The American Center for Mongolian Studies (ACMS) recently hosted an insightful Speaker Series talk titled “Passing on the Bii Biyelgee Dance: A Relational Approach to Transmission in Intangible Cultural Heritage and Dance” by Dr. Raphaël Blanchier of Université Clermont Auvergne and CNRS-LESC-CREM.
Dr. Blanchier’s lecture shed new light on the traditional Bii biyelgee dance of the Oirat Mongols, a vibrant art form recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Drawing on years of ethnographic research in Mongolia, he explored how this centuries-old dance is transmitted across generations — through both formal teaching in classrooms and dance ensembles, and informal, collaborative practices within families and communities.
Highlighting stories from his fieldwork, Dr. Blanchier emphasized that these relational modes of transmission are not only central to safeguarding the tradition but also to revitalizing Bii biyelgee in contemporary Mongolia, ensuring it remains a living heritage for future generations.
Beyond the focus on Bii biyelgee, Dr. Blanchier also spoke about his broader research on dance, ritual performance, and intangible cultural heritage and his efforts to strengthen academic and cultural ties between France and Mongolia.
The lecture drew keen interest from scholars, artists, and cultural heritage advocates who joined the discussion to exchange views on challenges and opportunities for safeguarding endangered traditional performing arts in today’s rapidly changing society.
“Bii biyelgee is more than a dance—it’s a collective memory, a form of cultural resilience,” Dr. Blanchier noted during the talk.
The full recording of the event is available on the ACMS YouTube channel.