The Second Mongolian Translation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

The second official Mongolian translation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published by Monsudar Publishing on 25 November 2017, eight years after the first edition by Nepko Publishing. Unlike its predecessor, this edition was produced to a much higher standard of design and durability, reflecting Monsudar’s position as one of Mongolia’s leading publishing houses.

This new translation featured a completely retranslated text—not a revision of the 2009 Nepko version—and was undertaken with the goal of providing a more faithful and literary rendering of J.K. Rowling’s original work. The translation was published in both hardback and paperback formats, with significantly larger print runs (unconfirmed) than the original 2009 edition, making it more widely available across Mongolia and in online markets.

Rather than commissioned Mongolian artwork, Monsudar opted to use the globally recognized Jonny Duddle artwork—originally created for Bloomsbury’s 2014 UK children's editions. Duddle, a Welsh illustrator, played a key role in reimagining Harry for a modern young audience, and his designs were adapted for this Mongolian edition. While the 2017 edition does not have the extreme rarity of the 2009 Nepko version, it holds importance as a fully independent and improved translation that reflects the growing interest in quality Mongolian-language literature.

As of 2024, first printing copies in fine condition are still relatively easy to find, though hardback copies are preferred by collectors. This edition marked the beginning of a new era for Harry Potter in Mongolia, and Monsudar went on to publish Mongolian translations of the entire series in the following years.

For translation collectors, the Monsudar edition represents an essential counterpart to the scarce and fragile 2009 Nepko edition—a more accessible, polished, and enduring version of the first book in Mongolian.