts led by maestro conductor N.Buyanbaatar. He conducted the beautiful epic from horseback, which made it even more spectacular. A circus horse showed its training as it dramatically bowed before the performance, which went viral on social media. It was followed by Mongolia’s most revered ritual, the placing the Nine White Banners of the State. The cinematography and narration during the ritual was dedicated to underscore the importance of the ritual to Mongolians as the people in the background bowed to the state banners.
As is tradition, President Kh.Battulga walked onto the square protected by the honorary guard to open Naadam. He called on the people to stay united in hard times and mentioned the Naadam festival is the cultural immunity for Mongolians against globalization. Honored actor, opera singer E.Amartuvshin was given the honor of singing the national anthem at the opening.
Hero of Labor, Honored Athlete, Olympic champion N.Tuvshinbayar rode onto the square with a fancy Mongol knife and khet tsakhiur (flint strike worn at the hip) alongside with The Hu. He demonstrated how Mongolians use khet tsakhiur to make fire in a tulga (used for making fire in a ger). The Hu’s “This is Mongol” performance energized the concert and people on social media were talking about how the performance gave them chills, and joked that they don’t need caffeine anymore to stay energetic. The artists were holding bows from Khunnu era while performing. If Mongolia wants to promote the country to tourists with this video, The Hu’s performance will play a big part, given their newfound global popularity. Some 80 horses paraded during the performance in the shape of khas (swastika), which symbolizes the power of ethereal blue sky for Mongolians.
Khalmyk song “For Mom” performed by Honored Singer T.Ariunaa and opera singer G.Ariunbaatar was the beginning of the Mongol ethnic themed performances. The song was popularized by khalimag singer O.Tsagaanzam and he appeared on the video as the director honored him as one of the guests of the Mongol Tulgatny Zuun Erkhem (Hundred Noblemen of Mongolia) TV show. The two singers continued the khalmyk song session with “Sharka Barka” party song, while showing off their dancing skills.
The famous Buddhist Tsam dance was performed, featuring musicians from the ensemble and the grand theater. In some ways, the religious dance is nice to watch. However, some people criticized that there is no relationship between the dance ritual completely adopted from Tibet and Mongolian Naadam festival. People on social media were arguing over it and half of them enjoyed it while the other half explained how Buddhism was used to and is influencing Mongolia in terms of culture and tradition.
D.Jargalsaikhan, professionally known as Jagaa, from Chinggis Khaan band delivered performances of “Shigshregiin Ai” of the Durvud people and “Tooroi Tsagaan Elsen” of the Zakhchin people with folk singer D.Battsetseglen. People were talking about how Jagaa, once thought of as the “King of Mongolian Rock”, is now turning to folk songs.
It was nice to see Inner Mongolian wrestlers perform pre-match rituals during the performance since Mongolians usually see them as foreigners, or Chinese people. Unfortunately, and as expected, it divided people on social media, who argued over whether Inner Mongolians should be considered Mongol people. The conductors of the concert tried to tell people that Inner Mongolians share the same lineage as Mongolians even though they became an autonomous region of China during chaotic times. Some people on social media stated that “outer” Mongolians should accept Inner Mongolians as siblings and should be united. Jurai Gelden from Khotons gave a good Biyelgee dance performance, featuring State Prized dancer S.Sukhbaatar.
Honored Actor B.Sarantuya and singer
B.Altanjargal sang “Samgaldai” of the Tsaatan people in Khuvsgul and Uvs provinces. It was followed by “Jaran Tsagaan Aduu” song (globally known as Kongurey) of Uriankhai people, which caused another round of controversy. Uriankhai people were upset about how the singers performed the requiem as a festive song, dancing and smiling as they sang. The song is about the genocide of four Oirat peoples by Manchuria, and how those who survived were exiled. According to Uriankhai people, the song mustn’t be sung in a happy manner and as part of Naadam. The organizers of the Naadam opening concert and singers were heavily criticized for their lack of research and carelessness. It’s ironic that those who were given the helm to promote Mongolian culture to the world are uneducated or careless about the history and meaning of their culture.
Merited Artist Ts.Chuluunbat from Haranga band sang “Ser Ser Salkhi” written by great writer D.Natsagdorj. Young actor from the National Academic Drama Theater O.Maidarravjaa did an outstanding job portraying how drunk people act during Naadam in a very comedic way and it received praise from the public.
Ts.Sarnai from Sweety Motion, who has not performed on stage recently due to health issues, performed the Buryat folk song “Yokhor”. It was followed by probably the most Naadam centric song of Mongolia, “Tolin Khul”, performed by B.Dashdondog, G.Ariunbaatar, Ts.Chuluunbat, B.Batchuluun and Ts.Enkhmanlai as a closer of the 2020 Naadam opening concert.
This year’s Naadam concert was better than expected, yet could have been better. Wider angles of cinematography were naturally expected since it took place in the countryside. Unfortunately, we didn’t get that this year. It was heavily criticized for being too similar to scenes from B.Baatar’s film. Specifically the drunkdream scene from “Operation Tatar”.
Honorable mentions will go to actors from the National Academic Drama Theater, who played extras to create a festive Naadam atmosphere. Famous actors P.Tserendagva, S.Bold-Erdene and L.Demidbaatar were also a part of the concert. Dancers of the Mongolian Grand Theater of National Arts and Ulaanbaatar Ensemble also made a noteworthy performace. Choreography, execution and even acting was fantastic, and maybe this year’s concert was their biggest chance to show how good they really are since the live broadcasting rarely does them any justice.
Overall, most people who watched the Naadam opening were happy with it, according to social media posts. Director B.Baatar showed that he has potential to direct further Naadam concerts if the issue isn’t politicized. The theme of the concert was still a bit worn out but the execution, directing and form was wholly new to Mongolia. Next year’s concerts won’t be the same for sure if COVID-19 is thwarted. However, we can expect new things from future Naadams since B.Baatar’s opening concert provided a much needed catalyst for change.
This year’s Naadam concert was better than expected, yet could have been better. Wider angles of cinematography were naturally expected since it took place in the countryside...