“...Every year when the 31st of December neared, I couldn't wait to decorate my tree. Sometimes, even in the heat of the summer, just to reminisce this celebration, I used to take out all the ornaments to just have a look at them and then put back …” said a friend of mine who grew up in Ulaanbaatar.
I’m sure any child that is walking through the streets of this city would answer “New Year’s” if asked what their favorite celebration was. This is because Mongolians celebrate this day as festively as the traditional celebrations. It was from the 1940s when the people of Ulaanbaatar started to celebrate the New Year.
The season is about bidding farewell to the old year with its misfortunes and greeting the new year with happiness. Companies, organizations and friends spend a night in December celebrating together, praising those who had the most success. However, on the night when the new year comes, families gather all together around the table.
If you watch Mongolian movies made in the 80s, you’ll see a grey-haired old man with a trail of frost coming to see the children from the land of snow and ice. His gifts are candies, apples and mandarins, as mandarins had an important place on the table, just as important as the cake and a bottle of champagne. Apples and mandarins were expensive, rare items that were only available during New Years at this time.
“...It was when I was a little older, when I knew certain things.
When the bell rang and I ran to open the door, my father had dressed up as Father Frost, wearing a long blue cape, a white beard, a hat, walking in with a cane.
I immediately recognized him, but to not ruin the fun for my younger siblings, I acted as if I didn't. You wouldn't know how happy he was…” said my friend, continuing down memory lane.
For New Years, instead of Santa Claus, Father Frost visits Ulaanbaatar with his snow maidens. The image of the famous actor G.Gombosuren, who dressed up as Father Frost at New Years’ parties for 60 years from 1947 until his last breath, is ingrained in the minds of every Mongolian.
When the clock strikes 12, TVs in every home count down from 5 to 1 and fireworks are displayed not only on TV, but outside as well—that’s when they open the champagne. The head of the family wishes the best for his family and everyone makes a toast with a smile on their face.
In addition to these traditions, every business and company sets a holiday atmosphere during this time when the city of Ulaanbaatar is covered with snow. “Every year, I like heading to the State Department Store to see its decorations. Whenever I’m around there, I always stop by. The free space in the middle of the six-floor-building is completely decorated with New Year’s decorations,” said my friend.
Not just the State Department Store, there’s a tree set up at the Sukhbaatar Square, too. Tourists and locals alike have their pictures taken in front of the tree, cementing their memories of the season.
Sukhbaatar Square is a historic site located at the center of Ulaanbaatar, in the midst of busy traffic. On the 31st of December, people gather at the square to meet their family, friends and relatives. Sometimes, an ice village is brought to the square, and sometimes, an all-star concert is held. Although some of the people head home before the year changes, I’ve heard numerous stories about how some people were on their way home or even in the elevator when it turned midnight.
After the New Year’s countdown, young people go to dance clubs and have fun. The clubs each play distinct genres, such as live music and EDM. It’s funny how those who are over the “clubbing phase” watch a few New Year’s programs and then slowly drift to sleep because the channels only show New Year’s themed movies, shows and plays. The first day of the year is spent relaxing.
The girl sits in front of the Christmas Tree. The reflection of the glistening star placed on top of the tree, and the sparkling decorations shining like the stars in the sky, shines in her eyes. Only this day of the year makes her believe that she has come to a magical world. She sighs as she remembered that the highly-anticipated New Year’s is over. But she smiles and gets up soon after when she remembers the gifts ...
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“...Every year when the 31st of December neared, I couldn't wait to decorate my tree. Sometimes, even in the heat of the summer, just to reminisce this celebration, I used to take out all the ornaments to just have a look at them and then put back …” said a friend of mine who grew up in Ulaanbaatar.
I’m sure any child that is walking through the streets of this city would answer “New Year’s” if asked what their favorite celebration was. This is because Mongolians celebrate this day as festively as the traditional celebrations. It was from the 1940s when the people of Ulaanbaatar started to celebrate the New Year.
The season is about bidding farewell to the old year with its misfortunes and greeting the new year with happiness. Companies, organizations and friends spend a night in December celebrating together, praising those who had the most success. However, on the night when the new year comes, families gather all together around the table.
If you watch Mongolian movies made in the 80s, you’ll see a grey-haired old man with a trail of frost coming to see the children from the land of snow and ice. His gifts are candies, apples and mandarins, as mandarins had an important place on the table, just as important as the cake and a bottle of champagne. Apples and mandarins were expensive, rare items that were only available during New Years at this time.
“...It was when I was a little older, when I knew certain things.
When the bell rang and I ran to open the door, my father had dressed up as Father Frost, wearing a long blue cape, a white beard, a hat, walking in with a cane.
I immediately recognized him, but to not ruin the fun for my younger siblings, I acted as if I didn't. You wouldn't know how happy he was…” said my friend, continuing down memory lane.
For New Years, instead of Santa Claus, Father Frost visits Ulaanbaatar with his snow maidens. The image of the famous actor G.Gombosuren, who dressed up as Father Frost at New Years’ parties for 60 years from 1947 until his last breath, is ingrained in the minds of every Mongolian.
When the clock strikes 12, TVs in every home count down from 5 to 1 and fireworks are displayed not only on TV, but outside as well—that’s when they open the champagne. The head of the family wishes the best for his family and everyone makes a toast with a smile on their face.
In addition to these traditions, every business and company sets a holiday atmosphere during this time when the city of Ulaanbaatar is covered with snow. “Every year, I like heading to the State Department Store to see its decorations. Whenever I’m around there, I always stop by. The free space in the middle of the six-floor-building is completely decorated with New Year’s decorations,” said my friend.
Not just the State Department Store, there’s a tree set up at the Sukhbaatar Square, too. Tourists and locals alike have their pictures taken in front of the tree, cementing their memories of the season.
Sukhbaatar Square is a historic site located at the center of Ulaanbaatar, in the midst of busy traffic. On the 31st of December, people gather at the square to meet their family, friends and relatives. Sometimes, an ice village is brought to the square, and sometimes, an all-star concert is held. Although some of the people head home before the year changes, I’ve heard numerous stories about how some people were on their way home or even in the elevator when it turned midnight.
After the New Year’s countdown, young people go to dance clubs and have fun. The clubs each play distinct genres, such as live music and EDM. It’s funny how those who are over the “clubbing phase” watch a few New Year’s programs and then slowly drift to sleep because the channels only show New Year’s themed movies, shows and plays. The first day of the year is spent relaxing.
The girl sits in front of the Christmas Tree. The reflection of the glistening star placed on top of the tree, and the sparkling decorations shining like the stars in the sky, shines in her eyes. Only this day of the year makes her believe that she has come to a magical world. She sighs as she remembered that the highly-anticipated New Year’s is over. But she smiles and gets up soon after when she remembers the gifts ...
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