The 2,234th anniversary of the founding of the Mongol state, the 819th anniversary of the Great Mongol Empire, the 104th anniversary of the People’s Revolution, the 35th anniversary of the Democratic Revolution, and the National Naadam Festival were celebrated with splendid ceremonies.

In this article, we delve into the key moments, remarkable highlights, and historic significance surrounding this year’s Naadam Festival—a celebration that not only honored Mongolia’s rich heritage, but also marked a rare diplomatic milestone and captivated audiences both at home and abroad.

A significant highlight of this year’s Naadam was the state visit by Their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan, who attended Mongolia’s most cherished national celebration. The esteemed guests witnessed the festival’s opening performance, toured the archery and shagai (ankle bone shooting) arenas, and enjoyed the thrilling horse races featuring young steeds at Khui Doloon Khudag.

The events received extensive coverage from Japanese media outlets, bringing widespread attention and positive promotion to Mongolia. The opening ceremony was masterfully directed by State Honored Artist N.Naranbaatar and featured over 2,500 performers. Among the memorable moments were a captivating morin khuur (horsehead fiddle) solo by four young boys, who enchanted the audience, and a humorous act called “The Walking Piano” that became a popular topic on social media. The equestrian displays also stirred great enthusiasm among attendees.