A few minutes before the beginning of the ecumenical meeting, Pope Francis and other religious leaders enjoyed a traditional Mongolian musical performance.
The instrument played by the Mongolian artist has a long history, and was recognized in 2008 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
It has several names. Officially known as Morin juur, it is also called 'two-stringed violin' or 'horse charmer.' The latter is derived from the close relationship that the nomadic people of Mongolia have had with horses—a very important animal in their culture.
It is made up of a box with an outline of a square shape, two strings of horse tail hair and the end of the neck is adorned with the sculpted head of the same animal.
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TR: KG