Mongolia Society celebrates the Year of the Mouse

The IU Central Eurasian Studies Program and the Mongolia Society teamed up Friday to celebrate the Year of the Mouse with food and entertainment at the University Club in the Indiana Memorial Union. \nThe bilingual festivities started with Chris Atwood, associate professor of Mongolian studies in the Central Eurasian Studies Program, explaining the history behind the celebration of the Mongolian New Year and that this year is the Year of the Mouse. \nAtwood said the Mongolian New Year occurs every year but the Year of the Mouse only comes every 12 years. \n“It’s a fun holiday,” Atwood said. “One that’s about celebrating family, good times, arts, food and culture.”\nChairman of the Board of the Mongolia Society Gyorgy Kara elaborated on the history of the Mongolian New Year.\nThe crowd of about 100 people of all ages and backgrounds then began eating while the performers prepared for their performances.\nSusie Drost, treasurer of the Mongolia Society, prepared the food, which she said included a blend of Mongolian and Lebanese dishes because she is Lebanese. Some of the food and drink offered to the crowd in a buffet style included steamed dumplings, cheese and crackers, fruit, wine and water. \nDrost also said IU is the only place where you can get a degree in Mongolian studies. The Mongolia Society and the Mongolian Studies Program have collaborated in the New Year celebrations for about 15 to 17 years, Drost said.\nAfter giving everyone a little bit of time to get food, the performances began.\nThere were 10 performances altogether. Most of them included traditional Mongolian songs, poems and dances. Students in the Mongolian Studies Program performed many of the songs. \nIU student Muhammad Sadiq said he enjoyed a performance of “Gobi in my Heart” the best because of the piano and horse-head fiddle, a wooden instrument with two strings and a horse head figure at the top, that was used to perform it.\n“I am a full-time scholar, and (came) to learn about other cultures,” Sadiq said.\nThe performers practiced for about two to three weeks to prepare for the celebration, said senior Keren Deckard, who is majoring in Mongolian studies. \nThe night ended with a traditional Mongolian circle dance, in which students in Mongolian studies and audience members participated.\nAtwood encouraged everyone to come to next year’s celebration if they missed it this year.\n“We always welcome people who want a taste of Mongolian culture, hospitality and food,” Atwood said.