his discussion was organized by two organizations, namely In’glyan (the Association of Women of Kalmykia) and Bilgin Dala. The discussion starts with a well-wish uttered by Viktor Mandzhiev. Then Arvan Karmanov, chair of the discussion, reads out a text about how Tsagan Sar was celebrated in the Mongolian empire. Viktor Mandzhiev: Before Khubilai Khan (a Mongolian emperor), Tsagan Sar was celebrated in October on the first day of the month of the mouse. During the reign of Khubilai Khan, however, Mongols started to celebrate this holiday in the first month of spring, which was a Chinese influence. Traditionally, before Tsagan Sar the Kalmyks made bortsg biscuits, repaid their loans and put on new clothes. On the day of the celebration itself people read prayers to the goddess Okn Tengr (Palden Lhamo) and lit candles. Ochir Terbataev: During Tsagan Sar the Kalmyks moved from their winter camps to their summer ones. Gennady Korneev: Tsagan Sar is important because it is associated with the Clear script (Tod bichg). In the biography of Zaya Pandita it is mentioned that he compiled the Clear script while celebrating Tsagan Sar in 1648 with Ablai Khan at the royal winter camp on the banks of the Chui river. There is another interesting historical fact related to this holiday. The Russian ambassador to Dzungaria, Unkovsky, witnessed the celebration of Tsagan Sar by Khuntaidzhi Khan who held a Buddhist dance of Tsam. Unkovsky described the dance in his diary. The first law about universal education was adopted during the reign of Donduk Dashi Khan of Kalmykia. According to this law, all men were supposed to learn how to read and write. In Europe a similar law was adopted only 11 years later. Viktor Mandzhiev: Tsagan Sar is related to the goddess Palden Lhamo, a protector of the Kalmyks, Tibet and the Dalai Lama himself. Gennady Korneev: Tsagan Sar is called different names by various related peoples as follows. Among the Tuvinians it is called Shaga Bairam, the Altaians call it Chaga Bairam, the Buryats know it as Sagalgan, and both the Kalmyks and the Mongols call it Tsagan Sar. During Tsagan Sar cows give more milk than usual, and people therefore consume more milk products. Perhaps, Tsagan Sar (lit. white month) is called so because of this. Basan Zakharov: Tsagan Sar has a shamanic origin. Before Khubilai Khan, it was celebrated in the autumn in the month of the mouse. Khubilai Khan moved the date to spring in accordance with the Chinese calendar. A legend...