- The 19th annual Golden Eagle Festival is taking place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on March 8, 2025.
- The festival celebrates Mongolia’s rich cultural heritage and eagle hunting traditions.
- Participants include 22 Mongolian hunters and guests from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
- The event plays a significant role in boosting Mongolia’s tourism sector.
- Attractions include eagle hunting competitions, archery, and traditional Kazakh games.
The annual Golden Eagle Festival 2025 is being held at the Chinggis Khan Complex in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. This year marks the festival’s 19th edition, taking place on March 8, 2025. The event, spanning the entire weekend, draws participants and visitors from both Mongolia and abroad.
The festival highlights Mongolia’s deep-rooted cultural traditions, particularly the ancient art of eagle hunting. Visitors can witness the skill and dedication of eagle hunters while immersing themselves in the country’s nomadic heritage.
Celebrating Heritage
The Golden Eagle Festival showcases the unique bond between eagle hunters and their birds, an integral part of Mongolia’s cultural identity. This year, 22 eagle hunters from various Mongolian provinces, including Bayan-Ölgii, Töv, Selenge, and Arkhangai, are competing. Additionally, participants from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are taking part, reinforcing Central Asia’s shared nomadic traditions.
The festival opened with a speech by Sh. Ankhmaa, Director of the Social Policy Department at the National Development and Reform Commission. She emphasized the significance of preserving Mongolia’s warrior heritage.
“The Golden Eagle Festival celebrates our warrior spirit, unique culture, and way of life. We are committed to passing these traditions down to future generations while promoting Mongolia’s global appeal,” Ankhmaa stated.
Expanding Tourism Industry
Mongolia’s tourism sector has seen significant growth, partly due to the “Visit Mongolia Year” initiative running from 2023 to 2028. In 2024, the country welcomed a record 805,000 tourists, the highest in its history. This success is attributed to collaboration between the capital’s government, local institutions, tourism professionals, and private enterprises.
The Golden Eagle Festival plays a key role in boosting tourism, attracting thousands of international visitors each year. Ankhmaa expressed optimism that the festival will further strengthen Mongolia’s economy and cultural tourism industry.
A Weekend of Cultural Immersion
Visitors to the Golden Eagle Festival can experience a variety of cultural activities. Attractions include a Mongolian hunter and taiga dog museum, horseback and camel riding, and traditional archery. Guests can also try Altybakan, a Kazakh-style swing, and dress in traditional Kazakh attire for photo sessions in yurts.
A major highlight of the festival is the eagle hunting competition, where hunters demonstrate their remarkable falconry skills. Other exciting performances include a horseback archery show by the “Eft Sum” club, a Mongolian Falconry Association falcon and hawk display, and a traditional Mongolian hunter exhibition. Kazakh national games like Kokpar, a horseback tug-of-war, and a coin-picking contest add to the entertainment.
The Golden Eagle Festival is not only a celebration of Mongolian heritage but also an essential part of the country’s tourism development. As global interest in Mongolia’s nomadic traditions grows, the festival continues to gain significance. It offers a platform for cultural preservation while contributing to the local economy.
With continued government support and increasing international recognition, the Golden Eagle Festival remains a must-visit event, allowing the world to witness Mongolia’s rich traditions firsthand.