Mon - Wanderlust Festival

OUR MISSION

The Wanderlust Mongolia Touring Theater Festival is about making live theater accessible to every child and youth in Orkhon, Bulgan provinces of Mongolia. By touring to each province’s all sub-provinces (villages), it ensures that each young individual in these rural and remote areas experiences the enriching world of live theater.

OUR GOALS

1. Global Theatre for Every Child
Bringing theatre arts to remote regions where cultural performances are scarce, increasing access to arts education, and supporting children’s social and emotional development through theatre.

2. Sustainable Development
Improving theatre infrastructure for children and youth, laying the foundation for sustainable programs and arts festivals. Strengthening collaboration with relevant ministries, provincial and local authorities to integrate theatre development into future policies. Launching a movement to raise awareness about climate change and environmentally friendly lifestyles through theatre arts.

3. Cultural Exchange
Creating a creative space for local and international artists and professionals to share experiences, foster mutual understanding of cultural differences and similarities, and initiate collaborative projects.

History

The WANDERLUST Festival was established out of an urgent need to expand access to high-quality performing arts for children and youth in Mongolia. Within Mongolia, over 60% of the 1.3 million children reside in rural areas, most of whom grow up with very limited opportunities to experience professional theatrical productions created specifically for them. Nationwide, there is a significant shortage of theaters and professional organizations dedicated to youth audiences; this gap is especially pronounced in rural regions, hindering children’s development, arts education, and cultural participation.

Recognizing this reality, ASSITEJ Mongolia initiated this project to bring accessible theater to children in rural and remote areas, to encourage artists to focus on this vital sector, and to demonstrate the profound impact of performing arts on child development. When ASSITEJ International (International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People) announced the “Regional Collaboration Programme,” we reached out to Indonesia and Nepal to expand this initiative across three Asian nations. Our proposal was selected as a top project, successfully securing its initial phase of funding. The project is set to launch in Mongolia and will continue in Indonesia and Nepal throughout 2026–2027, serving as a pivotal step in fostering cross-border partnerships, creative exchange, and cultural diversity.

Team

ASSITEJ Mongolia Board

Main organizers

ASSITEJ Mongolia

In February 2020, the ASSITEJ Mongolia National Center officially became a member of ASSITEJ International, founded through the collaboration of three core members: the Mongolia State Puppet Theatre, Bamboo Children and Youth Theatre, and the Arts Council of Mongolia.

The ASSITEJ Mongolia National Center serves as a unifying umbrella for all arts and cultural organizations, associations, and individuals involved in the performing arts. Its mission focuses on increasing creative output in the theater sector, initiating new collaborations, empowering artists, and advocating for every child’s right to access arts education. Furthermore, the center successfully implements the annual “Next Generation Mongolia” program, which continues to grow the professional community of children’s theater artists in Mongolia by facilitating knowledge exchange and skill-building.

ORGANIZERBAMBOO THEATRE

Bamboo Children and Youth Theatre is Mongolia’s first private, interactive boutique theater. Operating sustainably since 2017, it specializes in performances for audiences aged 1 to 18. As of 2025, the theatre has reached over 50,000 children and youth with its productions and has successfully participated in numerous national and international performing arts projects. Through the power of theatre, Bamboo aims to contribute to the emotional education and creative thinking of the younger generation.

OrganizerOrkon province, Erdenet

The Wanderlust Festival has been included in the official plan to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Erdenet City, which features 124 construction projects, 19 types of competitions, and 35 cultural and arts events.

The history of Erdenet began on December 11, 1975, when the Presidium of the People’s Great Khural of the MPR issued a resolution to transition Erdenet Khoroo of Bulgan Province into Erdenet City. Today, it has grown to 26 baghs with a population exceeding 100,000, making it a unique soum—the most populous in Mongolia despite its small land area—as it continues to expand and develop.

OrganizerBulgan province

Bulgan Province
Bulgan Province is one of the 21 provinces of Mongolia, located in the north of the country. Its capital is also named Bulgan.
Bulgan Province was established in 1937 after being separated from Selenge Province. In 1994, Orkhon Province was taken out from Bulgan Province area to form an independent province. The province (or aimag) is surrounded by Russia (Buryatia) to the north, the Khövsgöl Province to the northwest, Arkhangai to the southwest, Övörkhangai to the south, Töv to the southeast, and Selenge to the northeast. The small Orkhon Province forms an enclave at the border with Selenge.

PROGRAMS

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Next Generation Residency 2026 in Mongolia

NGP is a 10-day creative residency that will take place between April 11 and April 27, 2026 in Orkhon, Bulgan Province, as part of the Mongolia.

Each day, the festival will visit a new village, bringing live performances to children and communities who may be experiencing theatre for the first time.

While the festival brings performances to local young audiences, NGP 2026 participants will join the tour to research, collaborate, and develop creative ideas that address climate change through children’s theatre.

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SUSTAINABILITY

“Wanderlust is more than a theatrical performance for children; it is a promise to our planet. As sustainable nomads, we strive to minimize our environmental footprint while maximizing our impact on the human heart.”

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News & updates

Mongolia

GET INVOLVED

Support us in investing in the future of children.

Mongolia’s first international touring theatre festival for children and youth, WANDERLUST Mongolia, will take place in Orkhon and Bulgan Province from April 14–25, 2026.
The festival brings performances directly to children both in suburban and rural/remote areas, where access to theatre and cultural experiences is often limited. Your support helps make these opportunities possible for young people across the provinces.
We are currently raising funds through the Fundea platform. If you are able, please follow the link and contribute to this effort to bring theatre to each child in the selected provinces. Every contribution truly makes a difference, and we only have a few days left to reach our goal.