SPEECH BY THE GENERAL CONDUCTOR OF THE MORIN KHUUR PHILHARMONIC ENSEMBLE, STATE HONORED ARTIST TUVSHINSAIKHAN DELGERSAIKHAN AT THE CEREMONY OF CONFERRING THE SUPREME DECORATION OF THE MONGOLIAN STATE, THE ORDER OF CHINGGIS KHAAN, ON THE OCCASION OF THE 861ST BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF CHINGGIS KHAAN, THE NATIONAL PRIDE DAY.

Your Excellency President of Mongolia, 

Esteemed Speaker of the State Great Khural,

Esteemed Prime Minister,

Honorable Members of the State Great Khural and the Cabinet,

Distinguished public servants, scientists and scholars, builders of Mongolia's intellectual wealth,

Dear guests, honored with great respect for your significant contributions to art, culture, history, and religion, gathered here for this auspicious ceremony,

Allow me to extend my sincere felicitations on this joyous occasion of “National Pride Day,” which celebrates the 861st Anniversary of the birth of the Great Chinggis Khaan. We, the generations of artists of the Morin Khuur Ensemble of Mongolia are deeply honored to receive the Supreme Decoration of the Mongolian State, named after the Great Chinggis Khaan on his birthday.

Throughout the millennia-old history of humankind, the Mongols' boundlessly rich cultural heritage and intellectual values have endured through times of fading, oblivion, and revival, to reach the present day. The fact that modern Mongolia shines brightly in the new history undoubtedly makes the world strongly feel that Mongolian people possess immeasurable resources of intellectual culture and tradition.

Indeed, we come to realize every moment that we are born with a great sake to grow up, develop, learn, and create. At this very moment, I would like to express sincere gratitude to the elders who have inherited this great heritage and passed it on to future generations and to our teacher Batchuluun Tsend, a well-known Mongolian horsehead fiddle player, educator, and conductor, who will be remembered forever, living in our hearts and minds.

Traditional art is all that vividly expresses the history today, the cultural achievements of the Mongols, shaped along the way of great movement and based on lifestyle in vast land, demonstrating nature and wildlife with delicate sound.

Morin Khuur stands as an instrument deeply intertwined with the history and culture of Mongols.

Our heartfelt appreciation goes to three visionary men, who, amidst the Democratic Revolution in Mongolia, initiated to establish the Morin Khuur Ensemble . The enduring legacy we now cherish is a testament to the dedicated efforts of the renowned Morin Khuur player Jamiyan Gombodorj, his student and our esteemed teacher Batchuluun Tsend, and  honored composer Jantsannorov Natsag.

The Mongolian State Morin Khuur Ensemble is committed to safeguarding, promoting, and spreading Morin Khuur, a musical embodiment of Mongols’ history, life, and thinking.

The establishment of the Morin Khuur Ensemble through Resolution No. 123 of the Government of Mongolia dated July 9, 1992, and the first performance held at the Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet on April 16, 1993, marked a pivotal moment in recent history, providing Mongolians an orchestra with a familiar yet distinct image and sound in the music world and also a new expression of national identity.

Over the past 31 years, the Morin Khuur Ensemble has built a rich and diverse repertoire including Western and Eastern works in addition to traditional Mongolian pieces. The Philharmonic has staged over 5000 full-length concerts in Mongolia and 600 performances in more than 20 countries abroad and has collaborated with dozens of renowned artists.

While we are honored to have gained the trust and love of our nation in this new era, we are resolute in our commitment to developing and strengthening our skills and talents, aiming at further promoting the potential of the Mongolian people. We would like to thank the Mongolian government and our people, who have always supported us, and to our mothers and fathers, spouses and children who have been our unyielding support.

May the Mongolian State be strong, may the spirit of the Mongolian people always be vigorous, and may everyone live in a peaceful and prosperous life.