The volume "Mongolia and the Mongols", published by Saturnia, is an in-depth analysis of the written testimonies of sedentary people about the nomadic peoples of Mongolia.
The author, anthropologist and university researcher David Bellatalla, moves away from purely academic perspectives to offer a view that promotes intercultural dialogue in an increasingly complex world.
The work explores how humans interpret cultures different from their own, often revealing prejudices or, conversely, utopian idealizations. Through a comparative reading of travel diaries, accounts from pilgrims, soldiers, and adventurers, the volume highlights the biases and perceptions of settled people towards nomads.
Bellatalla's research focuses on sixteen key themes, selecting texts that express not only judgments but also astonishment, disappointment, appreciation, and aversion. The aim is to showcase the dual face of prejudice, making the work accessible to a wide audience. Bellatalla's experience, which has seen him conducting research in Mongolia since 1994, is also evidenced by his other works on shamanism and his humanitarian expeditions, such as the S.o.S. Taiganà project. His long career and his role as Cultural Ambassador of Mongolia since 2022 confirm his profound knowledge of the subject.
The following morning, Tuesday, September 23, there will be a meeting dedicated to middle school students. The event, titled "In the Lands of Genghis Khan", will use evocative images to explore nomadism and encourage reflection on the substantial differences between the sedentary and nomadic ways of life.
