Exploring
the City on
the Steppes

© Tugsbileg Orgil (Jak)

Ulaanbaatar Promo Video Walk © Mend-Amar Baigalmaa

"Ulaanbaatar - The City on the Steppes"

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Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar is located in the heart of Asia and was founded in 1639. The city has witnessed many changes in urbanization and uncontrolled immigration during its history. Just in the last decade, 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 that we can rekindle that unique connection between the city and both its citizens and visitors. 
Urban Walks Mongolia Walking Tour 2023 © Mend-Amar Baigalmaa

Video "Walking Tour"

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Urban Walks Mongolia | Walking Tour 2023

Walking Tour


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Local Exhibition


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Exploring the City on the Steppes | Documentary

Exploring the City on the Steppes | Documentary

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Ulaanbaatar Documentary
After the walking tour, we wanted to present the route in more detail to all kinds of audiences, and we made a short documentary to introduce and share 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 is to make the audience understand how these old streets and historic buildings should be preserved for future generations.
 
Credits
Credits

EXPLORING THE CITY ON THE STEPPES
by Mend-Amar Baigalmaa & Erdene Enkhjargal


PRODUCTION
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
 
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

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
 
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
 
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