Over the past few days, everyone has been enjoying time-off from work to celebrate their most joyful time of the year - National Naadam Holiday. This year, the Naadam Festival is commemorating the 2226th anniversary of Foundation of first Mongolian Statehood, 811th anniversary of the Great Mongol Empire and 96th anniversary of People’s Revolution of Mongolia. Everything has been festive around the Naadam days with a large number of ceremonies and concerts organized in Ulaanbaatar and throughout the rest of the nation as well.
 

One of the most anticipated cultural performance is the Opening ceremony of Naadam which took place on June 11 at the central stadium. This year’s opening performance was directed by State Prize laureate N.Naranbaatar, Director of the National Academic Drama Theatre and was participated by over 4000 artists and notable, by 80 mothers with Glories Mother title (given to mothers with four or more children). The performance entirely displayed different periods of history of Mongolia. Traditionally, President of Mongolia Kh.Battulga delivered opening remarks.
 
Considered as a traditional display of strength, horsemanship and marksmanship, wrestling, horseracing and archery are main three games of Naadam Festival excitingly enjoyed by all Mongolians.
 
Wrestling (Central Stadium):
 
State hawk titled Ts.Sodnomdorj, from Khuvsgul aimag, won the national wrestling competition out of 512 wrestlers competed, with State Hawk U.Bat-Orshikh from Uvs aimag becoming a runner-up. Ts.Sodnomdorj’s title was upgraded to Lion of State.

 
Horseracing (at Khui Doloon Khudag):
 
Race of four-year old horses (Khyazaalan):
Out of 304 four-year old horses came from all parts of the country that were registered for the race, 127 participated as starting this year, crossbred horses were eliminated to race with Mongolia-bred horses. A bay-horse colored trained by L.Erdenebaatar from Dundgobi aimag led in this age race.
 
Three-year old horse race (Shudlen):
Out of 254 three-year old horses that were registered for the race, 59 participated. A tawny-horse colored trained by N.Aldarjargal from Umnugobi aimag led in this age race.
 
Stallion horse race:
Out of 171 three-year old horses that were registered for the race, 98 participated. A cream colored horse trained by T.Boldbaatar from Khuvsgul aimag led in this age race, becoming a two-time winner.
 
Above five-year-old horse (Ikh nas) race:
Out of 307 three-year old horses that were registered for the race, 261 participated. A dark colored horse trained by Ch.Byambasuren from Uvurkhangai aimag led in this age race.
 
Five-year-old horse (Soyolon) race:
 
Out of 253 three-year old horses that were registered for the race, 128 participated. A grey colored horse trained by G.Batbaatar from Arkhangai aimag led in this age race.
 
Colt race:
Out of 282 three-year old horses that were registered for the race, 71 participated. A chestnut colored horse trained by B.Nyamsuren from Gobisumber aimag led in this age race.

 
Archery (archery field near central stadium)
 
This year, national archery competition was competed by a total of 540 archers. In men’s category, B.Yondon from Zavkhan aimag won to be granted with a title of State Mergen (super marksman) and in women’s category, B.Bayarchimeg from Dornod aimag triumphed.