By E.SOLONGO

Mongolian Honored Artist D.Sosorbaram has organised an ethnic music concert to be held on February 18-19 at the Mongolian Labor Union Cultural Center.
Attending the concert will be Khusugtun ethnic ballad group, Jonon ethnic group, Domog folk band, Altan Urag folk rock band, and Arga Bileg ethno jazz band.
D.Sosorbaram detailed the concert at a press conference held on February 13.

-How will the groups perform together as one?
-They will play two grand masterpieces together. One of them is ‘Altain Magtaal’ and after that song, each group will play their own music.

By E.SOLONGO

Folk rock band Altan Urag took to the stage at the Cultural Central Palace on February 8 for their ‘Our Mongolia’ performance.
In the capacity crowd was the President of Mongolia, as well as several prominent Members of Parliament. The ‘Our Mongolia’ theme was evident from the first song. The group opened with the traditional folk song ‘Mother Mongolian,’ and their harmony was in perfect form.
Several other wonderful long songs were performed accompanied by the traditional instruments including the morin khuur and yoochin.

By E.SOLONGO

An interview with D.Otgonjargal, singer of State Philharmonics and “Voice” group, who will hold her first solo concert on February 11.
-Let’s start our interview talking about your childhood and hometown. Which is your hometown Darkhan or Bayankhongor?
-My father was born in Zag sum, Bayankhongor aimag and I was too. I spent my childhood in Bayankhongor and graduated from secondary school in Darkhan. So both of them are my hometowns.
-When did you decide to be a singer?
-I had never thought about becoming a singer even though I liked music when I was a child. When I entered 10th grade, I started dreaming of becoming a singer.
That time I knew my parents will not agree to let me be an artist. So, I used to hide it from them, told them before the graduation test that, “I would like to become a singer; I am prepared to enter the Mongolian State University of Culture and Art.” However, they disagreed and held a family meeting with 30 relatives and just three of them approved.
Fortunately, the word of these three uncles is like law in our family. I went to Ulaanbaatar to take the entrance exam. That was 11 years ago.
-What kind of profession did your parents want for you?
-My brothers and sisters wanted me to be a painter because I used to draw. My mother really wanted me to become a doctor. I couldn’t make my mum’s wish come true. Maybe, my daughter will be a doctor.
-What will you do if your daughter has another dream?
-I would be respectful to my daughter’s dream.
-Composer B.Sharav gave you his great masterpiece “Unu Munkh Oron (Ever Eternal Country)”. Why did he choose you?             
-My first song is “Ijiidee bichsen zakhidal (Letter to my mother)” music by B.Sharav and Z.Tumenjargal wrote the lyrics, so he knows me.
In the song “Unu munkhiin oron (Ever Eternal Country)” the music is by B.Sharav and poet L.Ulziitugs wrote the lyrics. It was such a great opportunity to get to sing this masterpiece.
-You sang “Ijiidee bichsen zakhidal” when you were at the university.
-Yes, I did. My teacher used to say, “You are not a professional singer yet. You can’t sing any songs.”
Nevertheless, I wanted to sing any song for my mother. I ordered that song and sang is secretly.
-It is hard for a student to request a song from a famous composer like B.Sharav or Z.Tumenjargal.
-Actually it is. My cousin B.Battsetseg works as a head of the Management Board of “Munkhiin useg” group and helped me. I’m really glad that I had that chance.
-Please, tell our readers about your life offstage.
-I’m the youngest child of six children. My mother has worked as a cook at a kindergarten for her whole life. I can’t imagine how my life would be without my mom. I love my mom so much. I think my mom is getting younger because her children are living healthy and contributing to the country’s progress.
There is only one another women in my family whose name is Mungunshagai, my daughter. She is turning 4 years old soon; she is smart, independent, and talented. Now she has started to advise and teach me. She chooses my clothes and tells me to be on time. She also draws very well and can do contortions. That is my family.
-People say that choosing a life as an artist is a difficult path.  
-An artist’s life is not easy. My group members often make our recordings in the evenings. Recording takes a long time. There are disagreements that happen, like in a family.
My ex-husband asked me to leave my dream after many years of training. But after much discussion, I decided to sing.
-Are you sure that your decision was the right one?
-We made the decision in a friendly way and followed our own paths. I don’t regret my decision.
-Does your daughter ask about her father?
-Not often. She calls my brothers her father.  She is smart and when she grows up she will understand that.
-When will you have your next child?
- Let me open up and tell you that one of my secrets is that I wish to have five children. If my second child is a boy, I will name him as Altanshagai. If she is a girl, the name also would be Shagai.
-How do you imagine your husband?
-I want him to be a normal person. When I was a child I used to dream about a normal and humble person, I still dream of this now.
-Are there any problems for a famous person like you with clothes and image?
-I don’t need to buy any expensive clothes even now that I am well known.
Expensive clothes are not necessary for me. I like clean and plain-clothes.  I work at a state organization and we spend our group income on our next song.
-What are your future dreams and goals?
-I dream of participating successfully in an international competition and to sing at foreign theatres In addition, I want to live a healthy and happy life.
I don’t dream of being rich. Money comes to a person who is working and respecting it correctly.

By E.SOLONGO

The 119th anniversary of the birth of famed Mongolian Commander and Minister of Defense D.Sukhbaatar was on February 1. An exhibition including his photos, books, magazines, sculpture, and medals went on display at the Theatre Museum. O.Baatar organized the exhibition to show the public the 500 objects relating to D.Sukhbaatar he has collected over the past 40 years. In attendance at the opening were State Honored Poet Do.Nyamaa, Secretary of the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) Ts.Sukhbaatar, Emeritus G.Jamyan. We interviewed O.Baatar.
-You have been preparing this exhibition for many years. How many times have you put on smaller exhibitions?
-In 1966, I exhibited a wall of newspaper articles for the first time. Overtime, that grew into the exhibition you see here today. This is the 47th exhibition. It is important to show D.Sukhbaatar’s accomplishments to people. I have spent 50 percent of my earnings to collect objects related with the commander.
-Is there any department that supports your exhibition?
-No, there is not.
-How many days will it run for?
-It will be open for a week.
-How many objects are displayed in the exhibition?
-There are over 500 objects that I have collected. Recently there have been some objects that I have not been able to purchase due to my financial troubles.
-What is the most valuable piece in your collection?
-I have a one of a kind coin. Only one exists in the entire world. The Director of Zoos Goyol made it for me.
-Next year is the 120th anniversary. Will you enlarge your exhibition?
-I can’t confidently say that I will set up the exhibition again. I have not been feeling good and it was hard to carry my objects into the museum. Of course, I want to organize the exhibition again.
-Have you ever been interested to other people’s collections?
-I haven’t heard anyone who has the same type of collection that I do.
-How do you save these objects?
-I save them at home. If the Ministry of Defense purchases my collection, I hope that they will do so at a price that will help me pay for my healthcare.
During the exhibition D.Sukhburen, grand grandson of D.Sukhbaatar said “I met with O.Baatar not long ago. This is his 47th year putting on this exhibtion. We will help him in whatever way possible. I truly enjoy his exhibition. The last few years I have always come to see it.