Ulaanbaatar, January 15, 2026 /MONTSAME/. The award ceremony for the best participants and the opening of the exhibition of selected works of the 29th International “Best Mongol Calligrapher - 2025” Contest, held annually by the “Khumuun Bichig” newspaper of the MONTSAME Mongolian National News Agency, took place today at the Mongolian National Art Gallery.

Opening the ceremony, the Director General of MONTSAME Mongolian National News Agency Enkh-Orshikh Khurelee said, “The Mongol script is not only the bearer of the Mongolian nation’s language, culture, and way of thinking, but also a unique heritage left by Mongolians in the history of world writing culture. The ‘Best Mongol Calligrapher’ contest has been organized to disseminate this precious heritage in modern times and to strengthen the immunity of national culture.

What began 29 years ago with fewer than 10 participants has expanded year by year and has now become an international contest that regularly receives more than 1,000 works from home and abroad.

He noted, “It is gratifying to observe that the tradition of the Head of State personally attending the award ceremonies of this contest has become well established, further enhancing the value of the competition and serving as a great encouragement to advocates of the national script and culture as well as to the children and youth who will succeed them. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our distinguished guests who stand with us in the mission of cherishing, safeguarding, and promoting our national script and culture, and to all participants who submitted their works to the 2025 international contest.”

Awards were presented by the President of Mongolia, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, to the winners of the contest, which brought together participants ranging in age from eight-year-old children to centenarian elders from across the country.

At the award ceremony, President Khurelsukh emphasized that the Mongol script is a symbol of unity of the Mongol peoples, a great treasury of knowledge and culture, a revered witness of independence and statehood, a key to a millennium of intellectual heritage, and a remarkable cultural legacy of humankind. He also expressed deep appreciation to the staff of the MONTSAME Mongolian National News Agency and the "Khumuun Bichig" newspaper for successfully organizing the "Best Mongol Calligrapher" contest for 29 consecutive years, expanding it into an international event, and making valuable contributions to the promotion and dissemination of the Mongolian language and script. Furthermore, the President stressed that diligently learning the Mongolian language and script—one of the pillars of Mongolia’s independence and national security and a guarantee of the nation’s continuity—and becoming true custodians of cultural heritage are both the pride of every Mongolian and the spiritual safeguard of the Mongol nation. He underlined that the government will continue to give special attention to further expanding and developing the annual international “Best Mongol Calligrapher” contest in the years ahead.

Aimed at promoting Mongol script and culture domestically and internationally and at introducing to the public the creativity and talents of artists, teachers, students, and pupils, the contest this year was held in eight categories. More than 1,100 participants submitted texts and works from all aimags except Gobisumber, Bayan-Ulgii, and Uvurkhangai, as well as from districts of the capital city and from the United States, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China, and the Republic of Buryatia of the Russian Federation.

By number of participants, Khuvsgul, Uvs, and Bayankhongor aimags led.

The oldest participant was Honored Teacher of Mongolia Jigmedsuren, S., aged 103, a resident of Bayangol District, 1st khoroo of the capital, and a native of Aldarkhaan soum, Zavkhan aimag. Also participating were Danaajav T., 74, a resident of Sukhbaatar district, 11th khoroo, and elder Nyam-Ochir B. from Khatgal village, Khuvsgul aimag. The youngest participant was Amina D., a Grade 1 “A” student of “Nutgiin Avarguud” School in Murun soum, Khuvsgul aimag.

The contest was supported and co-organized by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth. The exhibition of selected works of the international “Best Mongol Calligrapher–2025” Contest will be open to the public until January 18, 2026.

Below are the winners of the international “Best Mongol Calligrapher - 2025” contest.

I. Adult Category:

1. Byambasuren E. - Data preparer of “Bolorsоft” company

2. Otgonsuren N. - Senior student of the National University of Mongolia

3. Ariunzul J. - Freshman student of the National University of Mongolia

4. Bilguunsaran B. - A junior student at the Mongolian National University of Education from Arkhangai Aimag

5. Enkhjargal J. - Employee at “UB Laboratory”

II. Professional Teachers Category:

1. Tserendejid B. - Mongolian Language, Script, and Literature Teacher at Secondary School No. 4, Erdenebulgan soum, Arkhangai aimag.

2. Tsolmon N. - Mongolian Language, Script, and Literature Teacher, Secondary School No. 16, Darkhan-Uul aimag

3. Gantsetseg E. - Mongolian Language, Script, and Literature Teacher, Secondary School No. 5, Dalanzadgad soum, Umnugobi aimag

4. Dolgormaa B. - Mongolian Language, Script, and Literature Teacher, “Delgermurun” Secondary School, Murun soum, Khuvsgul aimag

5. Uranbileg B. - Mongolian Language, Script, and Literature Teacher, Secondary School No. 1, Sukhbaatar soum, Selenge aimag

III. Category of “Mongol Ethnic Groups and Other Foreign Citizens Using Mongol Script”:

1. Altansan - Calligrapher from the Khorchin region, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the PRC

2. Aryuna Bulgutova - Calligrapher, Ulan-Ude city, Republic of Buryatia, the Russian Federation

3. Mergenbat A. - Calligrapher, Urad Front Banner, Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the PRC

4. Khaschimeg B. - Calligrapher, Bairin Right Banner, Ulanhad City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the PRC

5. Oyunbileg Ts. - Calligrapher, Alxa Left Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the PRC

IV. Artistic Calligraphy Category:

1. Oyun-Erdene D. - Mongolian Language, Script, and Literature Teacher, Secondary School No. 14, Bayanzurkh district, Ulaanbaatar

2. Ishdorj L. - Technology teacher, “Sod-Erdene” Secondary School, Murun soum, Khuvsgul aimag

3. Och A. - Student, Class 7-2, Secondary School No. 38, Bayangol district, Ulaanbaatar

4. Saranbileg P. - Master's student of the National University of Mongolia

5. Ganzorig G. - Member of the Union of Mongolian Artists branch in Umnugobi aimag, calligrapher

V. “Best Calligrapher Class” Category:

1. Class 9B prepared by Jargalmaa D., Mongolian Language, Script, and Literature Teacher, “Gurvan-Erdene” Secondary School, Murun soum, Khuvsgul aimag

2. Class 9V prepared by Ankhbayar B., Mongolian Language, Script, and Literature Teacher, “Erdeniin Dalai” Secondary School, Murun soum, Khuvsgul aimag

3. Class 9G prepared by Battsereg N., Mongolian Language, Script, and Literature Teacher, “Erdeniin Dalai” Secondary School, Murun soum, Khuvsgul aimag

4. Class 10A prepared by Manalsuren B., Mongolian Language, Script, and Literature Teacher, Secondary School, Khatgal village, Khuvsgul aimag

5. Class 12A prepared by Davaadulam, Mongolian Language, Script, and Literature Teacher, “Sod-Erdene” Secondary School, Khuvsgul aimag

VI. Non-Textual Works Category:

1. Gerelmaa J. - Mongolian Language, Script, and Literature Teacher, Secondary School No. 1, Saikhan soum, Selenge aimag

2. Byambasuren B. - Mongolian Language, Script, and Literature Teacher, “Chandmani-Erdene” Laboratory School, Uliastai soum, Zavkhan aimag

3. Uyangatsetseg B. - Student, Class 8A, “Delgermurun” Secondary School, Murun soum, Khuvsgul aimag

4. Bayarmunkh S. - Senior student of the Mongolian National University of Education

5. Undrakh B. - Mongolian Language, Script, and Literature Teacher, Secondary School, Santmargats soum, Zavkhan aimag

VII. Students of grades 1-7:

1. Davaasuren R. - Student, Class 6G, “Delgermurun” Secondary School, Murun soum, Khuvsgul aimag

2. Margadmaa E. - Student, Class 7G, “Erdeniin Dalai” Secondary School, Murun soum, Khuvsgul aimag

3. Ariunbaatar B. - Student, Class 3D, “Delgermurun” Secondary School, Murun soum, Khuvsgul aimag

4. Bayarjargal B. - Student, Class 7B, Secondary School, Naranbulag soum, Uvs aimag

5. Sarnai Kh. - Student, Class 7C, “Baga Tenger” Secondary school, Bayanzurkh district, Ulaanbaatar

Student of grades 8-11:

1.  Alimansaran B. - Student, Class 11A, Secondary School No. 115, Khan-Uul district, Ulaanbaatar

2.  Amin-Erdene Kh. - Student, Class 9V, “Erdeniin Dalai” Secondary School, Murun soum, Khuvsgul aimag

3. Zolzaya D. - Student, Class 11A, “Delgermurun” Secondary School, Murun soum, Khuvsgul aimag

4. Tsolmon D. - Student, Class 11G, “Titem” Secondary School, Murun soum, Khuvsgul aimag

5. Tsolmon G. - Student, Class 10B, Secondary School, Ikh-Uul soum, Khuvsgul aimag

Named After Awards:

1. Award of “Luvsanvandan Sh. Foundation,” named after Academician Shadav Luvsanvandan - Class 11A prepared by  Mungunzul G., Mongolian Language, Script, and Literature Teacher, Secondary school, Tsagaan-Uur soum, Khuvsgul aimag

2. Award named after Senior diplomat Luuzan G. - Khongorzul A., student, Class 12J, Secondary School No. 1, Ulaangom soum, Uvs aimag

3. Award named after Senior diplomat Namchin Ch. - Purevsuren N., student, Class 12A, Secondary School, Bogd soum, Bayankhongor aimag

4. Award named after famous stage and screen actor Ankhnyam R. - Class 11G prepared by Davaanasan G., Mongolian Language, Script, and Literature Teacher, Secondary school No. 34, Khan-Uul district, Ulaanbaatar

5. Award named after Bayasgalan B., head of the “Mongolian Song and Image Foundation” NGO, - Richard Buangan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Mongolia

6. Award named after Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Gankhuyag D. - Class 8G prepared by Bolorsaikhan B., Mongolian Language, Script, and Literature Teacher, Secondary school No. 5, Ulaanbaatar