Every country is striving to protect and advance its own national interests amid today’s global political landscape, said President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Min Aung Hlaing at the awarding of the 27th Traditional Myanmar Cultural Performing Arts Competition at the Myanmar International Convention Centre I (MICC I) in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
At the ceremony, the President delivered a speech, saying that it was necessary to foster and strengthen patriotism, national spirit, and love, respect and appreciation for the nation’s traditional culture among younger generations in order to advance the national interests of the country.
He also stated that if cultural values could be promoted through the power of art, the desire to protect and safeguard the interests of the country and its people would grow stronger.
The President outlined that, in order to advance the national interests of the country, it was necessary to foster and strengthen patriotism, national spirit, and love, respect and appreciation for the nation’s traditional culture among younger generations.
The President urged all contestants to respect one another’s ethnic traditions and cultures, work to further strengthen the unity and solidarity of the Union, and make effective use of modern technologies while joining hands to ensure the long-term preservation and development of Myanmar’s traditional arts.
He recounted that although some categories could not be held at the 26th competition last year due to the major Mandalay earthquake, a total of 1,739 artistes participated and 313 awards were presented. This year, amateur-level competitions, as well as group competitions in traditional Zat Pwe (theatrical performance) and Yokethé (marionette) performances, were reinstated, and the number of participating artists increased to 2,346.
The President highlighted that the major competitions could be described as events that bring together national brethren through culture and friendship.
He emphasized that valuable artistic works in Myanmar classical songs and music, traditional musical instruments, traditional Myanmar dance, theatrical performances, and marionette theatre should be systematically documented and preserved using modern digital technology so that younger generations can study and learn from them.
The President presented honorary medals and certificates of honour to traditional ethnic dance troupes from regions and states.
Vice-President U Nyo Saw also gave special prize, and first, second and third prizes to the winning troupes in the Kachin ethnic traditional dance contest while Vice-President Nan Ni Ni Aye, who serves a patron of the Leading Committee handed awards to prize winning troupes in the free verse poem dance contest.
Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U Khin Yi, Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker U Aung Lin Dwe and Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services General Ye Win Oo presented medals and certificates of honour to winning teams in the amateur level (first class) men’s and women’s classic song contest, the amateur level (second class) men’s and women’s classic song contest and the amateur level (first class) men’s and women’s old/modern song contests, respectively.
Union-level dignitaries, Union ministers, members of the Leading Committee and Organizing Committee, and senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief gave medals and certificates of honour to the winners in the relevant contests.
First-prize-winning troupes from regions and states performed their excellent singing and dancing skills and talents.
After the ceremony, the President cordially greeted the attendees.
At the 27th competition, Yangon Region swept 151 prizes, Mandalay Region 107, Sagaing Region 49, Magway Region 30, Bago Region 40, Mon State 34, Taninthayi Region 23, Ayeyawady Region 29, Kayin State 20, Kayah State 14, Chin State 11, Kachin State nine, Shan State six and Rakhine State eight.
MNA/TTA
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