NAY PYI TAW October 23
A ceremony to present certificates of honour and dinner commemorating the Silver Jubilee 25th Anniversary Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competition were held at the Myanmar International Convention Centre- II in Nay Pyi Taw this evening and Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attended the ceremony and dinner.
First, the Senior General and wife and guests were welcomed with traditional cultural music and dances by members of traditional cultural troupes of ethnic national races.
Present at the ceremony were Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, the wife of the Senior General, Vice Chairman of the SAC Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win and wife Daw Than Than Nwe, the secretary and wife and the joint secretary and wife of the SAC, members of the SAC and their wives, union level officials, union ministers and their wives, the chairman of Nay Pyi Taw Council, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, the commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command, deputy ministers, members of the steering committee, work committees and sub-committees for organizing the competition, expert judges, managers, instructors and responsible officials and contestants from regions and states.
The Senior General delivered an address, saying the purpose of the ceremony is to honour veteran artistes and members of judges from the central, regional and states committees by the SAC. With an emphasis on organizing the competitions in their full forms and essence, nationalistic meaningfulness and implementation of their objectives, the competitions are annually organized without breaking with tradition.
On behalf of the State, I would like to solemnly express my gratitude to veteran artistes for their invaluable artistic assistance in the competitions.
Our national culture is required to be strong in every aspect.
Only then, will we be able to adapt to some aspects of foreign cultures, which are compatible with the race, religion and culture of Myanmar, to enrich the aspects of our own national culture.
In times like these, it is essential to constantly nurture and uplift the strength of the arts to maintain and protect national cultural values for the entire population, including the younger generation.
If we study the history of Myanmar’s art, we can see that today’s prominent veteran artists have become the custodians of a precious Myanmar cultural heritage due to the legacies handed down by the great artists who emerged throughout various eras.
Thus, veteran artists are encouraged to continue cultivating and strengthening the artistic treasures that have been inherited from the traditions and good practices of the masters of the past, making them even more valuable. This effort aims to pass on the artistic heritage to the future generations of young artists.
From the current Silver Jubilee competition to future Gold and Diamond Jubilee competitions the Myanmar traditional cultural performing arts competitions should be handed down to future generations to continue serving the interests of the country and its people.
Afterward, the Senior General awarded honorary certificates to Chairperson Daw Thin Thin Myat on behalf of the evaluation committee for singing, Chairman U Aung Tin Win on behalf of the evaluation committee for dancing,
Chairman U Maung Maung Lat on behalf of the evaluation committee for composing and Chairman U Aung Kane on behalf of the evaluation committee for playing instruments, Sithu Daw Htar, who served as a judge from the first time up to the 25th time in the Myanmar traditional cultural performing arts competitions, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture U Hlaing Win Maung, who is the head of the traditional ethnic musical orchestra of the Union, U Tin Ohn, the eldest participant in the enthusiast (first level) category in the singing contest, Maung Hein Lin Marn Thway, the youngest participant in the basic education level (ages 10 to 15) in the dancing contest, U Pho Chit, Chairman of the Myanmar Thabin Association (Central), who supported the grand dramatic competition, and managers and masters of ceremonies from regions and states.
Afterward, Sithu Daw Htar gave a thank-you speech.
The Senior General and wife had a honorary dinner together with the competition participants, and guests.
Before and during the dinner, performances were presented by artists from the Fine Arts Department under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, the Myanmar Radio and Television under the Ministry of Information, and the Myawady Music Band under the supervision of the Directorate of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare, who entertained with songs, musical performances, and dances.
At the conclusion of the dinner, the Senior General presented floral tributes to the performing artists and warmly greeted them.
