[Setsen]

Hello,

I am Setsen from Mongolia. I just finished my masters in geoscience at École Normale Supérieure (ENS) in Paris and currently studying history of science and knowledge (both in plural forms in French, sciences et savoirs) at École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS). Though born and bred in Mongolia, I found myself living in dorms since I was 12. Therefore, predictably, I have been torn between the inconstancy of abode in my own life and the sheer attachment to the land/nutag/gudamj in Mongolian spheres.

Prior to 2020, I never tried writing nor read much literature; only translated films for Altan Khalis (Dreamers’ Day) for 10 years and also worked as a translator for various academic and NGO projects. In 2017, as I visited Gobi-Altay for a reporting trip, I learned that one of the two protagonists of a mongolian novel, “Tungalag Tamir”, was based on the life of my great great grandfather, which somehow made me more curious to dig into mongolian literature to reconnect. Given the placelessness I was obsessed with for 10 years now, I cannot recommend more Pnin by Nabokov to fellow readers.

Keen on reading and discussing together.

[Author]

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