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DO MONGOLIANS CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR?

Most foreigners may wonder if Mongolians celebrate Christmas or New year holiday. Well, how about celebrating with us? We break down four ways to celebrate the new year – with not one new year’s party, but many.


From early time each nation used to calculate the rotation of time, based on sun and moon movement in accordance with their way of life and culture in order to celebrate the new year. Even today all the nations of the world celebrate this sacred holiday once a year based on the astrological calculations of Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam which dominate in the world today.


Following the footstep of our ancestors who have respected all religions and cultures since the 13 th century, we still allow other holidays celebrated in the land of Mongolia. We have been celebrating a New Year Eve-Yolka, since the first half of the 20th century. However, some documents state that before the revolution, during the Bogd Khanate (1911 and 1919 and again from 1921 to 1924) Mongolia was celebrated because of the presence of Americans and Russians.


It is noted that Mongolian famous poet and writer D. Natsagdorj celebrated New Year with his Russian wife Nina Shistakova and some Mongolian poet friend and a few Russian female friends in 1931, in the first time in Mongolia after his return from studying in East Germany. Later, they were detained and questioned for several months after their arrest in May 1932 by Internal Security Directorate by celebrating capitalist country’s event.


At that time, they set up a very luxurious table with a tall glass of western vodka, which was rare in our country, now the photograph is kept at the D. Natsagdorj museum.


Eventually, in 1940, the "Constitution of Mongolia was adopted by Marshal Kh. Choibalsan, who is Minister of internal affairs at a time, and the most influential man of the time.


Mongolia began to silently follow the neighboring Soviet Union, the influence of Russian culture during the Second World War was strongly influenced by Russian culture in Mongolia, and both countries won the Great War. Then in 1947,new year officially celebrated initiation of Marshal Choibalsan.


As soon as Grandfather Frost set foot in Mongolia, he took on the role of a wise judge who summed up the socialist race for communism and started to give a present only for the best of best of all in the organizations. Gradually he visits all the schools, kindergartens along with his snow girl and two clowns embarrass some bad students and losers of the organizations.


Gradually, schools and organizations were allowed to celebrate New year, and it has been one of the most widely celebrated Mongolian holidays for decades after a long-time criterion. New Year’s Eve is celebrated in the family as everyone waits for the clock countdown and the President of Mongolia toasts milk to wish good luck and health to all Mongolians.


Due to the virtues of democracy, children's rights are highly valued in Mongolia, and Grandpa Winter converted in to Santa Clause and no longer discriminates against children and all children are given sweets. The celebration of the best nominees of the year in the organizations still continues today.


Although YOLKA is a holiday of foreign origin, it has become a beautiful holiday that leaves a lasting memory in the hearts of Mongolians, nurtures their childhood, sharpens and inspires them in order to receive a present, and this is the story of YOLKA becoming Mongolian.


Although Christmas is not officially recognized as a holiday by the government, Western values and holidays have had some influence in Mongolia for the past years and celebrated among expats and international organizations, and followers of Christian Mongolians.

In the end, including Christmas, New year Eve (Russian term), well-known Lunar new year, and Nauriz-where Kazak people celebrate which is the recognition of spring by lunisolar calendar. We do celebrate new year 4 times a year.



There are 5 interesting facts about differences between Mongolian and Western New Year & Christmas celebration.

1. Instead of Turkey, Mongolian traditional food buuz and potato salad is served

2. We put currency on the Christmas tree

3. We eat cake instead of a pie

4. Widely celebrated in the organizations and nominate the best employees of the year

5. President give speech and toast milk instead of a champaign.

May this year bring new happiness, new goals, new achievements, and a lot of new inspirations on your life. Wishing you a year fully loaded with happiness. Wishing every day of the new year to be filled with success, happiness, and prosperity for you.

Merry Christmas and Happy new year !!!

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