The Drink
Airag Fest in Mongolia is a vibrant and culturally rich festival dedicated to celebrating airag, a traditional Mongolian drink made from fermented mare's milk. This festival highlights Mongolia's nomadic heritage and provides a unique insight into the country's customs and traditions.
People and Animals
The Airag Feast is a significant event in Mongolian culture, where families and communities gather to celebrate the summer by sharing food and coming together. A lively scene of people and animals gathered around large vats can be seen in a beautiful painting,
The Events
The events happeninig during the festival include: airag making contests, horse races, and traditional Mongolian sports like archery and wrestling. The festival also features traditional Mongolian music, throat singing, and dance performances.
Nomadic Practices
Attendees can observe and participate in traditional nomadic practices such as yurt (ger) building, milking mares, and preparing traditional Mongolian cuisine.
The Timing
The festival usually takes place in late summer, around August. It is held in various regions of Mongolia, with one of the most prominent locations being in Bulgan Province, specifically in the Orkhon Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Aerial Perspective
The painting aims to portray the soldiers fighting in an orderly manner from high ground and includes various events from an aerial perspective.
Painting Techniques
Traditional Mongol painting techniques are utilized, including the representation of the horizon jutting above the mountains, the blue sky, clouds, and trees against a pale yellow backdrop.
A Woman Sprinkling Milk
On the lower right side of the painting, we can see a woman standing with a dog outside her house, sprinkling milk as a symbol of blessing a victory and her son farewell, who has joined the People's Regular Army.
General D. Sukhbaatar
This part of the painting shows General D. Sukhbaatar, leader of the People's Regular Army, in the center. He is mounted on a horse, carrying guns and swords, and is seen battling from the southwestern front with a sword in hand.
The Red Flag of the People's Regular Army
The red flag of the People's Regular Army waves proudly behind General Sukhbaatar. Warriors on horseback charge forward, their weapons raised in a show of force. The scene is filled with a sense of national pride and determination.
The Battle
This painting, inspired by historical sources, depicts the decisive victory of the People's Regular Army and the significance of this event.