Plate note: Gerelmaa Haltsgai, a former school classmate, stands at left with Tsagaanshuhert Monhtsetseg at right. They are old school friends, and for many of their generation in Mongolia, such friendships are carefully maintained and often endure for life. Location: Khui Doloon Khudag, Naadam, 12 July 2026. Photograph: T. Monhtsetseg. CPinMongolia.com.

Plate note: Gerelmaa Haltsgai, a former school classmate, stands at left with Tsagaanshuhert Monhtsetseg at right. They are old school friends, and for many of their generation in Mongolia, such friendships are carefully maintained and often endure for life. Location: Khui Doloon Khudag, Naadam, 12 July 2026. Photograph: T. Monhtsetseg. CPinMongolia.com.

Plate note: Gerelmaa Haltsgai, a former school classmate, stands at left with Tsagaanshuhert Monhtsetseg at right. They are old school friends, and for many of their generation in Mongolia, such friendships are carefully maintained and often endure for life. Location: Khui Doloon Khudag, Naadam, 12 July 2026. Photograph: T. Monhtsetseg. CPinMongolia.com.

Plate note: Gerelmaa Haltsgai, a former school classmate, stands at left with Tsagaanshuhert Monhtsetseg at right. They are old school friends, and for many of their generation in Mongolia, such friendships are carefully maintained and often endure for life. Location: Khui Doloon Khudag, Naadam, 12 July 2026. Photograph: T. Monhtsetseg. CPinMongolia.com.