To Mongolia — for the “Naadam”

Today, one of the winners of the “Erin gurvn naadn,” Saikhan Imeev, will set off for Mongolia. Recall that the “Three Manly Games” were held on May 29, on the eve of the start of the sacred month of Urs Sar. They included archery, belt wrestling, and horse racing. Saikhan won the belt wrestling in the weight category up to 85 kg.

“We are sending a delegation to the ‘Naadam’ for the first time, and we hope that this will become a good tradition, that all the winners of the ‘Erin gurvn naadn’ from our Central Khurul will travel to Mongolia and represent our people,” emphasized the senior administrator of the khurul, Yonten Gelung.

Let us note that the Central Khurul held the “Erin gurvn naadn” for the first time and is for the first time sending the winners to the Mongolian Naadam. This will surely become a tradition — all the winners of the “Erin gurvn naadn” will represent Kalmykia and the Central Khurul at the “Naadam.”

In Mongolia, the first day of the national holiday “Naadam” (“Nadom”), also known as Revolution Day, is celebrated on July 11. The “Naadam” festival itself lasts three days — from July 11 to 13. It is during these festive days that the “three manly games” take place.

The “Naadam” festival is a Mongolian midsummer holiday. The most significant events on this day take place in the capital of Mongolia at the Central Stadium. The holiday usually opens with an elaborate and beautiful ceremony involving dancers, wrestlers, and horsemen.

The “Naadam” festival is believed to originate from ancient military parades, when warriors demonstrated their skills to the public — horseback riding, wrestling skills, and the ability to shoot a bow. Such demonstrations accompanied various holidays in Mongolia for many centuries and were a very popular spectacle for the people.

Sometimes this holiday is called the Mongolian version of the Olympic Games.