In May, project team members V.L. Klyaus, A.N. Bitkeeva, D.B. Sundueva, E.A. Volkova and A.V. Isakov conducted field research in Mongolia. The main objectives were to explore the traditions of the Russian old settler population, particularly their Easter celebrations, and document customs associated with the day of commemoration of the dead (Radunitsa).
The researchers visited Darkhan, Züünkharaa and, of course, Ulaanbaatar. They gathered photographs depicting the state of preservation of Russian cemeteries in these cities. They also interviewed the old-settlers who provided information about Easter traditions and the celebration of other significant days in the folk calendar. In addition, the team worked at the National Archives of Mongolia and the archives of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia to identify sources on the history of old-settlers.
The collected data will serve as a basis for presentations, papers and a collective monograph, which is planned to be published as an outcome of the project.
