Yertönts: The Vertical World Part 2 Project 2024 Qilmeg Doudatcz University of Michigan Ann Arbor | USA According to CNN, about 20% of the world’s 7,000 languages are expected to become dormant or extinct by the end of this century, with roughly nine languages disappearing annually. Traditional Mongolian is unique in being the only language still written vertically. However, as smaller languages struggle to keep up with modern trends, they face challenges in preserving their cultural relevance.My thesis explores how to preserve cultures, which are inherently fluid, in a way that transcends merely creating a static repository of collective memories. While digital preservation often focuses on losses during translation, my interest lies in how integrating real-world environments into digital spaces can revitalize cultures.In collaboration with local Mongolians and young musicians from Inner Mongolia, this project seeks to reconstruct a memory-based world within a yurt-like installation, Yertönts, creating an interactive VR experience. The circular form of the installation is inspired by the Mongolian yurt and aligns with the Mongolian term for memory, 'Ergentsüülel', which means cycling back. It also draws on the Buddhist concept of Samsara, reflecting the cyclical nature of existence and aiming to capture the complexities and nuances of memories. Qilmeg Doudatcz Tutor(s) Alina Nazmeeva