Jean François Castell, a French filmmaker has produced « Journey Into Khöömii », his second documentary on Mongolian khöömii, which was in official competition in the Nila International Folklore Film Festival of India, organized in Kerala from October 29 to November 8, 2021. The film has received the Black Fire Award as the Best Long Film from the Festival.
« Journey Into Khöömii » traces the story of a humane deed shared by the khöömii tradition bearers and researchers, musical and scientific journey, and cultural dialogue in the globalization. About the film, Catherine Hiebert Kerst, Folklife specialist, Library of Congress, jury member of the Nila International Folklore Film Festival of India has expressed her impression on social media as following:
“A fantastic and incredible film, ethically documented and of much value to the rich cultural life of Mongolia. Kudos to the filmmaker and to Johanni Curtet's deep and thoughtful scholarship into preserving and protecting this distinctive musical style. The cinematography of sweeping vistas is also absolutely stunning.”
Synopsis
Since 2010, the Mongolian Traditional Art of Khöömii (throat singing) has been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. To its nomination dossier, the research of Johanni Curtet and his spouse, Nomindari Shagdarsüren, as well as the recordings published by their association, Routes Nomades have contributed.
Following this, Johanni and Nomindari have spent six years preparing a double-disc, An Anthology of Mongolian Khöömii, to become a key work of reference on khöömii.
In 2016, in conjunction with the release of the anthology, they organized a unique tour with 12 khöömii performers and musicians. Male and female masters, young and old, with diverse backgrounds and from different provinces of Mongolia spent two months together on the most beautiful world music stages in France and Switzerland. Based on the voluntary participation of these khöömii representatives, Johanni used their exclusive presence to conduct a research with C.N.R.S., Gipsa-lab and C.H.U. of Grenoble. The first-ever experience…
Journey Into Khöömii traces these intertwined stories: the foundations of an ethnomusicological, ethical and fair approach; the history of the tour from the inside; the scientific investigations; the mystery of khöömii, its deep relation to nature and its transmission; the restitution of the anthology in Mongolia during the summer of 2017 to the khöömii performers and to the families of deceased musicians present on the recordings; and the personal adventure of Johanni and Nomindari with the incredible individuals who enliven and advance the art of khöömii today.
This film is dedicated to Papizan Badar, a Tuvan khöömii master from Mongolia, who journeyed for the first time to perform in the West, achieving one of his life dreams.
Introduction to the Routes Nomades Association
Since 2006, Routes Nomades has been organizing various cultural, artistic and scientific events to promote the Mongolian culture and arts in the Occident. Through its activities, the association has brought a noteworthy contribution to raise awareness about Mongolia among the international general public.
Started its activities by the multifaceted events around the Mongolian khöömii (overtone singing) tradition, today, Routes Nomades has its own professional network with the prestigious world music venues and festivals, spanning from the Western, Northern, Central and Southern Europe to the North America and North Africa.
Over the past 15 years, Routes Nomades has invited the Mongolian khöömii masters and tradition bearers as N. Sengedorj, R. Davaajav, D. Tserendavaa, E. Toivgoo, B. Papizan, N. Ganzorig, Ts. Tsogtgerel, D. Batsükh, long song singer Kh. Erdenetsetseg as well as the music groups as Altaï Khangaï, Khusugtun from Mongolia; khöömii performer P. Ösökhjargal, B. Amartüvshin, long song singer S. Badamkhorol, horse-head fiddle player D. Mandakhjargal, N. Khulan, and the groups as Egschiglen, Khukh Mongol, Khatan and Gobi to the celebrated venues in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Turkey, Portugal, Italy, Norway and Morocco. Besides the Mongolian music concert tours and cultural activities in these countries, Routes Nomades has promoted the Mongolian traditional music and culture in the USA, Canada, Monaco, Great Brittany. Overall, the association has organized more than 200 concerts, over 600 khöömii courses and produced 4 records, which were the subject of 2 documentary films by the French filmmaker Jean-François Castell, keeping on going the promotion of Mongolian culture around the world.
Moreover, the association has a rich experience in conducting lectures, workshops and meetings on the Mongolian cultural heritage and khöömii in the Western cultural and scientific organizations such as museums, cultural centers and research institutes.
Routes Nomades is the official partner from French side responsible for the cultural and artistic programs related to the upcoming exhibition on Chinggis Khaan and Mongolia to be held in Nantes city, France in 2023.
Milestone events of Routes Nomades
- 2007 – Production of the « Dörvön Berkh » khöömii project, by organizing the first-ever concert and its French tour that focuses on the Mongolian khöömii, bringing together four great masters on the stage.
- 2010 – Elaboration of the nomination dossier of Mongolian Traditional Art of Khöömii to its inscription on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Johanni Curtet, researcher and artistic-director of Routes Nomades and Nomindari Shagdarsüren, specialist of intangible cultural heritage, under the supervision of Dr. Urtnasan Norov, General Secretary of the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO.
- 2010 – Co-production of the documentary film « Masters of Mongolian Khöömii » by Jean-François Castell. The film has been screened for over 300 times all around the world and gained an international recognition with 5 awards.
- 2013 – PhD dissertation defense entitled The transmission of höömij, an art of vocal timbre : the ethnomusicology and history of mongolian overtone singingby the ethnomusicologist Johanni Curtet at the University Rennes 2, making him thus the first foreign researcher to have defended a doctoral monograph on the Mongolian khöömii.
- 2016 – Organization of the international tour « Anthology of Mongolian Khöömii » by inviting 12 traditional Mongolian musicians. This work represented a group of 16 people, including 12 musicians, 3 managers and 1 filmmaker – traveled more than 25500 km for over 99 hours, around 2 continents, 3 countries and 11 cities to produce 60 activities that reached an audience of 9287 persons and 54 international and local media passed on the news.
- 2017 – Production of the double-album in three language « An Anthology of Mongolian Khöömii » as a transmission tool for this heritage. Became the main reference material on the Mongolian khöömii in the West, this disc has received eight internationally-prestigious awards and recognitions for now.
- 2017 – Research and experimentation on khöömii with the voluntary participation of the Mongolian khöömii masters and performers using the latest technology and MRI in a vocal laboratory in France, marking the first-ever interdisciplinary and large-scaled studies on Mongolian khöömii.
- 2018 – Reception of the UNESCO accreditation recognizing Routes Nomades as a non-governmental organization with proven expertise in the field of intangible cultural heritage, thus to provide advisory services to UNESCO related bodies.
- 2018 – Co-production of the documentary « Journey Into Khöömii » that traces back the humane story of Routes Nomades contributing to the safeguarding and promotion of Mongolian khöömii with the heritage bearers through its Anthology project.
- 2020 –Opening of the first-ever 4-year-khöömii-curriculum in Europe in the Conservatory of Aubagne city in France with the International Institute of World Music, marking the new page in the history of Mongolian khöömii.
- 2021 – Co-production of the album « Jangar » by Khusugtun group, that, despite of the pandemics, has gained a large-scale international recognition such as the celebrated Songlines Music Awards in the Asia and Pacific category.
- 2021 – Recognition of « Journey Into Khöömii » documentary with the Black Fire Award as the Best Long Film by the Nila International Folklore Film Festival of India.
- 2021 – The state recognition of “Nairamdal” (Friendship) medal bestowed by Mrs. Nyamkhüü Ulambayar, Ambassador of Mongolia in France, following the decree of the President of Mongolia, Khürelsükh Ukhnaa, upon Dr. Johanni Curtet for his precious contribution to the development of Mongolian studies and the promotion of Mongolian cultural heritage abroad.
Jean François Castell, a French filmmaker has produced « Journey Into Khöömii », his second documentary on Mongolian khöömii, which was in official competition in the Nila International Folklore Film Festival of India, organized in Kerala from October 29 to November 8, 2021. The film has received the Black Fire Award as the Best Long Film from the Festival.
« Journey Into Khöömii » traces the story of a humane deed shared by the khöömii tradition bearers and researchers, musical and scientific journey, and cultural dialogue in the globalization. About the film, Catherine Hiebert Kerst, Folklife specialist, Library of Congress, jury member of the Nila International Folklore Film Festival of India has expressed her impression on social media as following:
“A fantastic and incredible film, ethically documented and of much value to the rich cultural life of Mongolia. Kudos to the filmmaker and to Johanni Curtet's deep and thoughtful scholarship into preserving and protecting this distinctive musical style. The cinematography of sweeping vistas is also absolutely stunning.”
Synopsis
Since 2010, the Mongolian Traditional Art of Khöömii (throat singing) has been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. To its nomination dossier, the research of Johanni Curtet and his spouse, Nomindari Shagdarsüren, as well as the recordings published by their association, Routes Nomades have contributed.
Following this, Johanni and Nomindari have spent six years preparing a double-disc, An Anthology of Mongolian Khöömii, to become a key work of reference on khöömii.
In 2016, in conjunction with the release of the anthology, they organized a unique tour with 12 khöömii performers and musicians. Male and female masters, young and old, with diverse backgrounds and from different provinces of Mongolia spent two months together on the most beautiful world music stages in France and Switzerland. Based on the voluntary participation of these khöömii representatives, Johanni used their exclusive presence to conduct a research with C.N.R.S., Gipsa-lab and C.H.U. of Grenoble. The first-ever experience…
Journey Into Khöömii traces these intertwined stories: the foundations of an ethnomusicological, ethical and fair approach; the history of the tour from the inside; the scientific investigations; the mystery of khöömii, its deep relation to nature and its transmission; the restitution of the anthology in Mongolia during the summer of 2017 to the khöömii performers and to the families of deceased musicians present on the recordings; and the personal adventure of Johanni and Nomindari with the incredible individuals who enliven and advance the art of khöömii today.
This film is dedicated to Papizan Badar, a Tuvan khöömii master from Mongolia, who journeyed for the first time to perform in the West, achieving one of his life dreams.
Introduction to the Routes Nomades Association
Since 2006, Routes Nomades has been organizing various cultural, artistic and scientific events to promote the Mongolian culture and arts in the Occident. Through its activities, the association has brought a noteworthy contribution to raise awareness about Mongolia among the international general public.
Started its activities by the multifaceted events around the Mongolian khöömii (overtone singing) tradition, today, Routes Nomades has its own professional network with the prestigious world music venues and festivals, spanning from the Western, Northern, Central and Southern Europe to the North America and North Africa.
Over the past 15 years, Routes Nomades has invited the Mongolian khöömii masters and tradition bearers as N. Sengedorj, R. Davaajav, D. Tserendavaa, E. Toivgoo, B. Papizan, N. Ganzorig, Ts. Tsogtgerel, D. Batsükh, long song singer Kh. Erdenetsetseg as well as the music groups as Altaï Khangaï, Khusugtun from Mongolia; khöömii performer P. Ösökhjargal, B. Amartüvshin, long song singer S. Badamkhorol, horse-head fiddle player D. Mandakhjargal, N. Khulan, and the groups as Egschiglen, Khukh Mongol, Khatan and Gobi to the celebrated venues in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Turkey, Portugal, Italy, Norway and Morocco. Besides the Mongolian music concert tours and cultural activities in these countries, Routes Nomades has promoted the Mongolian traditional music and culture in the USA, Canada, Monaco, Great Brittany. Overall, the association has organized more than 200 concerts, over 600 khöömii courses and produced 4 records, which were the subject of 2 documentary films by the French filmmaker Jean-François Castell, keeping on going the promotion of Mongolian culture around the world.
Moreover, the association has a rich experience in conducting lectures, workshops and meetings on the Mongolian cultural heritage and khöömii in the Western cultural and scientific organizations such as museums, cultural centers and research institutes.
Routes Nomades is the official partner from French side responsible for the cultural and artistic programs related to the upcoming exhibition on Chinggis Khaan and Mongolia to be held in Nantes city, France in 2023.
Milestone events of Routes Nomades
- 2007 – Production of the « Dörvön Berkh » khöömii project, by organizing the first-ever concert and its French tour that focuses on the Mongolian khöömii, bringing together four great masters on the stage.
- 2010 – Elaboration of the nomination dossier of Mongolian Traditional Art of Khöömii to its inscription on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Johanni Curtet, researcher and artistic-director of Routes Nomades and Nomindari Shagdarsüren, specialist of intangible cultural heritage, under the supervision of Dr. Urtnasan Norov, General Secretary of the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO.
- 2010 – Co-production of the documentary film « Masters of Mongolian Khöömii » by Jean-François Castell. The film has been screened for over 300 times all around the world and gained an international recognition with 5 awards.
- 2013 – PhD dissertation defense entitled The transmission of höömij, an art of vocal timbre : the ethnomusicology and history of mongolian overtone singingby the ethnomusicologist Johanni Curtet at the University Rennes 2, making him thus the first foreign researcher to have defended a doctoral monograph on the Mongolian khöömii.
- 2016 – Organization of the international tour « Anthology of Mongolian Khöömii » by inviting 12 traditional Mongolian musicians. This work represented a group of 16 people, including 12 musicians, 3 managers and 1 filmmaker – traveled more than 25500 km for over 99 hours, around 2 continents, 3 countries and 11 cities to produce 60 activities that reached an audience of 9287 persons and 54 international and local media passed on the news.
- 2017 – Production of the double-album in three language « An Anthology of Mongolian Khöömii » as a transmission tool for this heritage. Became the main reference material on the Mongolian khöömii in the West, this disc has received eight internationally-prestigious awards and recognitions for now.
- 2017 – Research and experimentation on khöömii with the voluntary participation of the Mongolian khöömii masters and performers using the latest technology and MRI in a vocal laboratory in France, marking the first-ever interdisciplinary and large-scaled studies on Mongolian khöömii.
- 2018 – Reception of the UNESCO accreditation recognizing Routes Nomades as a non-governmental organization with proven expertise in the field of intangible cultural heritage, thus to provide advisory services to UNESCO related bodies.
- 2018 – Co-production of the documentary « Journey Into Khöömii » that traces back the humane story of Routes Nomades contributing to the safeguarding and promotion of Mongolian khöömii with the heritage bearers through its Anthology project.
- 2020 –Opening of the first-ever 4-year-khöömii-curriculum in Europe in the Conservatory of Aubagne city in France with the International Institute of World Music, marking the new page in the history of Mongolian khöömii.
- 2021 – Co-production of the album « Jangar » by Khusugtun group, that, despite of the pandemics, has gained a large-scale international recognition such as the celebrated Songlines Music Awards in the Asia and Pacific category.
- 2021 – Recognition of « Journey Into Khöömii » documentary with the Black Fire Award as the Best Long Film by the Nila International Folklore Film Festival of India.
- 2021 – The state recognition of “Nairamdal” (Friendship) medal bestowed by Mrs. Nyamkhüü Ulambayar, Ambassador of Mongolia in France, following the decree of the President of Mongolia, Khürelsükh Ukhnaa, upon Dr. Johanni Curtet for his precious contribution to the development of Mongolian studies and the promotion of Mongolian cultural heritage abroad.