The Khan Khentii Folk Song and Dance Theatre stands as a symbol of Eastern Mongolia’s rich heritage, traditions, and performing arts. This grand artistic institution has been the birthplace of many distinguished artists and renowned performers, shaping the cultural landscape of Mongolia. On the occasion of the theatre’s historic anniversary, we spoke with its director, State Honored Artist D. Tsogt-Erdene, who has dedicated 26 years of his career to the Khan Khentii Theatre—first as an artist and, in recent years, as its leader. Through his insights, we explore how the Khan Khentii Theatre is celebrating its 40th anniversary and what lies ahead.
How are preparations for the 40th anniversary of Khan Khentii Theatre progressing?
We are doing well, and I would like to extend my greetings to all members of the Khan Khentii community and our artists, past and present. The Khan Khentii Theatre was first established in 1958 as a Cultural Palace, later expanding into the Khan Khentii Folk Song and Dance Theatre in 1983. Since then, the theatre has been deeply engaged in preserving, promoting, and incorporating the traditions, customs, and way of life of Eastern Mongolia’s ethnic groups into its artistic productions.
Throughout this time, the Khan Khentii Theatre has nurtured numerous artists whose influence has reached both national and international stages. The achievements of these generations of talented artists, alongside their mentors and teachers, have built the foundation of 40 years of artistic excellence. This year, the 100th anniversary of the founding of Khentii Province coincides with our theatre’s 40th anniversary, making this a particularly meaningful milestone for us.
To mark the occasion, we have successfully moved into our new theatre building, and we are in the final stages of curating a new performing arts museum, which will open during the anniversary celebrations. Our anniversary performances are ready, and we are excited to share them with audiences. Looking ahead, our primary goal is to expand our theatre’s structure, recruit more professional artists, and broaden the scale of our productions to elevate the theatre to new heights.
The construction of the new theatre building was delayed for several years. Now that it has finally opened, how are you settling in?
The new theatre building is not just a home for our institution—it is an asset for all Mongolians and the people of Khentii Province. Thanks to government support for the arts, we have been provided with a modern performance venue complete with state-of-the-art equipment. This has significantly enhanced our ability to showcase high-quality artistic productions.
Our new facility includes a 600-seat auditorium, nine performance halls, 78 rooms, and an elevator for persons with disabilities, making it one of the most advanced regional theatres in Mongolia. With its modern technical systems and improved audience experience, the Khan Khentii Theatre is now fully prepared to continue its legacy and bring Eastern Mongolian culture to the world.
In 2024, Khan Khentii Theatre is set to expand its structure and activities. With the transition to a new building and its growing scope, will there be any changes to the theatre’s name?
Our institution will retain the name “Khan Khentii Folk Song and Dance Theatre.” Any changes in name or status can only be decided by the Ministry of Culture and the government’s cultural policies. When the theatre was first established, it operated with 83 staff members, but today, it functions with 58 employees. Moving forward, we plan to expand to a team of 130. Additionally, we are working on establishing a children’s theatre ensemble called “Andgai.” We also aim to introduce dramatic productions in the future.
We are committed to seizing every opportunity for artistic and institutional growth. Our primary goal is to enhance the skills of our artists and improve the quality of productions by collaborating with experienced mentors. Whenever we identify gaps in expertise, we intend to invite skilled professionals to train and guide our team.
As Khentii Province is developing as a tourist destination, major infrastructure projects are underway, and we anticipate welcoming both domestic and international visitors. To prepare for this, we must be ready and highly capable. We are planning to offer not only large-scale stage performances but also exclusive VIP shows, an equestrian theatre, and productions incorporating advanced technology. Khan Khentii Theatre is entering a new era of artistic and institutional growth.
You mentioned plans for an equestrian theatre. Could you elaborate on that?
Starting in 2024, we plan to establish an equestrian theatre within Khan Khentii Theatre. We have already acquired the necessary equipment and technical resources to support this initiative. This project is being actively supported by Governor Ts. Chogsomjav of Khentii Province, and the "Setsen Khan's Steeds" Horse Trainers Association has also contributed by donating horses for the program.
From next year, we will use this equestrian theatre to offer immersive cultural tourism experiences, showcasing Mongolia’s rich equestrian heritage through special performances and horse-themed concerts.
Khan Khentii Theatre has been working to establish major Mongolian operas in its repertoire. How is your production archive expanding, and what new works are currently in progress?
Our approach is to focus on producing one major high-quality production per year. In 2022, we successfully staged the opera "The Three Fateful Heads" (Учиртай 3 толгой). This year, we are preparing for the premiere of the opera "Chinggis Khaan," which is currently in production. Additionally, we are enriching our repertoire with the children’s musical play "The Talking Tree," ensuring a diverse selection of stage productions.
How actively are your artists engaged in international performances, and how do you promote your productions abroad?
The state rarely facilitates international tours or cultural exchanges for regional performing arts institutions, making opportunities for our artists to showcase their work abroad quite limited. In response, we have independently organized international exchanges, study tours, and performances in recent years to expand our reach, strengthen our network, and provide greater opportunities for our artists.
The Ministry of Culture was recently reestablished, and our province now has its own Department of Culture and Arts. How is your collaboration with them, and what support are you receiving from local authorities?
With the reestablishment of the Ministry of Culture and the launch of a local Department of Culture and Arts, we now have stronger institutional support. Culture is an expansive and multifaceted sector, and within it, performing arts require significant responsibility and dedication. We have already begun working closely with the Khentii Department of Culture and Arts, and their cooperation has been invaluable. Furthermore, regional authorities have been increasingly supportive of our activities. Moving forward, we plan to deepen our collaborations to further research, preserve, and promote Eastern Mongolian cultural heritage, as well as expand Khan Khentii Theatre’s operations.
Khan Khentii Theatre has produced many acclaimed and honored artists, and it consistently leads in national competitions for professional performing arts organizations. What is the key to this success?
Absolutely. Many of Mongolia’s most distinguished and honored artists have emerged from Khan Khentii Theatre. From the earliest days of the Cultural Palace, we have seen remarkable individuals rise to prominence based on their innate artistic talent. Over the years, artists who began their careers at Khan Khentii Theatre have achieved one People’s Artist of Mongolia title, six State Merited Cultural Worker titles, and eight State Honored Artist titles.
This enduring success is the result of the tireless dedication, training, and artistic excellence of these masters and their teachers, who have guided the theatre to leadership in the performing arts sector. However, the true core of our theatre’s identity lies in its deep-rooted connection to the traditions, way of life, and cultural heritage of Eastern Mongolia’s ethnic communities. By meticulously researching, preserving, and integrating these cultural elements into our performances, we have distinguished ourselves among the 21 professional provincial theatres of Mongolia. The foundation laid by four legendary master artists and their unwavering commitment to excellence has set a high artistic standard that we continuously strive to uphold.
How long have you been working at Khan Khentii Theatre?
I joined Khan Khentii Theatre as a dancer in 1997. From 2000 to 2004, I studied at the Mongolian State University of Arts and Culture (SUIS), specializing in choreography, directing, and teaching. After graduating, I returned as a dance instructor at Khan Khentii Theatre, where I worked until 2018. Since 2018, I have been serving as the director of Khan Khentii Theatre.
What message would you like to share with the Khan Khentii community and your colleagues?
To all Khan Khentii residents, past and present members of the theatre, and our young generation of artists, I extend my heartfelt congratulations on the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Khentii’s professional performing arts institution and the 40th anniversary of Khan Khentii Folk Song and Dance Theatre.
May the spirit of art and the blessings of the goddess Yanjinlkham always guide and protect you.
Thank you for the interview.