NATIONAL CONTEST ATTRACTS OVER 1,000 TRADITIONAL SCRIPT WRITERS

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Winners of the national contest ‘Foremost Traditional Script Writers of Mongolia - 2017’ received their awards on January 8 at the National Modern Art Gallery, where the best works were exhibited to the public. The ‘Foremost Traditional Script Writers of Mongolia’ is an annual contest organized by MONTSAME agency’s ‘Khumuun Bichig’ newspaper, with an aim to select the best hand writers of traditional Mongolian script. More than 1,000 individuals representing 20 aimags and all nine districts of the capital city competed in seven categories of the 21st national contest, co-organized with the Governor’s Office of Chingeltei district. “The competition becomes fiercer every year. There are more contestants sending paint brush works to our contest, especially women,” said B.Elbegzaya, Managing Editor of the ‘Khumuun Bichig’, Mongolia’s first and only newspaper in traditional Mongolian script. Khuvsgul, Darkhan-Uul, Arkhangai and Tuv aimags actively participated this year with the most works being sent for the ‘Best Traditional Script Writer Class’ category, which challenged over 100 classes from all over the country. Six winners, including the teachers of a winner class in the above mentioned category, were rewarded with an overseas trip certificate. Four winners of ‘The 12th Grade Pupils’ were awarded with four-year scholarships in the National University of Mongolia and the State University of Education. More than 100 pupils submitted their works for the highly competitive category, most of which were brush works. Other categories of the contest include ‘Pupils’, ‘Adults’, ‘The Best Calligraphy’, ‘Professional Teachers’ and ‘Creative Work’. In addition, individuals and organizations such as Sh.Luvsanvandan Fund, senior diplomats G.Luuzan, Ch.Namchin and actress R.Ankhnyam sponsored the competition and rewarded some of the participants. For the first time in the contest’s history, a foreign citizen participated in ‘The Best Calligraphy’ category of the contest. Chinese national E.Tsolmon claimed fourth place in the category. The national contest attracts participants of all age, and not surprisingly, the eldest contestant was S.Jigmedsuren from Bayangol district whose age is well over 90, whereas the youngest contestants were E.Enkhgerel, A.Emujin and G.Yanjindulam, 3rd graders from Saikhan soum of Selenge aimag. Traditional Mongolian script is taught in secondary school starting from 6th grade. Last year, the 20th contest was participated by over 700 individuals from 19 aimags. Kh.Aminaa