MONGOLIA RECEIVES CERTIFICATE OF UNESCO

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia /MONTSAME/ A ceremony took place on Tuesday in the State Academic Ensemble of National Song and Dance to transfer the original copy of a Certificate of validation to the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO. This is the Certificate of validation of registering the Folk long song performance technique of Limbe performance - circular breathing for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, and it will be preserved in the State History Museum at the Mongolian National History Museum in accordance with an order given by B.Undarmaa, the Vice Minister of Education, Culture and Science. Ahead of ceremony, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage made a decision to register the piece of Mongolian intangible cultural heritage at its 6th session held on November 22-29, 2011 in Bali, Indonesia. At the ceremony, the Secretary-General of the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO Mr. G.Jargalsaikhan handed the Certificate to the government, and then underlined that Mongolia will bear a high responsibility to the world nations. Moreover, some Limbe players gave a concert, and then senior Limbe players N.Jambaljamts, a teacher at the Mongolian State University of Culture and Arts; N.Nyamjantsan, a teacher at the Music and Dance College of Mongolia; and S.Altansukh, a teacher at the Music and Dance College of Zavkhan aimag were awarded with the title Foremost Cultural Worker. As of present, the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage includes 133 countries. It was established in 2003, and Mongolia enrolled as a member in 2005. According to a report from the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, 27 pieces of heritage from ten countries are listed in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, and 232 pieces of heritage from 70 countries are listed in the Representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, so far. Since 2008, Mongolia has registered nine pieces of cultural heritage in the UNESCO lists. ** ** ** The Limbe is a side-blown flute of hardwood or bamboo, traditionally used to perform Mongolian folk long songs. Through the use of circular breathing, Limbe performers are able to produce the continuous, wide-ranging melodies characteristic of the long song. Players breathe in through the nose while simultaneously blowing out through the mouth, using air stored in their cheeks to play the flute without interruption. Single stanzas of folk long song last approximately four to five minutes. A single song consists of three to five or more stanzas, which requires performance of the flute to continue uninterrupted for twelve to twenty-five minutes. Traditional training methods used to acquire this technique include continuously blowing at a candle flame without extinguishing it and blowing through a straw into a glass of water. Limbe playing is characterized by euphonious melodies, melisma, hidden tunes and skilful and delicate movements of the fingers and tongue. The small number of bearers of the element has become cause for concern with a considerable decrease in groups and individual practitioners. This has been caused in part by the predominance of international musical forms and training systems. At present, the frequency and extent of this traditional element's practice are unstable with only fourteen Limbe practitioners remaining. Late L.Tserendor is a founder of primary structure of making a professional training program of playing Limbe with circular breathing for inscription. Also, outstanding music instrument players L.Tserendorj, L.Maam, and a State Honored Artist M.Dorj have significantly contributed to inheriting the piece of culture to the next generation. They have produced many famous Limbe players such as State Honored Artists M.Badam, Galsantogtokh, O.Batjargal, and D.Enkhtaivan. As of today, the professional training for playing the Limbe is being held by the Mongolian State University of Culture and Arts, the College of Music and Dance, and Zavkhan aimag-based College of Music and Dance. There is a small number of people who perform the Limbe with circular breathing. Thus, the Mongolia's Union of Limbe Players was established in 2007 with a purpose of developing the tradition of circular breathing of Limbe. B.Khuder