Mongolian Calligraphy is listed by UNESCO

Mongolian calligraphy has become one of the four new elements registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding by UNESCO. All 24 member-countries of the Governing Board completely agreed on that during the 8th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which was held in Baku, Azerbaijan from December 2nd — 7th. Together with Mongolian calligraphy the list of UNESCO protected items was increased with Chovgan, a traditional contest among riders (Azerbaijan); La Paach, a Guatemalan ceremony and Empaako, a Ugandan tradition.

Classical Mongolian calligraphy is represented by 90 letters. Words are composed in a vertical manner with letters joined together.

Mongolian calligraphy was reborn in 1990s, the long-drawn period when Mongolia met with numerous repressions to democracy. According to the tradition, teachers choose the best students and taught them calligraphy for five to eight years. Currently, there are only three elderly experts who continue to teach this art to about twenty young calligraphers on a voluntary basis.

G. Jargalsaikhan, Secretary-General of Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO and accompanying him delegates represented Mongolia at the session held in Baku. Mr Jargalsaikhan expressed a sincere gratitude to all for this decision and said that our heritage Calligraphy is now being recognized by the whole world. He also underlined tremendous efforts of Mongolian scholars, calligraphers and others to bring this heritage to the present day. He expressed a confidence that the government of Mongolia will preserve and develop Mongolian Calligraphy and pass it on to the next generations.

Traditional Manufacturing and Rites of Mongolian Yurta proposed by Mongolian representatives as the element to be listed will also be considered by the Governing Board within the session.

Mongolian Calligraphy has become the fifth heritage of Mongolia listed byUNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Mongolian Calligraphy is listed by UNESCO

Source: www.montsame.gov.mn