On December 29, 2021, National Central Library and the National Library of Mongolia co-hosted the opening ceremony for “Treasures from Taiwan: Taiwanese-Mongolian Joint Exhibition Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the National Library of Mongolia.” This exhibition was held at the museum hall of the National Library of Mongolia and will run until January 29, 2022. Items on display include 57 replicas of items from the Mongolian-run Yuan dynasty in National Central Library's holdings. Other items for the exhibition included 20 replica scrolls of rubbings and portraits of emperors and empresses from the Yuan dynasty from the National Palace Museum and Institute of History and Philology at Academia Sinica. It is hoped that the diversity of content will give full display of many different aspects of the great Yuan dynasty.
The opening ceremony began with the enchanting sound of traditional Mongolian singing and the elegant performance of traditional music. National Central Library Director-General Shu-hsien Tseng and National Library of Mongolia Director Ichinkhorloo both hosted the event. Special dignitaries in attendance included Taipei Trade and Economic Representative Office in Ulaanbaatar Representative Chin-ru Lo, Mongolian Bureau of Culture Cultural Heritage Division Head Davaatseren, Ulaanbaatar Trade and Economic Representative Office Representative Zolzaya Lkhagvasuren, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of West Asian and African Affairs Director-General Syin-yi Yang. These distinguished guests were highly supportive of how the exhibition would promote cultural exchange between the two countries. They also thanked National Central Library for allowing some of the historical works on Mongolia in its holding to be brought to Mongolia so that Mongolians can better understand the origins of Mongolia's historical culture through the exhibition.
Director Ichinkhorloo stated that she is very honored to once again invite the National Central Library of Taiwan to collaborate on an exhibition. She is also thankful that NCL Director-General Tseng was generous in lending out some of NCL's collection. From the items on display, the abundance and importance of the rare books that National Central Library's holdings is a sight to behold. These are not only treasures for Taiwan but also Mongolia too. The Mongolian people can better trace the history of their ancestors through an appreciation of these items on display.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NCL Director-General Shu-hsien Tseng and guests from Taiwan were unable to attended in person. However, they were able to participate in the entire opening ceremony via video conferencing and watch the broadcast from Mongolia. Director-General Tseng stated that in an effort to strengthen the collaboration between National Central Library and the world, as well as promote international cultural exchange, the joint exhibition by NCL and the National Library of Mongolia would promote better cultural understanding and appreciation between the people of these two countries. In addition, it is with great pleasure that NCL is able to present the exquisite replicas of the ancient books and scrolls to the National Library of Mongolia. Representative Lo presented the gifts in hopes that the knowledge contained in these books from NCL's rare holdings can be transmitted to overseas and help the Mongolian people once again be able to enjoy the beauty of these ancient works.
This exhibition marks the second collaboration between the two libraries, the first being in 2019. It is hoped that such ardent international cultural exchange can continue, in an effort to realize the dual goals of promoting book education and increasing friendship between the two countries. To ensure that the attendees have a unique experience, National Central Library took special care to ensure that a whole new exhibition was planned that was completely different from the one held in 2019. This includes the origins of Mongolian history, records of decrees and regulations, biographies of historical persons, society and culture, geography and territory, records of travels to the West, literary creations, and the comments on scrolls and rubbings of stone carvings and portraits done by persons of distinction. It is hoped that through the variegated items on display, the focus can be on the life, politics, culture, art, and other aspects of the magnificent Yuan dynasty, thus allowing us later generations the chance to view its true glory.