Almost every household has magnets on their fridges.
There are many who would buy a fridge magnet from their trips abroad as a reminder of a memorable trip, whether it was a work trip or a vacation. Even there are ones who would collect the magnets and expand their collection with the help of their friends and family contributing to their collections.
One of those is Ch.Otgonbaatar, owner of the largest magnet collection in Mongolia.
He has been the keen collector for the past 50 years of the stamps, bank notes of 150 countries, newspapers and sports magazines. Even he has the collection of toothpaste boxes. He started the collection of sports magazine since 1970s in his students years.
"I came from Moscow where I have spent my student years with 20 boxes of magazines and my other collections, while other Mongolian students would have come back with furniture for their homes. Unfortunately, extensive part of my collection has been lost throughout the years with moving from one place to another."
His latest interest has become the magnets of the places he has visited and the tradition started back in 1999 during the family vacation trip to New York, USA. His first ever magnet was the magnet with the Statue of Liberty.
Currently there are over 4,000 magnets from over 95 countries displayed at his home on the fridge. 90 percent of this collection has been bought and brought by himself and 10 percent was gifted by family and friends and other colllectors of magnets.
Fridge magnets convey the culture and specifics of a country and becomes the face of the country. Therefore, Otgonbaatar makes thorough study before buying any magnet. He seeks for the most unique, meaningful ones and even can advise where one could find the cheapest ones.
According to him, it is the matter of choosing the magnets that conveys culture or gives the clear understanding of the specifics of a country, therefore, he seeks for the ones with images of historical events or locations.
Interesting study revealed that a person on average looks at the fridge 40 times a day. Then for Ch.Otgonbaatar it would be pleasant 40 times to revive the memories of every place he has been to.
"Thinking of it, it gives one a purpose, interest, aim and adds flavor to life. My collection is my asset. What makes me happy is my hobby."
There is Facebook group that gathers all the magnet collectors with 173 members, of which there are 50 active members who would contribute to each others' collection whenever there is a chance.
When one has a collection it is important that family members support. My spouse supports me a lot and even my kids would respect my collection.
He also appreciated that Mongolians are making it possible for the tourists to buy the magnets to convey Mongolian culture and lifestyle.
"With my hobby I always try to make others to have hobby and to have a purpose. I like to gift my friends and family with interesting items. My aim is to share my hobby with other and motivate others to have a purpose."
Almost every household has magnets on their fridges.
There are many who would buy a fridge magnet from their trips abroad as a reminder of a memorable trip, whether it was a work trip or a vacation. Even there are ones who would collect the magnets and expand their collection with the help of their friends and family contributing to their collections.
One of those is Ch.Otgonbaatar, owner of the largest magnet collection in Mongolia.
He has been the keen collector for the past 50 years of the stamps, bank notes of 150 countries, newspapers and sports magazines. Even he has the collection of toothpaste boxes. He started the collection of sports magazine since 1970s in his students years.
"I came from Moscow where I have spent my student years with 20 boxes of magazines and my other collections, while other Mongolian students would have come back with furniture for their homes. Unfortunately, extensive part of my collection has been lost throughout the years with moving from one place to another."
His latest interest has become the magnets of the places he has visited and the tradition started back in 1999 during the family vacation trip to New York, USA. His first ever magnet was the magnet with the Statue of Liberty.
Currently there are over 4,000 magnets from over 95 countries displayed at his home on the fridge. 90 percent of this collection has been bought and brought by himself and 10 percent was gifted by family and friends and other colllectors of magnets.
Fridge magnets convey the culture and specifics of a country and becomes the face of the country. Therefore, Otgonbaatar makes thorough study before buying any magnet. He seeks for the most unique, meaningful ones and even can advise where one could find the cheapest ones.
According to him, it is the matter of choosing the magnets that conveys culture or gives the clear understanding of the specifics of a country, therefore, he seeks for the ones with images of historical events or locations.
Interesting study revealed that a person on average looks at the fridge 40 times a day. Then for Ch.Otgonbaatar it would be pleasant 40 times to revive the memories of every place he has been to.
"Thinking of it, it gives one a purpose, interest, aim and adds flavor to life. My collection is my asset. What makes me happy is my hobby."
There is Facebook group that gathers all the magnet collectors with 173 members, of which there are 50 active members who would contribute to each others' collection whenever there is a chance.
When one has a collection it is important that family members support. My spouse supports me a lot and even my kids would respect my collection.
He also appreciated that Mongolians are making it possible for the tourists to buy the magnets to convey Mongolian culture and lifestyle.
"With my hobby I always try to make others to have hobby and to have a purpose. I like to gift my friends and family with interesting items. My aim is to share my hobby with other and motivate others to have a purpose."