Nay Pyi Taw December 20
Opening ceremony of the 76th Anniversary Independence Day commemorative Youth and Literature Arts Festival was held at indoor stadium B of Wunna Theikdi Sports Stadium here this morning, addressed by Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Also present were Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, wife of the Senior General, the Joint SAC Secretary and wife, SAC members and wives, union level officials, union ministers and wives, the Nay Pyi Taw Council chair, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the Nay Pyi Taw Command commander,deputy ministers, ministry officials, men of letters, artists, teachers, students and novice monks from monastic education schools.
First, the Senior General formally opened the festival, and artistees from Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture sang the song “Youth and literature arts”.
In his address, the Senior General said it is a grand ceremony that honours the independence, which is the jewel of the country, and remembers and honours the forefathers, the architects of independence. So, it is an auspicious occasion.
The country’s historical facts notify the wicked schemes of the colonialists and teach us a lesson that without national strength or in other words national solidarity, the country can lose its independence in a short time.
Throughout history, all the Myanmar national races were living in unity for many years in weal and woe. Because of greed and aggression of colonial countries, small countries including Myanmar fell under enslavement.
The ancestors sacrificed lots of blood and sweat with full patriotism to regain independence 76 years ago amidst the wicked schemes and divide-and-rule tactics of the colonialists.
The consequences of colonialists’ divide-and-rule policy can still be found among ethnic races. In this regard, all must arouse the awareness of new generation youths to collectively safeguard the nation and to constantly monitor the steps of neocolonialists.
According to the current global situation or the objective condition of the country, non-disintegration of Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty are the most essential and required national vision, goal and duty.
During the post-cold war period, big countries are applying multiple strategic political, economic and cultural approaches to control or exercise influence over weak countries.
Especially, some big countries penetrate developing countries by deploying their followers in order to instigate these countries with fueling problems based on racism and religions and cause instability with various ways and means of instigations. These big countries applying wordings of human rights and democracy portray the small countries as they like with put-ting pressure and intimidation in all means so as to put these countries under their influence.
At that time, these small countries like Myanmar have to deeply take care of situation if they are unable to safeguard themselves, they may cause disintegration and be under their influence.
Moreover, if individuals grasp doubts, selfishness and wrong attitudes without unity among them in turning a blind eye to interests of the State and the people, they will face terrible dangers. As such, everybody needs to serve interests of the State and the people with correct knowledge and awareness.
Today’s festival aims to enable individuals to know history of Independence Day all citizens adore and Independence struggles, to raise national spirit and patriotic spirit among youths, and participate in nation-building endeavours with well-versed knowledge and correct attitudes thanks to literary and fine arts power.
In reviewing global countries, almost all the countries invest social capital and intellectual capital for development of the society with competitiveness so as to nurture new generation youths.
Today’s youth and literary fine arts festival is an investment for youths who are valuable for development of human resource for the country among other essential investments.
The Senior General recounted his reitrated speech, saying that plentiful educated human resource is basic for development of a country. As he firmly believes that well-versed human resources are essential for the country, he urged the government needs to emphasize education promotion of all citizens.
Everybody knows that youth is a human resource reliable for a society. Despite changing political systems and eras, youth generations must have sharpening and outstanding of attitude, experiences, qualification and capability. To do so, everybody needs to give a helping hand to the youths to be able to walk on the development path for the youth with chances for endeavours and enhancement of capacity. As the government firmly believes that the whole youth force is future of the State, it implements youth affairs policies and youth development plans. Moreover, the government is seeking ways and means for youths who reach wrong paths and lose their future to return to the correct ways with compassion like family spirit.
The government amended youth affairs policies in conformity with current era in order to emerge qualified citizens.
Arrangements have been made for youths to join the youth affairs talks, youth talk shows, youth and literary fine arts exhibition, students sports competition, summer sports courses, ASEAN and regional youths’ international forums, competitions and contests in order to new and develop knowledge and attitudes of youths.
In conclusion, the Senior General called for creating opportunities to young people to participate in national development activities and work together and nurturing young people to be good sons and daughters who will love traditional cultural heritage and fulfill their national responsibilities. As young people, he urged, them to try to have constant learning to acquire skills and knowledge and to become those on whom the future of the country can rely.
Next, young sport athletes from the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs gave skills demonstrations, the Myawady band of the Directorate of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare, students from No.11 BEHS in Nay Pyi Taw, the Fine Arts Department under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, artists from the Myanmar Radio and Television, people of various ethnics, singer Yone Lay, personnel from various ministries and students from No.1 BEHS, artistes, Myanmar Comedians Association and students from No.14 BEHS, the Fine Arts Department under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture and other entertainment troupes performed songs and dances.
Then, the Senior General and wife presented bouquets and cash rewards to the students and performers and cordially greeted them.
The Senior General, wife and those in attendance interestingly viewed and studied the commemorative booths.
The 76th Independence Day Youth and Literary Arts Festival is being held under the theme of “Let’s raise knowledge and education for the benefit of the Union”. It will be held from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm every day until December 22. Booths of various ministries, traditional ethnic food stalls and bookstores are displayed, along with entertainment programmes and interviews with celebrities. There will be no admission fee.
