Naadam is a traditional festival in Mongolia. It celebrates the three "manly games"of wrestling, horse racing and archery. In Ulaanbaatar this celebration takes place on July 11-13. This year the President declared the entire week work free. Stores are closed. Everyone has gone to the countryside.

These pictures are part of the opening ceremony. Everything is full of pageantry. The traditionally dressed horsemen are bringing in the Mongolian Flag. It has nine flags made of white horse tails. (In time of war...the tales are black.)