On February 5, Mongolia (and many other Asian countries) begins the Year of the Pig, a time of happiness, wealth and contentment. At least for everyone who believes in horoscopes 😉. The starting point is the Mongolian New Year festival Tsagaan Sar. After the Nadaam festival, this festival of the “White Moon” is one of the most important events in Mongolia and is celebrated over three days. It can, but doesn’t always, coincide with the Chinese New Year festival.

It is a celebration where families come together to celebrate over days. Candles are lit to symbolize the Buddhist enlightenment, small gifts are exchanged and there is a lot of feasting on typical Mongolian food. And whoever finds a coin in in one of the many pre-prepared “Buuz” (traditional dumplings) will have great luck in the year to come.