ARTS FOR SOCIAL CHANGES

MONGOLIAN FRIENDS OF SHAKESPEARE (2001-2003)

The program started in 2003 by financial support of the British Embassy and Soros Foundation and it is a part of long-term program aimed at assisting the development of a creative, civic-minded citizenry and independent individuals, provide the children opportunity for better understanding classics, promote their aesthetic feeling, support forms of school community arts and use classic arts as educational tool through great ideas of Shakespeare, distinguished British poet, writer and thinker, and raise public awareness for improving conditions for children to demonstrate their talents and abilities.

Shakespeare in Mongolia (Background information)

Children festival

Since start of the program 2 children festivals were organized in 2001 and 2003. Children festival includes 2 types of contests: drama, painting " Shakespeare's heroes with my eyes' and quiz " Who knows Shakespeare well ?"

Latest festival organized in 2003. Festival was organized in cooperation with State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet (SATOB) and financially supported by the British Embassy in Mongolia, New Tel Card LLC, Mongolian Chamber, Mongolian-British Society and Admon LLC.

Opening ceremony was held on November 14, 2003 at the State Academic Drama Theatre and 300 guests such as representatives of sponsors students, children, actors, and parents attended. Ms H.Naranjargal, President of the Globe International and Mr Erdenebaatar, chief-in-director of SATOB had a speech and wished the success children in their future development. Ms Jean Rouse attended the opening ceremony of festival and handed over awards to winners of quiz contest. Students of Music and Dance College of Mongolia congratulated their friends by their performances of classical music, and students of cinema and drama school “Khartsaga” played special drama performance and acted in pieces of Shakespeare’s plays such as “Othello”, “Hamlet”, “King Lear” and “Romeo & Juliet”. During the festival SATOB performed “Merry Wives of Windsor” /November 16, 2003/ and “Othello” /November 21, 2003/.

Closing ceremony of the festival was held on November 21 at the State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet and about 200 guests. Representatives of sponsor organizations handed over prizes to the winners of drama contest. Mr L.Erdenebulgan, famous Mongolian opera director awarded by the Globe International by special gift at the closing ceremony. He has directed 2 operas “Othello” and “Merry Wives of Windsor” of Shakespeare in the stage of Mongolian State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet.

Exhibition
In the framework of the 2nd Children Art Festival, project staff organized the exhibition “Shakespeare in Mongolia”. Exhibition was opened on November 15, 2003 at the Theatrical Museum of Mongolia. Exhibition demonstrated paintings of prize winners of painting contests, and works of quiz contest. Costumes, stage design, photos of Shakespeare’s plays performed by State Drama Academic Theatre of Mongolia were also placed at the exhibition. 40 students, 6 teachers from secondary schools and 6 Mongolian famous actors attended at the opening of the ceremony of the exhibition. Winners of painting contest received their prizes.

Quiz contest “Who knows Shakespeare well?”
48 pupils 10-13 years old from 15 secondary school participated in the competition. They answered 20 questions about Shakespeare’s life, plays, Mongolian actors, who played in his plays, Mongolian translators and also about Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Judges selected 8 works of children, which were really good and beautiful, also they especially paid the attention to children’s knowledge about related topics. School No 86 and private secondary school “Sant” took an active participation in the quiz contest. Winners of quiz contest received their prizes at the opening ceremony of the 2nd Children Arts Festival, which was held on November 14, 2003 at the State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet.

Painting contest “Shakespeare’s heroes through my eyes”
Goals of this contest were to realize children’s dream through the painting, to develop their imaginative ability, and opinion about the world and life.

65 pupils 13-17 years old participated with their 120 works in the painting contest. Judges selected 9 works of 120 paintings and winners were awarded on 15 November, 2003 at the opening ceremony of exhibition “Shakespeare in Mongolia” held at the Mongolian Theatrical Museum.

Drama contest “Shakespeare’s plays”
The contest had goals to develop children’s talent and ability, to give the understanding of beauty of the arts. According to the terms of conditions of the contest, drama teams consisted of 3-5 members. Every team had shown performances in 8-12 minute from Shakespeare’s plays under their teachers' leadership. Drama contest involved 152 students of 34 teams. First stage of the contest was organized on November 10, 2003 at the “Student” theatre of the University of Arts and Cultures. 16 teams were chosen by the judges committee for the next stage. Second stage of the contest was held on November 19, 2003 at the State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet. More than 200 children and teachers came to support and applause their drama teams. 7 teams had been selected as winners.

Creative meetings
During the days of the festival, project staff organized 3 meetings of children with Mongolian famous actors, who played in the Shakespeare’s plays. Meetings were organized at the big hall of the Theatrical museum and children had opportunity to meet State honored actress Mrs D.Mendbayar on November 17 2003, Heroe of labor, State Prize Winner actor Mr G.Gombosuren, State Honored actress Mrs J.Lkhamkhuu and actress H.Narantuya on 18 November 2003, State Prize Winner actress Mrs N.Suvd, State Honored actor P.Tserendagva November 20, 2003. Meetings involved 178 students and 14 teachers from secondary schools.

Project staff printed coloured A4 fliers in 5000 pieces, and widely distributed to the schools of city and 10 provinces, children organizations and to the public. Fliers provided information on the project and terms of conditions. During the 8 months the project staff prepared 5 TV programs on the TV 9, TV 5, MNTV, 4 programs on Mongolian Radio. Festival organizers also installed 2 billboards /28 m2, 18 m2/ inside and outside of State Academic Drama Theatre.

Using Shakespeare in Education

Workshops were organized in cooperation with UB City Department of Education. Adam Coleman, practitioner from the International Shakespeare " Globe" Center based in London came to Mongolia and conducted 7 workshops: 3 days for teachers and 6 for students and involved 20 teachers and 180 students from Mongolian National University, Mongolian Pedagogical University, Mongolian National University of Arts and Culture, University of Humanitarian Studies, Film school Bers, and Institute of Radio and Television. During the workshops participants gained knowledge matters on Shakespeare's studies, history and tradition of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and modern interpretation of his works at the present and teachers obtained new skills of conducting lessons on Shakespeare. Process of workshops recorded in video.

Handbook: Using Shakespeare in Education was produced by project staff

Shakespeare's Birthday celebration
Globe International celebrates Shakespeare's Birthday every year on 23d April since 2002. Famous creative workers, young actors, translators, journalists and celebrities join for parties.

Educational materials
- Newspaper publications

Globe International cooperates with weekly newspaper "World of Arts" and publish promotional materials about Shakespeare and his works. Educational materials are devoted to children, who wish to attend the Quiz competition and also general public

Shakespeare's plays performed in Mongolia

- Books available for sale

• W. Shakespeare: Tragedies, Price 5000 MNT

The first Mongolian edition includes Hamlet, Othello, Romeo and Juliet, King Lear and Macbeth. Translators are Ch. Chimid, E.Oyun and H.Mergen Book presentation was organized on May 9,2001 at the Natsagdorj City Public Library and it involved about 40 writers, translators, theatre directors, actors, teachers and journalists.

• A.Anixt “W.Shakespeare”, Price 3000 MNT

Project staff re-printed a book “W. Shakespeare” by the famous Russian dramatist A.Anixt in 500 copies. The book first was translated by Mr. Sharhuu in the 1970s. He is a popular professor and he has started Shakespeare's study in Mongolia. This book was a main resource book for the children and teachers for successful participation in the quiz contest.

• 3. W.Shakespeare: Comedies, Price 8000 MNT

Edition of comedies printed in 2000 copies. This book includes “Merchant from Venice”, “The Two Gentlemen from Verona”, “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Taming of the Shrew”, “Midsummer nights dream”. Works were translated by B.Narantyua, D.Ayush and H. Mergen from English. 1906 books were donated to 6 public libraries, 18 universities and institutes and 401 secondary schools of Ulaanbaatar and provinces. The book presentation was held on 6 October 2003 at Children's Book Palace and 50 participants-representatives of arts community, translators’ actors, who played in the Shakespeare’s plays in Mongolian theatres, heads of secondary schools and arts universities invited. The presentation was opened by H.Naranjargal, project leader and Mr. S.Dulam, MP and Mr. David Lambert had taken speeches.