President Ts.Elbegdorj concludes Russia visit

Kalmykia aspires to preserve the language and culture of Mongolia

Mongolian President received in Kalmykia On June 1, President Ts. Elbegdorj’s official visit to the Russian Federation continued in the historic city of Saint Petersburg. The President travelled directly from ‘Moscowsky’ train station to Piskarevsky Memorial Cemetery where he laid flowers in memory of the residents of the city who heroically stood up against enemy besiegement for nine hundred days during the Second World War. Residents and natives of Saint Petersburg are greatly proud of their heroic wartime history during which 1 million lives were lost in their city alone.

President Ts. Elbegdorj next travelled to the State Hermitage Museum which contains invaluable treasures and displays exhibiting the impact of Mongols in the history of mankind. This collection includes Hun Empire artifacts discovered during the Noyon Mountain expedition, the silver Gerege used in the times of Chinggis Khaan, a silver seal inherited through the lineage of Mongol khans and nobleman, diplomatic gifts and souvenirs sent to the monarchs of Russia in the 17th and 18th Centuries and so forth. The President of Mongolia also visited the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts at the Russian Academy of Sciences. The institute holds a total of over eight thousand pieces of manuscripts and other artifacts in connection with the history and culture of Mongols and their samples were presented during President Ts. Elbegdorj’s visit. The representatives of the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts stressed that when it was first established, the first research activities of the organization was on Mongol Studies.

The Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography named after Peter the Great was the next stop for President Ts. Elbegdorj’s cultural tour. The President was acquainted with rare and valuable articles and unpublished photos illustrating pieces of Mongolian history from the Mongolian section of the museum. The collection of the museum contains over forty-two thousand such photos representing different cultures of the world. President Ts. Elbegdorj’s official visit was remarked as of high importance as it opens new avenues of cooperation between academics of the two countries to cooperate in the field of Mongol studies and research of Mongolian historical and archeological artifacts.

President Ts. Elbegdorj visiting Gunzechoinei Monastery in Russia

 During the official visit, talks were also successfully held between the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and their Russian counterparts to put invaluable articles and other items up for public display and host joint research in this field. The same day, President Ts. Elbegdorj met with Ms. Valentina Matviyenko, the governor of Saint Petersburg city. The President underlined that his visit was not accidental because Mongolia wants to study all related valuable creations, findings and exhibits in Petersburg, show them to Mongolians, and exchange scientists and scholars.

“Mongolia intends to persistently support studying and saving rare valuables of Mongolian history,” he stressed.

Ts.Elbegdorj expressed satisfaction with keeping bilateral cooperation in the educational sector, noting the need to prepare energy, machines and mechanism industries experts.

In response, Ms. Matviyenko thanked the President for visiting their city and appreciated his proposal to cooperate in education, history and sciences. She said she wants to establish a partnership and cooperation agreement between the two cities. Then, Ms. Matviyenko sounded a proposal to host a business forum in Saint Petersburg to establish business ties between the cities.

On June 2, the President had breakfast with Mongolists at Hotel ‘Baltiishkaya Zvezda’ and expressed his support.

Later the President visited the summer palace of Peter, the Great, and the Gunzechoinei Buddhism monastery. Monks invited the President to the seat of honor, made offerings to God, and recited a mantra. The President gave them a Buddha statuette and wished them success in their deeds. The monastery was built in 1909 at the initiative of Agvaan Dorjiev and was funded by Mongolia’s 8th Bogd.

Unfortunately, it was completely destroyed in times of political repression but was rebuilt in 1993 with the sound help of Mongolians.

In the afternoon, President Elbegdorj left Saint Petersburg for Elista city of Russian Kalmykia Republic where he was cordially welcomed by Mr. Aleksey Orlov, head of Kalmykia; L.Ivanova, head of Kalmyk government; and A. Kochachko, speaker of the People’s Great Khural.

The President met with authorities of Kalmykia Republic, Mr. Orlov and some members of the government. Mr. Orlov said he believes the Mongolian President’s visit to Kalmykia will be a vital step to strengthen friendly cooperation between the people of Mongolia and Kalmykia and that it would also be beneficial for Russian, Kalmyk and Mongolian people.

Russian Academy of Sciences holds over 8,000 pieces of Mongol manuscripts and artifacts

In turn, President said, “I saw happy people and images of peaceful life while I walked through the garden to get to the Government House and conversed with Kalmyk people. It seemed very nice. For Mongolia, this year is full of wonderful historical anniversaries, the 2220th anniversary of foundation of first statehood, the Hun Empire, in Mongolian territory, 100th anniversary Liberation Revolution of Mongolia, 90th anniversary of People’s Revolution of Mongolia, 90th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Russia, 50th anniversary of Mongolia’s joining to the UN, 30th anniversary of joint space flight of Mongolia and Russia and 50th anniversary of cooperation of scientific academies. This year’s Naadam Festival will be celebrated more magnificently.”

“Compared to previous years, bilateral trade turnover increased 40 percent from 2010. We are willing to maintain and increase this growth. Kalmykia has many proposals and aspirations. We need to help to put the good initiatives and aspirations businesses and people have into action. Mr. Orlov said that Kalmykia’s beef is considered the best in Moscow. Therefore, a joint meat factory can be established in Kalmykia or Mongolia.

This visit aims at giving more force to bilateral relations and cooperation. I have held meetings with the Russian President and Prime Minister to discuss pressing issues and we were able to reach agreements.”

That day, a ceremony took place to present a Mongolian ger to Kalmykia in Elista, and a concert was given by Mongolian and Kalmykia artists such as the ‘Tulip’ national dance group, State Honored Artists of Mongolia, D. Sosorbaram and G.Ravdan, ‘Overture’, ‘Khosogton’ and ‘Shurankhai’ groups, and the ‘Ev Eye’ national song and dance group.

Later, the President held a meeting with senior people of Kalmykia. The latter expressed satisfaction with seeing the Mongolian President.

“We never forget that we are part of the Mongolians. We are doing a lot to save our language and culture,” they stressed, adding that state pays attention to it.

On June 3, the delegation led by the President paid tribute to the ‘Eternal Flame’ memorial place dedicated to Kalmyk soldiers who fought in the Red Army during World War II and visited the State University of Kalmykia to meet students and instructors. At the meeting, the President said, “I am so happy to meet Kalmyk students. Originations of language, culture and religion connect us. Mongolia has a long history of collaboration and relations with Russia. While conducting a poll about which country we need to have close cooperation, over 60 percent of participants preferred to have it with Russia. The words of people are a guide for us. We are willing to cooperate with Russia in new sectors. I hope my visit can give impetus to it. I hope you will have contact with Mongolians and support each other. This is our common wish and aspiration. I felt it when I met senior people. We are willing to have close relations with Kalmyk, Torguud, Tuva and Buryat people.”

Kalmyk students asked questions in Mongolian and Kalmyk languages.

At the end, the President presented scholarships to five Kalmyk students to study in Mongolia. The State University of Kalmykia bestowed the title ‘Honorable Professor’ to President Elbegdorj.

After the meeting, the President visited the Golden Monastery of Buddha and President Ts. Elbegdorj got au fait with ‘Oiratsky stan’ farm, near the Elista city of Russian Kalmykia.

The farm breeds cattle, horses and sheep. “The Kalmyk people left their homeland some 400 years ago but the cattle’s genes have not changed, they can adjust to any weather,” said farmer Ozaev. All the cattle have electronic chips in their ears to see information about their birth place, date, weight and registration number.

The farm breeds seven pedigrees of horses and sells them to Germany and France. The President had a cup of tea in the farmer’s home. His spouse Tatyana Ozaeva said she erects several Mongolian gers in the summer to receive foreign tourists. This was the last leg of the President’s visit to Russia and he returned to home country on June 3.

source: 'The Mongol Messenger' newspaper