The second annual Congressional Mongolian Lunar New Year event took place on March 7th, 2025, to celebrate Mongolia’s rich cultural traditions and strengthen US-Mongolia relations. The event featured engaging panel discussions on Mongolia’s cultural heritage and evolving economic landscape with contributions from policymakers, community leaders, and economic experts.
Every Lunar New Year, Mongolians celebrate Tsagaan Sar or “White Moon” in English, symbolizing purity and the coming arrival of spring. To honor the traditions of the festival, the New Neighbor Initiative—a non-profit working to foster the development of the Mongolian American community through cultural exchange, business partnerships, and opportunities for sustainable growth—hosted the second annual Congressional Mongolian Lunar New Year celebration on March 7th, 2025. The event, unofficially the first fully student-led gathering at the Rayburn House Office Building, brought together members of the Mongolian diaspora, federal and state employees, civil society representatives, and members of Congress for a celebration of Mongolian tradition.
First to address the crowd were student organizers Tergel Dulguun and Emujin Dasher, who shared how their Mongolian heritage shapes their values, perspectives, and daily lives. They spoke about their upbringing, both in the United States and in Mongolia, and the importance of staying connected to their cultural roots while navigating life in a multicultural society.
Keynote speaker Uyemaa Gantulga, Director of Technical Development at the Mongolian Aerospace Research and Science Association (MARSA), continued reflecting on the importance of preserving and understanding heritage. She shared the Mongolian saying, “if you don’t know your history, you are like a monkey lost in the forest,” underscoring the value of cultural knowledge. Gantulga noted that Mongolian history is passed down orally, through songs and stories, rather than written texts: “We sing from the bottom of our bellies...and we tell the stories of our ancestors," she said. “Our history is in our genes; it is not written on paper by pen... As we are a nomadic nation, no matter where we go, we are still Mongols.” She connected this cultural heritage to MARSA’s work, where they are drawing inspiration from Mongolian traditional nomadic practices, such as the yurt, to design modern solutions for space exploration. The association’s Mars analog mission, which emphasizes resilience and adaptability, mirrors the Mongolian spirit of overcoming challenges in harsh conditions, just as their ancestors once did.
Building on themes of cultural preservation and nomadic heritage, the evening continued with a musical performance that brought to life Mongolia’s deep connection between man and nature. Hailing from Chicago, the Tenger Khuur Ensemble captivated the audience with a mesmerizing performance of traditional Mongolian music, echoing the sounds and vibrations of nature. As part of US-Mongolia cultural exchange, the ensemble seeks to celebrate and preserve the rich traditions of Mongolian music. The performance featured unique Mongolian elements, including the ancient art of Khoomii, or throat singing, while the troupe played traditional Mongolian stringed instruments such as the Morin Khuur. Adorned with a horsehead and strung with thick chords of horsehair, the instrument symbolizes Mongolia’s nomadic traditions, legendary horses, and the spirit of the land. With a membership largely composed of youth, the group also plays a vital role in helping Mongolian American children connect with their cultural heritage, fostering a sense of pride and preserving traditions for future generations.
Later in the event, economic experts—Angana Banerji from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Jamile Ramadan from the World Bank Group—offered their perspectives on Mongolia’s economic landscape. Ramadan highlighted the country’s ability to balance its economic interests despite its landlocked position between geopolitical giants—China and Russia. She emphasized that while Mongolia’s mining sector serves as a critical source of economic revenue, it also presents challenges due to over-reliance on a single industry. Diversifying the economy is crucial for long-term stability. Both experts also acknowledged the significant role of Mongolia’s rich cultural heritage in shaping its modern identity. Banerji, who noted the strong democratic spirit among Mongolians, also pointed out the need to preserve the country’s nomadic culture while fostering modernization. She stressed that modernity and cultural heritage must go hand in hand, with policies supporting both development and cultural preservation.
A key focus of international organizations, such as the World Bank, is ensuring that Mongolia’s economic growth translates into improved quality of life for its citizens, particularly in rural areas. Ramadan discussed efforts to improve infrastructure, healthcare, and education for nomadic herders. She also urged for more sustainable development practices and better disaster preparedness, especially when considering the harsh winter storms, or dzuds, that frequently disrupt rural communities. Furthermore, the disparity between urban and rural Mongolia must be addressed, with more focus on affordable housing and infrastructure. Both Banerji and Ramadan concluded that the success of these initiatives hinges not only on international support but also on the Mongolian government’s ability to build long-term, sustainable solutions.
Described as Mongolia’s “Third Neighbor,” the United States and Mongolia have developed a strong partnership focused on security cooperation, educational and cultural exchanges, and a growing trade and investment portfolio since establishing formal relations in 1987. In fact, the United States has been a key partner in supporting Mongolia’s democratic development, especially after their peaceful transition to democracy in the 1990s—making Mongolia the only post-communist consolidated democracy in Asia. Counterbalancing Russian and Chinese influence, the United States also supports Mongolia’s growing focus on education by providing opportunities for Mongolian students to study in the States. As a result, the United States has become the second most popular destination for Mongolian students studying abroad, with the number increasing by more than 12% within the past year. Notably, approximately one-third of Mongolia’s parliament are alumni of US exchange or training programs, and this figure grows when including other government officials, military commanders, business executives, and influential civil society representatives who have participated in US exchange programs or studied in the United States.
According to the US Department of State, more than 30,000 Mongolians live in the United States, with the highest concentrations in Illinois and California. As this partnership continues to flourish, it paves the way for deeper collaboration in security, trade, and people-to-people exchanges, strengthening the bonds between the United States and Mongolia. Celebrating cultural milestones, such as the second annual Congressional Lunar New Year event, mirrors Mongolia’s own commitment to preserving its rich cultural heritage. With the United States being home to the second-largest Mongolian population outside of Mongolia after South Korea, such celebrations not only honor traditions but also foster mutual respect, ensuring the continued success and growth of the US-Mongolia partnership for generations to come.
Emma Potts is a Spring 2025 Young Professional at the East-West Center in Washington. Emma recently graduated from Columbia University, majoring in Political Science and East Asian Languages & Cultures.
Tommis Meyer is a Spring 2025 Young Professional Intern at the East-West Center in Washington. Tommis is also in his final semester pursuing an undergraduate degree in Global International Relations at American University under its Joint Degree Program with Ritsumeikan University in Japan.