Mongolia Sumo Star Becomes UNESCO Artist for Peace

Friday, 28 July 2006, 3:45 pm
Press Release: United Nations

Mongolian Sumo Star Becomes UNESCO Artist for Peace

New York, Jul 27 2006 2:00PM

The professional sumo wrestler known as Hakuho has become the first Mongolian to be designated an Artist for Peace by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in recognition of his work helping young people in East Asia.

UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura awarded the title to Hakuho, otherwise known as Davaajurgal Munkhbat, at a ceremony today in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, as part of the UNESCO Children’s Performing Arts Festival of East Asia.

In a statement to mark the occasion, UNESCO said it awards the title Artist for Peace to “personalities who – thanks to their influence, charisma and fame – help to promote UNESCO’s message.”

Other Artists for Peace include the Brazilian musician Gilberto Gil, Canadian singer Celine Dion, Russian conductor Valery Gergiev and the Japanese ballerina Miyako Yoshida.

ENDS

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