THE CHINGGIS KHAAN ORDER CONFERRED ON THE HU BAND
On the first day and month of the Year of the Yellow Pig of the 16th sixty-year cycle in the lunar calendar, a ceremony for presenting the Chinggis Khaan Order took place in the Chamber of Nine White Banners of the State Palace.
Upon the decision to award the Hu Band with the highest state decoration of Mongolia—the Chinggis Khaan Order, President of Mongolia Khaltmaagiin Battulga issued a decree, which was recited to the gathered guests of honor today.
In the presidential decree:
“Authorized by Article 33, Section 1, and Clause 7 of the Constitution of Mongolia and Article 15, Section 1 of the Law on the President of Mongolia, I hereby DECREE that:
On the occasion of the 2228th anniversary of the Mongolian Statehood, the 813th anniversary of the Great Mongol Empire, the 857th birth anniversary of the Great Chinggis Khaan, and the National Pride Day, the Hu Band shall be awarded with the highest state decoration of Mongolia—the Chinggis Khaan Order—for creating a new musical genre that is ‘the hunnu rock’ by blending the immeasurable heritage of traditional Mongolian culture and folk arts reflecting the glory and proud history of the Great Mongol Empire and the forefathers with the rhythm and melody of modern music; promoting its music in Mongolian lyrics around the world, and propagating a good image of our country and its people.”
On behalf of the Hu Band, Producer B.Dashdondog received the award from the President.
President Battulga then delivered a speech:
“Fellow countrymen,
Mongolians across the globe,
I extend cordial greetings on the occasion of the 857th birth anniversary of the Great Chinggis Khaan and the National Pride Day.
While the memories of many historic figures and events fade into the depths of time, the human kind continues to cast light upon the glory of the Great Chinggis Khaan. German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel wrote, “…The history of mankind begins with the Mongols. They are a nation who for the first time founded Rechtsstaat,” in his book published in 1837.
The ‘Rechtsstaat’ that is mentioned by the philosopher was the Mongolian State which the Great Chinggis Khaan endeavored to build at the expense of his own health (an idea that is expressed with his famous saying “If my body decays, let my body decay. But do not let my country tumble.”) Chinggis Khaan believed that punishing those who are guilty of wrongdoing and rewarding those who are meritorious is a principal responsibility of the State.
The Mongolian State is rewarding meritorious figures today.
Fellow Mongolians,
It was decided that on the National Pride Day, the birth anniversary of the noble man, the Chinggis Khaan Order will be conferred on the Hu Band, a music group that has made it to places which the Great Khaan didn’t set his foot on, is promoting the prestige of Mongolia with its cultural heritage, debuting ‘the hunnu rock’, a new genre of rock music that is resounding the name of Mongolia to the ears of the world, and shining as bright.
I am proud of You. The Mongolian people are rejoicing for You. We thank You for proving to the world that the sound of Mongolia is not that of a motor, but a melody coming from the hearts of horsemen, as described by poet R.Choinom in his poem titled ‘My Mongolia’.
This is the joint efforts and success of young Mongolians descended from nomads. On behalf of the Mongolian people, I am conferring the Chinggis Khaan Order upon the Hu Band, led by State Honored Artist of Mongolia, Producer Dashdondog Bayarmagnai, with Members Galbadrakh Tsendbaatar, Enkhsaikhan Batsaikhan, Nyamjantsan Galsanjamts, Temuulen Naranbaatar, Odbayar Gantumur, Jambaldorj Ayushjav, Unumunkh Maralkhuu, and Batkhuu Batbayar and Managers Nadmidtulga Tsendbaatar and Brandon Friesen.
The Hu Band’s choice of its debut album title—The Gereg—was quite on point. Just like the Golden Gerege (paiza) granted by the Great Chinggis Khaan, Your music is promoting the name of Mongolia and touching the hearts of its listeners. I am hopeful and confident that Your pathways will remain clearer than ever, enabling many young artists to follow in your footsteps.
The Hu Band’s first track—the first Mongolian ‘hunnu rock’ song—reached 26 million viewers on the internet within a year, and the number continues to rise by the day. Starting in June, 2019, the band successfully made its first tour with performances at 23 music festivals in 13 European cities. The band is now touring in the United States and Canada, having played over 60 shows.
At the moment of honoring You with this prestigious award, I remembered the time when the Beatles received the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) medals back in 1965. On the same grounds, I am awarding the Hu Band with the highest state decoration of Mongolia—The Chinggis Khaan Order—today.
I wish you a successful career, happiness, and well-being.
Let us revere the brilliance of the Great Chinggis Khaan, who was descended from the Tengri and is the foremost pride of the Mongols. May the Mongolian State that You built and Your spirit bless us, the descendants, for times to come!
May the Eternal Sky bless us!”