The Ayalga Cultural Festival celebrates Buryat song to encourage younger generations to learn and sustain the Buryat language. Ayalga means “melody” in Buryat and through melody younger generations in New York City and beyond can learn this endangered language.
Ayalga consists of a gala concert and a song competition. Participants compete for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes for best song in three age groups: “children” ages 7-15, “adults” ages 16-35, and “elders” ages 35 and up. The winners of each group prize are then announced at a gala concert that includes performances by the winners.
This event is a collaboration between the Mongolian Buryat Association and the Center for Traditional Music and Dance.
This program is made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.