The Goethe-Institute initiated the "Urban Walks" regional project, which includes seven East Asian cities: Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Ulaanbaatar.
The Ulaanbaatar team implemented this project under the name "Exploring the City on the Steppes" by Mend-Amar Baigalmaa & Erdene Enkhjargal. The project continued from April to November 2023, and during this period, the following events took place:
Part I: Brief introduction to the Ulaanbaatar International Media Art Festival (May 2023).
Part II: Walking tour of the city with more than 20 participants guided by Ochbayar Gerel, a researcher from the Ulaanbaatar City Museum (27.08.2023).
Part III: An exhibition combining historical photographs and modern 360-degree videos of sections along the route, presented in the Red Ger Gallery.
Part IV: A short documentary about the history, features, and memories of Ulaanbaatar along the selected route. Six guests shared their memories of the buildings along the chosen route. The aim was to help the audience understand how these old streets and historic buildings should be preserved for future generations.
"Located in the heart of Asia, Ulaanbaatar City has witnessed many changes in urbanization and uncontrolled immigration throughout its history since 1639. In the last few decades, the citizens of Ulaanbaatar have seen many historical buildings and sights disappear to make space for generic and characterless office and high-rise apartment buildings.
It is important to understand that a city is not just an assortment of buildings but rather a living organism that thrives on the memories and lives of its citizens.
This project aims to discover and explore the beauty of Ulaanbaatar through urban walking in the hopes of rekindling the unique connection between the city and both its citizens and visitors..."
PRODUCTION
Director: Erdene Enkhjargal
Producer: Mend-Amar Baigalmaa
Cinematography: Tugsbileg Orgil
Drone: Mathieu Bernard Hagg
360 Camera: Bolorsuvd Olzod, Dulguun Enkhtsog
Editor: Erdene Enkhjargal
Sound Design: Enkhmanlai Chuluunjav
Illustration: Uuganbaatar Munkhbat
Map Illustration: Byambajavkhlan Baigalmaa
Tour Guide: Ochbayar Gerel
Research Advisor: Ochbayar Gerel
Translation: Zorigt Jargalsaikhan
Translation editor: Mathieu Bernard Hagg
GUESTS
Sanjmyatav Lovuu, Photojournalist
Tsetsenbileg Magsarjav, Cultural heritage specialist and lead singer of alternative rock band Night Train
Uranchimeg Zinamider, Hairdresser
Ochbayar Gerel, Researcher at Ulaanbaatar City Museum
Irja Halász, Finnish journalist and producer
Amgalan Sukhbaatar, Architect and urban anthropologist
ADVISORS
Pau Szczap, Amgalan Sukhbaatar, Tserendolgor Saintur, Bilguun Tsogtbaatar, Mathieu Bernard Hagg, Batzorig Sukhbat
MUSIC
Night Train - Blue Bird
Murdorj Luvsanjamba - My Homeland
Bodikhuu - City Sadness; Spring
Altai Band - Altai Praise Song; Khukh Altain Uyanga
Adarsuren Peljee - Huvirashgui Setge; Niisleliin Okhin
Delkhii - Lord of the Land
PHOTO
Harrison Forman, Werner Forman, Nyamtsogt Galsantseren, Tugsbileg Orgil, Thierry de Gruben, Péter Inkei, Bat-Orgil Battulga, Irja Halász, Teemu Ikonen, Munkhtsetseg Nyamgerel, Batzorig Battulga, Mend-Amar Baigalmaa and Ben Moyle
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Leonhard Heydecker, Odgerel Odonchimed, Dorjkhand Davaa, Gantsetseg Tumurbaatar, Bilegsaikhan Davaadorj, Nagnaidorj Badamsuren, Bilguun Tsogtbaatar, Georgia Brown
Goethe-Institute Mongolia, Arts Council of Mongolia, Red Ger Gallery, University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin, American Geographical Society Library, Monsound and Vision Foundation, Antitheziz Atelier, Noise Art Media