A horde of spectators pushes forward to watchthe finish oftheSoyolonhorse race, centerpiece of the Naadam festival of traditionalMongoliancultureheldeach yearoutside Ulaanbaatar.
Epics are performed during many social and public events, including state affairs, weddings, a child's first haircut, the''naadam'' (a wrestling, archery and horseracing festival) and the worship of sacred sites.