Sükhbaatar Square
Encyclopedia
Sükhbaatar Square is the central square
of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
. It is named after and features a statue of Damdin Sükhbaatar, leader of Mongolia's 1921 revolution
. The statue is located right in front of the Saaral Ordon (Government Palace).
would pass through it on his royal procession to the Yellow Palace in the central temple-palace complex of the city. This central temple-palace complex (now completely destroyed), the largest and oldest section of Ulaanbaatar, was called the Zuun Khuree or Eastern Monastery and faced Sukhbaatar Square from the north. It had a large square of its own (the former main square of the city) where Mongolian wrestling
and Tsam dances took place in the presence of nobles and clergy.
(built in 1951 on the spot of the Green Domed Theatre), the Golomt Bank
, the Central Post Office, the Culture Palace and, until 2005, Sükhbaatar's Mausoleum. The Green Domed Theatre was built in 1926 and burned down unexpectedly in 1949. A well-known story related by witnesses of the event tells of a passer-by who exclaimed "our theatre sure burns nicely" as the cultural monument blazed brightly during the night. He was quickly apprehended and severely punished by the authorities. The City Administration building was formerly a hotel and was built in 1936. Other buildings surrounding the square include the Lenin Club building (1929), Printing Press (1929), State Ballet and Opera House (1946–1949) and the Stock Exchange building formerly the Eldev-Ochir Cinema (1946–1948). Besides the Sükhbaatar monument in the middle of the square, one can find several other statues at the square: those of Genghis Khan
and two of his generals in front of the Government House, a monument for Jamsrangiin Sambuu
on the north-western corner, and another one for Sanjaasürengiin Zorig
across the intersection on the south-western corner.
made an official visit to Mongolia in 1966. It is still the scene of major state ceremonies, cultural events and exhibitions. The Democratic Revolution of 1990
featured massive demonstrations and hunger strikes at the square. Heads of state of foreign countries generally pay respects in front of the statue of Sukhbaatar. Sukhbaatar Square was also the scene of the violent riots of July 1, 2008 when 5 people were shot dead and many more injured.
Public Square
Public Square is the central plaza in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It takes up four city blocks; Superior Avenue and Ontario Street cross through it. Cleveland's three tallest buildings, Key Tower, 200 Public Square and the Terminal Tower, face the square...
of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
. It is named after and features a statue of Damdin Sükhbaatar, leader of Mongolia's 1921 revolution
Outer Mongolian Revolution of 1921
The Outer Mongolian revolution of 1921 was both a military and political event. With the assistance of the Soviet Red Army, Mongolian revolutionaries expelled Russian White Guards from the country, and created a new state, named the Mongolian People's Republic in 1924. Although nominally...
. The statue is located right in front of the Saaral Ordon (Government Palace).
History
The newspaper "Izvestiya Ulanbator khoto" reported on July 15, 1925 that "in line with Mongolian tradition the fourth anniversary of the People's Revolution was celebrated with rallies at the square dedicated to D.Sukhbaatar". The statue of Sukh Janjin (meaning General Sukhbaatar) lies on the spot where his horse urinated during a rally on July 8, 1921. Sukh Janjin's horse urinating was seen as a good omen and a marker was buried on the spot by a man called "Bonehead" Gavaa. Marshal Choibalsan (who participated as a simple worker during the cementing process of 1946 along with Tsedenbal) had the marker dug out and chose the spot as the place of Sukhbaatar's statue in 1946, after the sculptor Sonomyn Choimbol (1907-1970) asked where his statue should be placed. Before Sukhbaatar, this place was a large empty area surrounded on all sides by temples, residences of the nobility and clergy as well as the Baruun Damnuurchin markets. It had become a place of disposing refuse where large piles of garbage could be seen. The Bogd KhanBogd Khan
The Bogd Khan was enthroned as the Great Khaan of Mongolia on 29 December 1911, when Outer Mongolia declared independence from the Qing Dynasty after the Xinhai Revolution. He was born in the Kham region of eastern Tibet, today's Sichuan province of the People's Republic of China...
would pass through it on his royal procession to the Yellow Palace in the central temple-palace complex of the city. This central temple-palace complex (now completely destroyed), the largest and oldest section of Ulaanbaatar, was called the Zuun Khuree or Eastern Monastery and faced Sukhbaatar Square from the north. It had a large square of its own (the former main square of the city) where Mongolian wrestling
Mongolian wrestling
Mongolian wrestling, known as Bökh , is the folk wrestling style of Mongols in Mongolia, Inner Mongolia and other regions...
and Tsam dances took place in the presence of nobles and clergy.
Buildings
Major buildings on the square include the Government PalaceGovernment Palace (Mongolia)
The Government Palace of Mongolia is located on the north side of Sükhbaatar Square, Ulan Bator. It houses various state organs such as the legislative State Great Khural, offices of president, prime minister and members of State Great Khural...
(built in 1951 on the spot of the Green Domed Theatre), the Golomt Bank
Golomt Bank
Golomt Bank is Mongolia's largest privately owned bank. It conducts banking business such as current and savings account, debit card, online banking, etc. It also issues Visa cards on its name. It was founded in 1995....
, the Central Post Office, the Culture Palace and, until 2005, Sükhbaatar's Mausoleum. The Green Domed Theatre was built in 1926 and burned down unexpectedly in 1949. A well-known story related by witnesses of the event tells of a passer-by who exclaimed "our theatre sure burns nicely" as the cultural monument blazed brightly during the night. He was quickly apprehended and severely punished by the authorities. The City Administration building was formerly a hotel and was built in 1936. Other buildings surrounding the square include the Lenin Club building (1929), Printing Press (1929), State Ballet and Opera House (1946–1949) and the Stock Exchange building formerly the Eldev-Ochir Cinema (1946–1948). Besides the Sükhbaatar monument in the middle of the square, one can find several other statues at the square: those of Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan , born Temujin and occasionally known by his temple name Taizu , was the founder and Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history after his death....
and two of his generals in front of the Government House, a monument for Jamsrangiin Sambuu
Jamsrangiin Sambuu
Jamsrangiin Sambuu was the chairman of the presidium of the Mongolian People's Republic People's Great Khural from 1954 to 1972. He was effectively president of Mongolia....
on the north-western corner, and another one for Sanjaasürengiin Zorig
Sanjaasürengiin Zorig
Zorig Sanjaasuren was a prominent Mongolian politician and leader of the country's 1990 democratic revolution. He was called the "Golden Magpie of Democracy". His murder remains unsolved...
across the intersection on the south-western corner.
Events
Sukhbaatar Square was the scene of annual civil, youth and military parades until 1989. For example, large parades were held when BrezhnevLeonid Brezhnev
Leonid Ilyich Brezhnev – 10 November 1982) was the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union , presiding over the country from 1964 until his death in 1982. His eighteen-year term as General Secretary was second only to that of Joseph Stalin in...
made an official visit to Mongolia in 1966. It is still the scene of major state ceremonies, cultural events and exhibitions. The Democratic Revolution of 1990
1990 Democratic Revolution in Mongolia
The 1990 Peaceful Democratic Revolution in Mongolia was a democratic revolution that started with hunger strikes to overthrow the Mongolian People's Republic and eventually moved towards the democratic present day Mongolia and the writing of the new constitution. It was spearheaded by mostly...
featured massive demonstrations and hunger strikes at the square. Heads of state of foreign countries generally pay respects in front of the statue of Sukhbaatar. Sukhbaatar Square was also the scene of the violent riots of July 1, 2008 when 5 people were shot dead and many more injured.