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Concrete steps towards change, taken by G. Mend-Ooyo

Concrete steps towards change,  taken by G. Mend-Ooyo

Concrete steps towards change, taken by G. Mend-Ooyo

Mongolia is a country of rich historical and cultural heritage. However, in recent years the country is increasingly receiving international attention because of its underground riches. The mining industry is expanding and gaining more and more influence in the country. The exploitation of the mining sites has negative impact on the local environment – the nature looses its untouched character, rivers and waters dry out. The Mongolian people are standing up against these negative impacts by forming protest movements and organizing public demonstrations.

The programme “Suvdan Sondor”, initiated by the well-known Mongolian poet G. Mend-Ooyo, has in that respect a good reputation throughout Mongolia.

Within the framework of the “Suvdan Sondor” programme, a team of writers, journalists, composers, painters and scientists from many scientific fields travels the country to do research. Along these expeditions, they make new discoveries and gain new insights and ideas.

Last August, the ninth “Suvdan Sondor” tour took place. The tour covered 2000 km through the wilderness of Dariganga, an ancient area in the south-east of Sükhbaatar province. Dariganga happens to be the birthplace of the poet G. Mend-Ooyo. He has devoted many years to introducing and promoting the ethnographic culture of this border region. He has written “Altan Ovoo”, a novel about Dariganga; “Blue sutra of Dariganga”, a collection of essays on Dariganga; and non-fiction books such as “Oral literature of Daringanga” and “Silver art of Dariganga”.

 

During this latest “Suvdan Sondor” tour, G.Mend-Ooyo undertook several concrete steps to promote the protection and restoration of the local environment and indigenous culture. The team planted trees on Shiliin Bogd, a mountain worshipped by Mongolian men. On the banks of Lake Ganga, a paradise for swans, the team held a meeting discussing the current state and the future of the ecology of Lake Ganga. On the southern face of legendary Altan Ovoo hill, poetry was dedicated to this holy place of worship. And in Ongon, a “Day of nomadic customs” was organized.

While working at Hörgiin Höndii in Dariganga, the team of “Suvdan Sondor 9” discovered a more than 1000 years old “Stone Man”, which provides new information for science.

A scientific conference on the “History, culture, nature and ecology of Dariganga” was convened on the southern face of Altan Ovoo hill. The conference contributed immensely to the research studies on this area.

Engaging in and organizing such activities to research and protect the ecology, history and culture of the Mongolian wilderness – the source of his poetry - is G.Mend-Ooyo’s way of contesting the recent mining exploration and exploitation and industrialization and promoting the preservation and protection of the untouched character of the Mongolian wilderness.

He believes that change can be brought about by influencing public opinion in a positive and gentle fashion instead of through negative confrontation and disagreement.

 
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