At the international competition "Best Calligrapher of 2025," which is organized annually by the newspaper "Khumuun Bichig" in collaboration with the National Information Agency "MONTSAME," employees of the US Embassy participated. This was reported by MiddleAsianNews.
Among the participants was Richard Buangan, the US Ambassador to Mongolia, who was awarded a special prize for his contribution to the promotion of Mongolian writing.
“I am grateful to President Khurelsukh Ukhna for recognizing my work presented at the 'Best Mongolian Calligrapher 2025' competition during yesterday's ceremony. It was an honor for me to receive recognition among leading Mongolian calligraphers and my colleagues from the diplomatic corps. This year, three Americans from our embassy showcased their works, and I am proud that all of them found a place in this outstanding exhibition. Although the process was not easy, studying and practicing traditional Mongolian calligraphy over the past year has been a valuable experience for me. I am glad that events like 'Best Mongolian Calligrapher' continue to support this wonderful tradition,” shared Ambassador Richard Buangan on his page.
This year, three employees of the American diplomatic mission participated in the competition, which preparation lasted over a year. Ambassador Richard Buangan and his two colleagues dedicated about a month to creating their works, carefully refining every detail. Having been in Mongolia for almost three years, he has been consistently studying the Mongolian language and actively engaging with Mongolian writing, which requires significant effort due to its complexity. He considers participating in the competition an important step in mastering the language and culture of the host country.
Over the past year, the ambassador has actively developed his calligraphy skills, striving for precision and aesthetic perfection. The ability to compose greetings and simple texts in Mongolian has become a significant achievement for him both professionally and personally.
The ambassador plans to continue studying Mongolian writing both during his service in Mongolia and after its completion. He is proud of his achievements, considering the complexity of the language and its cultural nuances,” noted John Conard, the second secretary of the US Embassy.
