The “Traditional Tsuur wind instrument” program conceived by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism was accepted during Friday`s cabinet meeting.

The traditional Tsuur wind instrument that originated from the Uriankhai people of the Altai Mountains is a rare intangible cultural heritage passed down in nomadic culture and life to the present day. But now the traditional Tsuur wind instrument, even the method of making the instrument, could disappear. Even musicians who can play the instrument are rare.

Thus the traditional wind instrument, Tsuur, was inscribed to the UNESCO List of Intangible Heritages that is composed of heritages that are threatened and in need of urgent measures to keep them alive in 2009.

Now there are only few people who have inherited and learnt the culture of playing the traditional wind instrument of Tsuur from the Uriankhai ethnic group, in Western Mongolia. They learnt from the last talented musician Narantsogt Paarai, a native from Duut sum in Khovd aimag, to play and promote the music. The descendants of this talented musician of the tsuur, Narantsogt Paarai, and scholars of folk music founded the “Association of Hunnu Tsuur” in 2006 and now train the next generation of Tsuur players.

But the association struggles to survive due to lack of finance, little skill and repertoire and attendance of learners and teachers.

Therefore, the “traditional Tsuur wind instrument” national program will be launched nationwide within state policy to support the restoration of the traditional wind instrument and to promoting its music to the next generation with the collaboration of local governors.