Mongolian Lunar New Year Tsagaan Sar Celebration, 2026

The Mongolian Lunar New Year (Tsagaan Sar) celebration—organized this year by the Mongolia Society, the Department of Central Eurasian Studies, the Mongolian Student Association at IU, and the Bloomington Mongolian Community—was held on February 14 at the Ferguson International Center.

The program opened with welcoming remarks from Öner Özçelik, Chair of the Department of Central Eurasian Studies; Susie Drost, Executive Director of the Mongolia Society; and Ayalguu Unensaikhan, President of the Mongolian Student Association at IU.

The cultural program began with a morin khuur (Mongolian horsehead fiddle) performance by Daniel Cotter. Mongolian language students performed the Mongolian folk song “Цагаан сар,” the Buryat folk song “Алтаргана,” and the Kalmyk folk song “Ээжийн дуун.” Joshua Sims and Anton Ermakov recited spring-themed poems in Khalkha Mongolian and Buryat, along with their own English translations. Ochmaa Dahszegve performed additional Mongolian folk songs on the yatga (Mongolian zither). The program also featured the traditional dance “Журай гэлдэн” and a fashion show showcasing traditional Mongolian clothing.

Mongolian language students perform the “Drinking Song.” From left to right: Joshua Sims, Anton Ermakov, Daniel Cotter, Wei Chieh Tsai, and Urshuu Wuerxiya.

Julia Steffe and Khulan Otgonbayar, first-year Mongolian language students, performed the Western Mongolian folk song “Багын зан” (“The Character of Youth”) and the Buryat folk song “Алтаргана” (“Altargana”).

Guests enjoyed Mongolian milk tea, khuushuur (fried dough pockets filled with meat), and buuz (steamed dumplings) while celebrating an afternoon of music, poetry, and community.

Below are some images (edited by B. Narazaya) of from the event:

Event Participants

Fashion show participants at the celebration.

A group of IU students at the celebration with Mongolian language instructor Mrs. Tserenchunt Legden.