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Language & Script
Why Is Mongolian Calligraphy at Risk of Disappearing?
The vertical Mongolian script was placed on UNESCO's Urgent Safeguarding List as the number of skilled writers fell.
UNESCO placed Mongolian calligraphy on its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2013. The listing notes that the classical vertical script, used for centuries, lost ground during the 20th century when Cyrillic became standard.
Only a small number of master calligraphers remained to teach the art, which UNESCO described as being at risk. Safeguarding efforts focus on training young people and bringing the script back into schools.
The story mirrors the fate of many proverbs: knowledge held by a few elders survives only if it is written down and taught again.