The third gathering of "World Mongolians" Convention is to be held on November 3-5, 2008 in Vienna, Austria.

"All countries are keen to benefit from globalization as there is no way of remaining separate from this process. However, nations like Mongolia with smaller populations experience the negative consequences of losing their mother tongue, history and traditions and becoming absorbed in the mass resulting from globalization. Many examples exist where Mongolians, separated during various periods of history, have forgotten their national language and traditions. What culture and language will children of mixed blood in a family inter-married with foreigners have? If they do not know the Mongolian language, there is no point in talking about inheriting them national culture and traditions. How can we help them inherit their own culture and language? Our aim is to attract the hearts of these scattered Mongolians to contribute to safeguarding their mother tongue and culture," a Secretary-General of "World Mongolians" Convention D. Tsakhilgaan said in his interview with a MONTSAME reporter.
According to him, it is planned to arrange an event to illustrate Mongolia's culture and history during the third convention. The Mongol Costumes company is to put on a show of national cultural garments, and a photo exhibition is to be presented with the support of Mongolia's Embassy in Vienna. Through this exhibition, the process of Mongolia's move from a nature-based nomadic civilization to a sedentary civilization is also to be depicted. In addition, Mongolian songs are to be sung in Vienna and a shaman ritual is to be performed. The third Convention focuses on circulating information about present-day Mongolian in European countries, attracting Mongolians' attention, as well as Friends of Mongolia Societies and companies who are active within and with Mongolia. Discussion is to be generated about Mongolia's culture and its educational sector with special focus on cooperation in safeguarding and studying its language culture, script, history, culture and traditions; on expansion of cooperation in trade, economics and business; and on deepening relations in tourism and humanitarian spheres.
The Vice Head of the Sector in Europe, Baasanjav, a Mongolian living in a Austria as a citizen of that country, is coordinating the Convention, and the Swiss-Mongolian Society is also joining forces to arrange the activities.
The World Mongolians’ first Convention was held in Mongolia in 2006 as a part of marking the 800th anniversary of founding the Great Mongol Empire. The second one took place in 2007 in Russian Kalmykia under the theme “Cultural Days of Mongolia”.

 

Source: Montsame