High-Level Opening

Like Mongolia’s vast steppe awakening to the first rays of the morning sun, “The Awakened Steppe” serves as the opening musical piece.

• the revival of life in the land
• nature awakening from dormancy
• a new beginning
• the possibility of restoration
• hope and confidence in the future

The traditional Mongolian long song “Uyakhan Zambuu Tiviin Naran” portrays the sun as a reflection of the natural order of the world, the rhythm of nature, and the source from which life springs. The piece symbolizes the sun as the source of life, warmth, and the nurturing force that sustains all living beings, expressing the nomadic wisdom of living in harmony and balance with nature.

Mongolians have long revered the rising sun as a symbol of new beginnings and prosperity. Traditionally, important celebrations and endeavours are begun with the rising sun, accompanied by the offering of the first portion of tea and milk. In keeping with this tradition, the song is presented together with the “Nine Patterns of Tsatsal” dance, inspired by the traditional ritual of offering tsatsal — sprinkling the first portion of milk or tea to the sky and the surrounding land.

The piece “Water” recreates through music the natural sounds of droplets, flowing water, shimmering surfaces, and rippling streams, highlighting the vital role of water in sustaining life. It expresses the Mongolian people’s appreciation of the value of water, traditional wisdom for its protection, the challenges facing water today, and our responsibility to preserve this precious resource for generations to come.

Mongolians have long cherished the sources of water as the origin of life and as a “precious jewel.” Traditional practices of protecting the sources of springs, keeping rivers and streams free from pollution, and refraining from inappropriate or disrespectful conduct near water have been passed down from generation to generation. These traditions reflect a deep-rooted respect for, and commitment to protecting, Mother Nature.

In the Mongolian language and culture, “Khurai” is an exclamation traditionally used to invoke good deeds, blessings, prosperity, a life of well-being, and all that is good. The work expresses the profound interrelationship between humanity and nature, as well as the spiritual energy of our ancestors, through the language of contemporary music.

In traditional Mongolian thought, nature is not regarded as something separate from humanity, but as a living entity existing in a relationship of mutual interdependence with people. Thus, Mongolians have a longstanding cultural tradition of communicating with, appeasing, praising, and blessing the mountains and waters, the earth and soil, the sun and wind, and nature as a whole.

The exclamation “Khurai” is not merely a symbol of invoking good deeds, blessings, and all that is good; it also embodies a way of thinking in which humanity seeks to live in harmony with nature and call forth goodness together with the natural world.

Through this work, Mongolia’s traditional relationship with nature — one that seeks not to take from nature, but to communicate with it, respect and revere it, appease it, and protect it — is expressed through the language of contemporary music.

COP17 brings together 197 Parties in one place, uniting governments, the private sector, civil society, scientists and researchers, young people, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists, and farmers with the aim of developing solutions together.

Biyelgee is a distinctive expression of Mongolia’s intangible cultural heritage, conveying the interconnectedness of nature, daily life, and human existence through the rhythm of movement. “Jurai Gelden” is a traditional folk song about the beauty of nature, mountains, waters, and one’s homeland, well suited to the performance of Biyelgee.