List the key activities that were carried out during this reporting period in order to achieve these expected results. Please describe the activities in detail and note their effectiveness or any problems encountered in implementing them.
1. In the framework of creating supportive legal environment on safeguarding of the tradition of Mongol Tsuur following activities have been implemented:
- In 2014 the National Law on Protection of the Cultural Heritage was renewed. The Article on promoting the bearers of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and its protection was specifically included in the law. Operational Directives on safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was created in the framework of the National law. For instance, follwing were aprroved: the Order of the Minister of Education, Culture and Science A151 of 2015.04.30 on “Development of the Operational Directives to identify, register and conduct studies and researches on the ICH bearers”; the 145th Resolution of Mongolian Government of 2016.03.07 on “Procedures of rewarding ICH bearers who have made valuable contribution in promoting, disseminating of the Intangible Cultural Heritage on national and international levels”. Also, following projects are in the process of being approved: “Procedures of rewarding ICH bearers who have made valuable contribution in promotion, dissemination of the Intangible Cultural Heritage”, “Procedures of examination of the ICH”, “Procedures of showing financial support to citizen, or leagal entity engaged in activities on safeguarding and promoting ICH” etc..
2. In the framework of development of Mongolian Tsuur studies, following works were implemented:
- Such studies and researches as “Basic studies of Traditional music of the Tsuur”; “Studies on researches of the Tsuur instrument”; “Studies on the Tsuur music archives and the methodology”; “Traditions and customs related to Tsuur music”; “Studies on in-class-training and apprenticeship-trainings of Tsuur”; “ Studies on inheritors of the Tsuur”; “Comparative studies on Tsuur and similar instruments” were made by “Hunnu Tsuur Union” NGO in close cooperation with Center for Cultural Heritage and the Institute of Arts and Cultural Research. The outcomes of the researches and studies were published and disseminated to general public.
- In 2016 the international festival and symposium “Studies of traditional art of Tsuur and similar musical instruments” was organized involving academics and heritage bearers from Mongolia, Tuva Republic, Kalmyk, Altai Republic of Russian Federation, Khakas, Bashkirstan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Turkey, Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. The results of the scientific conference were published and disseminated for general public and new generation of researches.
3. In the framework of formal and informal trainings:
- The signing of the Memorandum of understanding between Center for Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports and the Music and Dance College of Mongolia named after S.Gonchigsumlaa (Music and Dance Conservatory since 2017) in the school year of 2013-2014 had great influence to infiltrate the methods of professional classrooms trainings in the traditional apprenticeship training.
- In 2014, the Program “Mongolian Tsuur”, specifically adapted to the college’s features, was developed to be included in the curriculum of the Music and Dance College of Mongolia and four students (T.Baatarkhuu, M.Munkhbat, A.Mungunshagai, M.Unumunkh) chose Tsuur as their additional lessons. All four students who attended lessons of “Mongolian Tsuur” Program have graduated classes with the A rating and have successfully participated in the “First survey in the Central region on Traditional music of the Tsuur” organized on 27th November of 2015. M.Munkhbat was selected as best player.
- In the framework of the “Mongolian Tsuur” Program, during the school year of 2015-2016, 35 students attended the classes.
- Also Mongolian State University of Culture and Arts provides Tsuur and Khoomei lessons taught by bearer Mr. N.Sanjaadorj, since 2014, adapted to the university’s features.
- In 2016 the “Mongolian Tsuur Palace” was opened to with support from the Culture faculty of the Mongolian State University of Culture, to provide apprenticeship training, raise-awareness of Mongolian youth and to promote the heritage.
- The “Hunnu Tsuur Union” NGO organized series of apprenticeship trainings in the capital city and rural areas. The trainings involved: Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan, Erdenet cities; Zavkhan, Bayankhongor, Khovd and Uvs provinces.
- By today the Tsuur apprenticeship training is provided in 6 training centers and in 2 institutions.
- In the framework of the National Safeguarding Plan the training program with guide-book and training compact disc was developed adapted to the curriculum
- Under the auspicies of the governor of Khan-Uul district of the Ulaanbaatar city The Tsuur Music Club started it trainings in the Khan-Uul district’s Cultural center led by tsuur players Mr. B.Naranbat and G.Sanjaadorj. 44 students of elementary schools, from the district, participated in the trainings.
4. In the framework of supporting the Initiatives of the bearers, concerned NGOs, community-based organizations and professionals on promotion and transmission of the Tsuur tradition:
- In July, 2015 in honor of the famous tsuur player Mr. Paarai Narantsogt, in the framework of promoting his works, teaching features, with aim to strengthen the knowledge of tsuur and transmit the heritage to younger generation the “Daarai Natsagdorj of Altai Uriankhai’s First Tsuur Competition in the Western Region” was organized in Khovd province. Altogether 21 trainers and trainees, 5 bands have participated in the competition.
- In November, 2015 “Daarai Natsagdorj of Altai Uriankhai’s First Tsuur Competition in the Central Region” was organized in the Ulaanbaatar city. Altogether 11 trainers and trainees have participated in the competition.
- Form the Office of the President of Mongolia the Compact Disk of Tsuur player B.Naranbat “Masterpiece of Mongolian Tsuur” was published and disseminated to the libraries, schools and cultural organizations of provinces and city
- 2 documentaries, showing traditions and customs related to Tsuur were made and broadcasted through social media.
- Tsuur players N.Sanjaadorj, G.Nyamjantsan and B.Naranbat have participated as delegation from Mongolia, promoting the tradition of Tsuur, in the international festivals of traditional music organized in Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Turkey and China.
- With aim to support production of Tsuur, 5.5 million tugrik micro-project, to produce instruments for use in the classrooms, was implemented. The instruments are used by bearers N.Sanjaadorj, G.Nyamjantsan, B.Naranbat for their apprenticeship and school trainings.
5. In the framework of developing the registration-information general-database on the bearers, practitioners and trainees of traditional music of the Tsuur:
- Registration-information database was created on bearers, practitioners and trainees of traditional music of the Tsuur, and has been enriched every year:
Training centers: 6 apprenticeship training centers and 2 classes are functioning for Tsuur trainings.
Craft: 8 people are making Tsuur instruments. Those are N.Buyandelger, B.Naranbat, B.Zagdjav, N.Amartuvshin, N.Sanjaadaorj, T.Erdenebat, B.Buyanbat and G.Nyamjantsan.
Repertory: There are around 40 traditional melodies have been registered in the repertory of the Tsuur music. The younger generation is has started using the instrument for their compositions in accompany with different instruments, enriching the Tsuur repertory.
Bearers and apprentice: By 2017 there are 18 bearers and more than 170 apprentices are registered in the National registration-information database on cultural heritage.
Documentation: By 2017 there are 34 video films, HD recordings of 1200 hours length, 8000 pcs of documentation on traditional art of Tsuur at the National registration-information database on cultural heritage.