Across the four oceans and five continents, there are two priceless treasures: clean water and fresh air.
If we wish to protect our blue planet,
let us plant trees together. 🌱
G. Yavgaan
President of the Khan-Altai Foundation
Leading Environmental Worker, Grand Prize Winner of the World Folk Art Festival, Recipient of the Order of Sukhbaatar, Merited Artist of Mongolia, Blessing and Praise Performer, Throat Singer, and Bearer of Mongolia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Traditional Folk Art.
About me
1986
1988
1989
1990
1992
1992
1993
1994
In 1986, at the opening ceremony of the 12th International Festival held in England, he proudly raised the national flag of Mongolia. During the festival, he performed the “Praise of Altai” and “Praise of Bogd Dunjingarav,” earning the Grand Prize. His performance was broadcast live on BBC Channels 1 and 2, showcasing Mongolia’s traditional art to an international audience.
In 1988, he participated in folk art promotional performances across Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and France.
During a performance in Paris, he performed “Altai’s Praise” and “Khangai Khan’s Praise” solo and recorded his first CD.
Additionally, he was the first to register and preserve the masterpieces of Mongolian traditional folk art in the UNESCO Fund and the World Music Golden Fund, ensuring their eternal preservation as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.
In 1989, he represented Mongolia by raising the national flag at the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students held in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). At this festival, he was awarded the Grand Prize and two Gold Medals for his performance of the “Altai Praise.”
In 1990, he successfully participated in the International Friendship Art Festival held in Seoul and Busan, Republic of Korea, where he won first place and was awarded the Honorary Citizen Certificate and Medal by the Busan City Administration.
In 1992, at the invitation of the Government of Taiwan, he participated in the “Mongolian Cultural Days” event to promote Mongolia and was awarded an Honorary Certificate by the Government of Taiwan.
In 1992, after working continuously for 30 years in government service, he retired with distinction but went on to establish “Temuujin Munkh” LLC. Alongside the company, he founded the Temuujin Ensemble, where he served as Director. The ensemble consisted of contortionists, dancers, singers, and musicians, and under his leadership, the “Temuujin Folk Art Group” was formed. He successfully led the group to participate in numerous competitions and organized international tours of global significance, while also promoting Mongolia abroad through invitations to perform worldwide.
He undertook efforts to revive and study the traditional Mongolian Tsam dance, including its rules, movements, and ceremonial practices. As part of this work, he personally participated in Tsam performances at 108 monasteries throughout Mongolia. Under the guidance of Chombon Sereeter of Gandantegchinlen Monastery, he established a Mongolian Tsam Art Studio within “Temuujin Munkh” LLC, where craftsmen were trained to preserve and transmit the ancient traditions of Tsam mask-making and performance to future generations.
In 1993, in St. Petersburg, Russia, at a datsan (Buddhist monastery) that was originally built in 1909 by the 8th Bogd Javzandamba of Mongolia using his own treasury funds as a dedication to the 13th Dalai Lama, he personally funded a project and took more than 20 craftsmen to create the main sacred statue, a 5-meter-high statue of Buddha. The consecration ceremony of the statue was performed by Lama Danzan of Gandantegchinlen Monastery. The opening ceremony was attended by N. Enkhbayar, who was then the Minister of Culture.
This monastery, known as Gunzechoinei Datsan, was built with the purpose of promoting and showcasing Mongolia’s cultural heritage internationally.
In 1994, while promoting Mongolia in Japan, G. Yavgaan, together with Hero of Labor and People's Artist N. Norovbanzad and People's Artist Ts. Batchuluun, recorded and preserved some of the most renowned masterpieces of Mongolian traditional folk art with the JVC and PLANGTON recording studios.
In 1994, G. Yavgaan made a significant contribution to passing down traditional folk art to future generations by establishing the “12 JIL” Children's Traditional Folk Art Ensemble under the Children’s Fund. This ensemble provided training in various traditional Mongolian arts, including khoomei (throat singing), khel khuur (jaw harp), tovshuur, shanz, yatga, morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), long song, and blessing chants.
Over the years, more than 1,000 students were trained, many of whom went on to become renowned and celebrated performers.
Honored Artist of Mongolia (MNHGJ) G. Yavgaan has not only worked tirelessly to preserve and promote intangible cultural heritage, but has also been actively involved in environmental and ecological projects, personally funding and implementing major national-scale programs and initiatives across Mongolia.
In 1994, G. Yavgaan organized a 30-day exhibition at the Ethnographic Museum of Saint Petersburg, showcasing rare Buddhist religious artifacts and ethnographic treasures of Mongolia that had been preserved in Saint Petersburg.
The exhibition aimed to promote and raise awareness of Mongolia’s rich cultural heritage on an international stage.
Later, in 2011, the Günzeichoinei Monastery (Datsan), closely associated with these efforts, was visited by Dmitry Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation at the time, as well as Tsakhia Elbegdorj, President of Mongolia, along with G. Zandanshatar and D. Choijamts, further highlighting the cultural and historical significance of the site.
In 1994, G. Yavgaan brought back the sacred relics of Dilowa Khutagt Jamsranjav, including his body remains, relic stupa, hair, and ashes, from Dilowa Khutagt’s temple in New Jersey, USA.
He then formally handed them over to Hamba Lama D. Choijamts of Gandan Tegchilen Monastery, an act of great spiritual and cultural significance that helped return these invaluable treasures of Mongolian Buddhism to their homeland and ensure they are preserved for future generations.
Since 1994, he has been dedicated to protecting Mongolia’s pristine nature, strictly protected areas, and cultural and historical heritage, as well as promoting environmental awareness and conducting research. To achieve this mission, he founded the “Khan-Altai” Foundation.
In collaboration with a team of scientists led by Dr. Clyde Goulden of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (USA), along with the Mongolian Academy of Sciences and the Biology Department of the National University of Mongolia, the foundation implemented the “Khuvsgul Project”, focusing on the study of the Khuvsgul Lake Strictly Protected Area.
As part of this project, a photo exhibition was organized in 1994 to showcase the research findings. In 1996, at the International Limnological Conference on Freshwater Lakes held in Taiwan, Khuvsgul Lake was officially recognized and added to the list of the “Six Freshwater Lakes of the World”, highlighting its global ecological significance.
1994-2022
From 1995 to 2022, for a total of 27 years, continuous efforts were made to protect the Tuul River through a wide range of activities and awareness programs.
During this period, annual clean-up campaigns were successfully organized along the riverbanks, focusing on removing pollution and waste.
These consistent actions have played a crucial role in preserving the ecosystem of the Tuul River, raising public awareness about environmental protection, and encouraging community participation in sustainable conservation efforts.
Founders of the Khan-Altai Foundation
G. Yavgaan and President Y. Khajidsuren, 1994
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