Berlin Honors Genghis Khan’s 863rd Birthday With Diplomacy and Culture
A high-profile event took place at Berlin’s James Simon Gallery to mark the 863rd birthday of Genghis Khan. The Embassy of Mongolia and the Museum of Prehistory and Early History co-hosted the evening, drawing guests from diplomacy, business, politics, the arts, culture, and civil society. Traditional Mongolian music, including throat singing, was performed by the ensemble Blue Mongolia.
His Excellency Dr. Mandakhbileg Birvaa opened the event by honouring Genghis Khan’s unification of the Mongol tribes. He also highlighted the ruler’s decree granting religious freedom centuries ago. The ambassador further commemorated two key milestones: the proclamation of the Republic of Mongolia in 1924 and the adoption of its first republican constitution that same year.
During the ceremony, two Germans received Mongolia’s highest civilian honours. Manfred Grund, a former member of the German Bundestag, was awarded the Order of the Polar Star for his decades-long dedication to Mongolian-German relations. The same honour went to Dr. Dr. h.c. Jan Bemmann, recognised for outstanding achievements, while Dr. Susanne Reichert received the Friendship Medal.
Academic discussions also featured prominently. Professor Emeritus Rüdiger Wolfrum analysed the legal foundations of the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan. Meanwhile, Dr. Anton Gass and Prof. Dr. Matthias Wemhoff shared updates on an upcoming exhibition. Scheduled for October 2026, the show will draw mainly from the Genghis Khan Museum’s collections. Both the German and Mongolian presidents are expected to attend its opening.
The evening combined cultural performances with diplomatic recognition. It also set the stage for future collaborations, including the 2026 exhibition. The event underscored the enduring legacy of Genghis Khan and the strong ties between Mongolia and Germany.
