<strong>Naadam opening ceremony: </strong>Mongolia's annual Naadam festival is a nationwide celebration of traditional nomadic culture and heritage. Every year on July 11, an official grand opening ceremony is held at the National Station in Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar.
Naadam opening ceremony: Mongolia's annual Naadam festival is a nationwide celebration of traditional nomadic culture and heritage. Every year on July 11, an official grand opening ceremony is held at the National Station in Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar.
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<strong>Nine White Banners: </strong>Among the opening ceremony highlights is the parade of the Nine White Banners. The white banners were said to be carried during peace negotiations and festivals since the time of Genghis Khan.
Nine White Banners: Among the opening ceremony highlights is the parade of the Nine White Banners. The white banners were said to be carried during peace negotiations and festivals since the time of Genghis Khan.
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<strong>Packed house for 2023: </strong>Tickets to the opening and closing ceremonies in Ulaanbaatar are limited. The stadium seats 11,000 people and around 2,500 tickets are reserved for international tourists each year.
Packed house for 2023: Tickets to the opening and closing ceremonies in Ulaanbaatar are limited. The stadium seats 11,000 people and around 2,500 tickets are reserved for international tourists each year.
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<strong>The games: </strong>Naadam festivals are held all over the country. There are three main sporting competitions -- Mongolian wrestling, archery and horse racing.
The games: Naadam festivals are held all over the country. There are three main sporting competitions -- Mongolian wrestling, archery and horse racing.
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<strong>Horse racing: </strong>Mongolian child jockeys compete in a horse racing competition during the second day of the Naadam festival in Khui Doloon Khudag, on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar in 2016.
Horse racing: Mongolian child jockeys compete in a horse racing competition during the second day of the Naadam festival in Khui Doloon Khudag, on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar in 2016.
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<strong>Three Manly Games: </strong>The event is often referred to as "Eriin Gurvan Naadam" -- which translates to "Three Manly Games." Women can participate in the archery and horse racing events, but not wrestling.
Three Manly Games: The event is often referred to as "Eriin Gurvan Naadam" -- which translates to "Three Manly Games." Women can participate in the archery and horse racing events, but not wrestling.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
<strong>Skills on display:</strong> Women dressed in traditional Mongolian clothing compete against each other during Naadam archery matches in the capital.
Skills on display: Women dressed in traditional Mongolian clothing compete against each other during Naadam archery matches in the capital.
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<strong>National pride: </strong>A Mongolian artist prepares to perform on the outskirts of Ulaanbaator in 2016.
National pride: A Mongolian artist prepares to perform on the outskirts of Ulaanbaator in 2016.
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<strong>Khuushuur:</strong> In between the games, spectators would be wise to grab a khuushuur, a round deep-fried meat dumpling that is the unofficial Naadam snack.
Khuushuur: In between the games, spectators would be wise to grab a khuushuur, a round deep-fried meat dumpling that is the unofficial Naadam snack.
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<strong>National pride: </strong>A Mongolian family poses for a photo with people dressed in traditional costumes in the capital. "During the festival, it is possible to see pride, joy and happiness on every face," says Buyandelger Ganbaatar, of tour company Nomadic Expeditions. "Naadam has become (part of) the national identity of Mongols."
National pride: A Mongolian family poses for a photo with people dressed in traditional costumes in the capital. "During the festival, it is possible to see pride, joy and happiness on every face," says Buyandelger Ganbaatar, of tour company Nomadic Expeditions. "Naadam has become (part of) the national identity of Mongols."
Mark Schiefelbein/AP