The Annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival will be held outdoors on the
National Mall Wednesday, June 26, through Sunday, June 30, and Wednesday, July 3, through Sunday, July 7. More than one million visitors attend this free event. This year, for the first time, the entire Festival, will be devoted to one program: presenting the ideas, arts, and innovations developed along the ancient trade routes that crisscrossed Asia, connecting China with the Mediterranean. The Smithsonian will be contracting cultural liaisons to assist participants from the different cultural and language groups who will be coming from the Festival.

Cultural liaisons are people who are fluent in both English and one of the languages represented at the Festival. They serve as cross-cultural communicators between the Festival staff, other participants, and the public. Their primary function will be to build bridges of communication, create linkages between the Festival staff and other Festival
participants, and orient the participants to the Washington, D.C., setting and living environment. They will facilitate interactions in which a culturally sensitive approach is essential, will provide much-needed support in the hotel and at the site. It will be important for the cultural liaisons to play a key role in helping the participants explore each other's common heritage, especially since many of the participants will be traveling for the first time and will not speak English. Cultural liaisons will need to be available June 21 to July 9. They will be responsible for groups of 6 to 15 participants. They will be required to live at the hotel where the participants are staying during this time. Cultural liaisons will receive a modest stipend and room and board. Shuttles will provide free transportation to and from the Festival
site.

Requirements:

Spoken proficiency in one or more of the following languages: Kazakh,Kyrgyz, Russian, Tajik, Uzbek, Arabic, Turkish, Mongolian, Farsi, Bengali,Chinese, Hindi, Italian and Japanese. Knowledge of culture and customs of groups related to the above languages Energy, flexibility, sensitivity, and excellent interpersonal skills Familiarity with the District of Columbia and surrounding areas of Northern Virginia. If you are interested in applying to be a cultural liaison, or if you
know of anyone who is interested, please send your resume to Indrani de
Silva bye-mail Desilvai@si.edu

Deadline for applications: May 10

Aruina's Concert review

By Hayangarvaa, H

(NY Town Highschool, VA., May 5th, 2002). A famous Mongolian singer Aruinaa performed her concert at the New York town highschool auditorium, and approximately 300 Mongols ( including kids) participated her concert.

Okay, I'm trying to figure out how to start this review. I never had time to listen to Aruina's music until her show the NY town high school in VA. I personally enjoyed her concert very much but unfortunately, I really don't think she knows how to communicate with others (sometimes she looked a little lost). She's just look like any other an ordinary mid-aged Mongolian woman but she looked much better on the stage.

She opened the show " Modhon irnee", and followed with "Taliin Mongol". "Modhon Irnee" song got the crowd going, well, the music got the most people's attention. Her voice sounded great. For one part of show she was dressed up as a White Swan Lady, her outfit reminded me as a god mother or something. Her "Eros" image is totally gone, I guess because of her birth. She looked more like a lady. All total, she sang close to 18 -20 of her songs.

Well, after the crowd all rocked up for that, she broke into "Chamiag Bayatai Gej Helj Chadahgui". During the show, it was really funny watching her with the guys. She picked up dancers from the audience one of her a Latin type of song. Actually, her picked up dancers danced like professional dancers. Aruinaa was jumping and dancing all around. It was funny to see some guys freaking out over her. She has a lot's of great fans. Aruinaa's performance was spectacular and delighted fans of all ages. She sang all her hits. She made a very pleasant surprise for the kids. As the show progressed she seemed to open up and was her usual self, interacting with fans around the stage.

Aruinaa interacted with her fans like other performer. She is constantly hand slapping, joking, waving and signing autographs all while singing her songs. One special moment happened when she was brought all children to the stage.

So thank you Aruinaa! Sing more!!! Please Stick with your "Eros' image.

  

Meeting with the Member of the Mongolian Parliament
On March 30, 2002 Mr. G. Ganzorig, the Chair and Executive Committee members of the Mongolian Community in Washington DC Area have met Mr. D. Lundaajantsan, the Chairman of the Security and Foreign Policy Standing Committee of the Mongolian Parliament. At the meeting was present Hon. J. Choinhor, the Ambassador of Mongolia to the United States and some other Mongolian citizens in Washington DC area..[more]

Meeting with the U.S Immigration Lawyer Mr. Park

By Gombosurengiin Ganzorig

On April 14, 2002 the Mongolian Community's (MCWA) board directories have organized a meeting with an immigration lawyer Mr. Sang Kuen Park for local Mongolians in Vienna Virginia. Mr. Zamilan, who is one of thirteen members
of the Executive Committee, negotiated the place and meeting with Mr. Park. We were very thankful for his efforts for giving us such a tremendous opportunity.
First of all, Mr. Park provided general information on immigration issues and LIFE Act. Thereafter he opened floor for questions. Our folks asked a various questions
not only about immigration laws but also on different issues including the tax returns and et cetera. During this meeting continued more than three and both parties Mr. Park and participants had an very open discussion. The meeting which started at 6.00pm, lasted lately at 9.30 pm.

Minjee and Nomio's concert review

Below photos are taken during Minjin and Nomio's concert on April 21, 2002

[click on the thumbnails and the full size image will open to you. Use the "Back" button in your web browser to return.

By Hayangarvaa, H

Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of Minjin and Nomin, although I must admit that I really liked their DC performance. . This show really was an outstanding performance from Minjin and Nomin . That was the scene April 21, 2002 as Minjin & Nomin put on big, dazzling concert at Cicilia night Club. They were looking great up there. I was too tired of dancing over there because I danced almost whole 3 hours without resting as well as other Mongolians. I stunned their performance, hard work and great natural talent. Almost the most of guys were admiring their songs and everybody had awesome time.

Other special moments in the show was both singers truly thanked to Mongolian Community Washington DC Area staff members. Our MCWA managed their show in Cicilia night club. Minjin and Nomin managed to capture the interest of their audience and the fact that there was a mix of up-tempo and pop songs didn't remove the energy that night.

I really liked Minjin's her biggest hit, "Amragaa Huleesen Busguin Duu " was more like a stunt singing than a song. When My colleague sister listened that song she was almost crying because she misses her husband too much.

Minjin and Nomin appeared on-stage by wearing a very sexy western clothes. It was there that Minjin and Nomin seemed to be enjoying the show mush as their fans. Much of the crowd was on its feet for the entire 3 hours, singing and dancing. They were singed 30 songs without resting. Minjin finished with an encore of "Zaluu Nas" a great little electronic dance song with an awesome beat. But the most exciting moment of "Zaluu Nas" was every our fellow Mongolians are danced and rocked together. I felt they are a shimmering star for Mongolian teenagers.

On a personal note, it was great to meet some of the other Minjin and Nomin's fans that night. Also, our staff members took some pictures from the show. Please click the thumbnails and make the full size.

by Auyush Dagvadorj:

MONGOLIA SOCIETY MEETING IN WASHINGTON DC, APRIL 4-6

Mongolia Society's annual meeting in Washington, DC held in District of Columbia., April 4-6, 2002.

This special meeting was held on Thursday morning, April 4, at the Marriott Wardman Hote,l discussed the possibility of setting up a new research center in Mongolia under the auspices of the Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) and the Association for Asian Studies. The CAORC is a federation of 16 American overseas research centers in the Middle East, South Asia, Europe and West Africa.
If you need more information about CAORC visit at www.caorc.org.

CONTEMPORARY MONGOLIA
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: H.E. Ambassador J. Choinhor, Mongolian
Ambassador to the U.S.

PANELISTS: David Sneath, University of Cambridge, "Reciprocity,
Corruption and the State in Contemporary Mongolia";
Tumentsogt Tsevegmid, Independent Scholar, "Policy Making Challenges in
Contemporary Mongolia: Investment Requirements In and Financing
Government Programs";
Erdenesaikhan Naidansuren and Undral Batsukh, University of Idaho,
"Applications of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems
(GIS) as an Integral Part of Sustainable Development of Mongolia";
Christina Chan, Cornell University, "The Dismantling of Socialism: Case
Studies of Women and the Notion of Rights in Mongolia."

MONGOLIA IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
Chairman: Christopher Kaplonski, SUNY, Plattsburgh
PANEL LISTS: O. Batsaikhan, Central Historical Archives, Mongolia,
"Independence of Mongolia in 1911 - Tri-Party Agreement of 1915
between China, Russia, and Mongolia";
Stephane Grivelet, Universit des Antilles, "The Latinization Attempt in
Mongolia";
R. Baasan, Indiana University, and Alicia Campi, US-Mongolia Advisory
Group, "The History of U.S.-Mongolian Political Relations in the 20th
Century--the upcoming book and a review of the sources";
Charles Krusekopf, Austin College, "The Evolution of Mongolia's Foreign
Policy from 1986 to 1990";
M. Tegshjargal, Kings Foundation, Mongolia, "New era of Chinggis study in
Mongolia."

FRIDAY, 5 APRIL 2002

MONGOLIA AND THE NEW RUSSO-CHINESE FRIENDSHIP TREATY
Chair: Henry G. Schwarz, Western Washington University
PANEL LISTS: Tsedenbambyn Batbayar, Institute of History, Mongolian Academy
of Sciences; Teh-Kuang Chang, Professor of Political Science, Ball State
University; Jargalsaikhany Enkhsaikhan, Ambassador and Permanent
Representative of Mongolia to the United Nations; Henry G. Schwarz,
Professor Emeritus of East Asian Studies, Western Washington University.

MONGOLIAN STUDIES IN THE UNITED STATES
Moderator: Joyce Warner, Director of Academic Exchanges and Research
PANELISTS: Henry G. Schwarz, Professor Emeritus of East Asian Studies,
Western Washington University;
Christopher Atwood, Professor of Mongolian Studies, Indiana University;
Jim Wagenlander, Attorney at Law, Wagenlander and Heisterkamp, LLC,
Denver, Colorado

CONTEMPORARY MONGOL GROUPS
Chair: Alexey Ivanchukov, Mongolia Society Board of Directors
PANELISTS: Wurlig Borchigud, Humboldt State University, "Recreating
Romantic Traditions for Cultural Commodification in Inner
Mongolia";
Elza-Bair Goutchinova, Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, RAS,
"Post-Soviet Identities of Kalmyks";
Anna Bernstein, Independent Scholar, "Buddhist Revival in Buryatia:
Recent Perspectives."

ISSUES IN MONGOLIA
Chair: Elizabeth Endicott, Middlebury College
PANELISTS: Muradkasim Abdiev, Samarkand branch of Academy of Sciences,
"To the matter of Turkisization of Mongol tribes in The Central Asian
Interriver";
Michal Biran, Institute for Advanced Study, "The Chaghadaid Mongols and
Islam: The Conversion of Tarmashirin Khan (1331-34)";
E. Purewjaw, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, "On the didactic poem called
the Treatise entitled the Golden Chronicle, composed by Chinggis
Khan";
Gordon Jacoby, Neil Pederson, Rosanne D'Arrigo, Lamont-Doherty Earth
Observatory, "Characteristics of Long-Term Precipitation Variations in
Mongolia as Evidenced by Tree-Ring Analysis";
Elena Boikova, Russian Academy of Sciences, "Russians in Mongolia at the
End of the 19th - in the Beginning of the 20th Centuries";
Y. Munkh-Amgalan, Indiana University, "American Literature in Mongolia."

SATURDAY, 6 APRIL 2002
Program for International Studies in Asia (PISA), Pacific Affairs
Students Society (PASS) and the Elliott School of International Affairs at
George Washington University (Strong Hall Piano Lounge, 620 21st St. NW,
GWU)
KHALKHIN-GOL BATTLE: A PROLONG TO WORLD WAR
A Mongolian film documentary about the events leading up to and following
the 1939 battle with the Japanese at Khalkhin-Gol, Mongolia. Producer
Mr.Tudeviin Chimed. Screen writers Ts. Batbayar and B. Davaasuren. Film
in Mongolian. A flyer will be handed out with a brief summary of the
video in English.

The Mongolia Society and AAS joint panel
BEYOND NOMADIC AND SEDENTARY: SHARED DISCOURSES IN THE MONGOL WORLD
EMPIRE
Chair: David Gedalecia, College of Wooster
PANELISTS: Christopher Atwood, Indiana University, "A Singular
Conformity? The Origin and Nature of the Mongol Imperial Religious
Policy";
Bettine Birge, University of California, "Misrepresenting Tradition:
Mongol Influences on Chinese Social Legislation";
Abolala Soudavar, Independent Scholar, "The Han-lin Academy and the
Creation of the Persian Royal Library-Atelier";
Ron Sela, Indiana University, "Elevation Ritual in the Mongol Empire:
The Persian Perspective."
Discussant: Shelia Blair, Boston College

RECEPTION AT THE EMBASSY OF MONGOLIA

BORDERLAND ELITES, IMPERIAL CONTEXTS
PANELISTS: Ellen McGill, Columbia, Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted:
Defining the Banner in Ordos; Johan Elverskog, Southern Methodist
University, Songyun and the Tibet Question; Gray Tuttle, Harvard, Tibetan
Lamas at the Imperial Court; Li Ruohong, Harvard, A Tibetan Aristocratic
Family in Eighteenth-century Tibet: A Study of Qing-Tibetan Contact.
Discussants: Joanna Waley-Cohen, New York University, Mark Elliott,
University of California at Santa Barbara.

WARLORDS REVISTED: RETHINKING NATION AND REVOLUTION
IN FRONTIER CHINA
PANELISTS: Jonathan N. Lipman, A Double Virture: The Islamic and
Nationalist Agendas of Ma Fuxiang; Jiao Pan, An Yi Patriotic Warlord:
Long Yuns Ethnic, Provincial and National Politics; Wenbin Peng,
Recycling a Warlord: Liu Wenhuis Provincialism in Xikang; Uradyn E.
Bulag, Remembering the Great Friendship between Fu Zuoyi and Ulanhu, or
How to Write a Postrevolutionary History of Inner Mongolia?

The Mongolia Society Inc.
322 Goodbody Hall, IU,
1011 E. Third St.,
Bloomington, IN 47405-7005
E-Mail: monsoc@indiana.edu
Tel #: (812)855-4078 FAX #: 812-855-7500
Web: http://www.indiana.edu/~mongsoc

International Women's celebration in Washington DC Area

By Bilguun Batbold

Dating back when we were building communism with Soviet Union, we started to celebrate International Women's Day. The holiday has become one of our favorite holidays, and even after fall of communism we still celebrated it. This year was not an exception. On march 8th our Mongolian Community staffs and our Mongol folks celebrated International Women's day at Cecilia's Club in Arlington. Over 150 people participated in this event and all the men tried their best to make not only their ladies happier but also their moms, daughters and sisters. Some men sang dedication songs for their loved ones. Others announced their appreciation by inviting our better half to the dancefloor and probably whispering special words while dancing. Of course, flowers were everywhere. However, the most expensive bouquet was bought off of auction by one young man and immediately given to his lady. Finally, we would like to thank all of you who supported us and actively participated in our events.

Above these pictures are taken in during "Tsagaan Sar" Mongolian traditional holiday. More informations are coming soon.