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Rotary clubs bring portrait of Genghis Khan to Mongolia

A huge crystal mosaic portrait of Mongolian emperor Genghis Khan (1162-1227) will soon be inaugurated at Ulan Bator's international airport thanks to the collaboration of Rotary Club members from Taipei.

The installation of the nearly three-story-high portrait -- made of 437,000 crystal mosaic tiles and created by German artists based on a portrait of Genghis Khan in the National Palace Museum's collection -- is expected to be complete in April, Rotary International District 3480 director Chan Ming-chu (詹明珠) said.

The portrait will be a place where all Mongolians will be welcome to worship and commemorate the greatness of a founding father, Mongolian Representative in Taiwan Migeddorj Batchimeg said.

Describing the Khan as "the main source of pride" for Mongolians, Batchimeg said he created the foundation for the largest empire in world history -- an empire that included China, the Middle East, Russia and Central Asia at its peak under Genghis' grandson Kublai Khan, who ruled from 1260 to 1294 and founded the Yuan Dynasty in China.

To many historians, Genghis Khan remains a puzzle because few artifacts directly related to him remain to shed light on his story. As a consequence, Mongolians consider the portrait in Taipei's National Palace Museum to be one of the most precious treasures connecting them to their past.

The 59.4cm by 47cm color portrait on silk is thought to be a likeness of the conqueror in his 60s, painted during the era of Kublai Khan. It is generally accepted as the most accurate portrait of him and Mongolian officials and tourists consider it a "must see" when visiting Taiwan, Batchimeg said.

The mosaic reproduction project started after the Taipei-based Rotary International District 3480, which sought to enhance ties between Taiwan and Mongolia, knotted sisterhood ties with the Niislel Rotary Club in Ulan Bator in 2004.

After visiting Taipei and viewing the National Palace Museum portrait several times, the Niislel Rotary club members said it was their "dream" to see the likeness moved to Mongolia, where they said it belonged.

While that dream has yet to be fulfilled, Chan offered to help the club bring the portrait to Mongolia in a different form -- a giant reproduction.

After drawn-out talks with the museum, officials finally agreed to provide a digitalized image of the portrait early last year. The portrait will be the centerpiece of a larger monument to Genghis Khan.
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