The primary goal of this Open Day was to enhance awareness and appreciation of intangible cultural heritage among secondary school students, while encouraging their active involvement in its safeguarding. More than 100 students from UNESCO ASPnet schools participated in this event, including the Mongeni Complex School, Onor Complex School, British School in Ulaanbaatar, and Schools number 2, 6, 24, 33, 45, 161, and 118.

The day's program featured captivating traditional art performances. Additionally, practitioners of six diverse ICH forms, including felt craft, Mongolian calligraphy, ankle archery, coin table knitting, and Uichuur naadgai, had interactive sessions with students where they made an introduction about the heritage and offered the students with a hands-on opportunity to learn these practices.

To deepen the students' understanding about their heritage, a quiz competition was held. An exhibition of drawings showcasing students' reflection on their intangible cultural heritage was displayed. Out of the 53 drawings submitted, ten drawings were selected for top prizes and the young artists were presented with the certificates. The drawings expressed the students’ appreciation for Mongolia’s diverse cultural heritage, especially those that link with the nomadic culture.

More than ever, the students understand that “Biye Biyelgee is like our cultural heartbeat, telling our history through dance”, or “The Mongolian deel is more than just fabric; it's a symbol of our identity, a connection to our ancestors, and a reminder of the beauty in our cultural heritage”. As the day came to an end, students engaged in vibrant discussions, exchanging ideas and opinions with their peers on ways to contribute to the safeguarding of their intangible cultural heritage, ensuring its continuity for generations to come.

Student-Partitioners Biye biyelgee © Mongolian National Commission of UNESCO