Vice Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win delivers address at Opening Ceremony of 23rd Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competition
NAY PYI TAW September 11
The Opening Ceremony of the 23rd Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competition was held in accordance with the restrictions for prevention and control of COVID-19 at the Myanmar International Convention Centre-2 in Nay Pyi Taw at 9 am today and Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win delivered an address at the ceremony.
Also present at the occasion were members of the SAC, the chairperson of the Constitutional Tribunal, the chairman of the Union Election Commission, union ministers, union level officials, judges of the Supreme Court of the Union, members of the Constitutional Tribunal, members of the UEC, the commander of the Nay Pyi Taw Command, deputy ministers, members of the Union Civil Service Board, members of the leading organizing committee, work committees and subcommittees, state and regional ministers, judges, managers, instructors, assistants, participants from national races and officials.
First, the Vice-Senior General delivered the address, saying “It has been five years since the 22nd Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competition was held in 2016. Thanks to the encouragement of the Prime Minister of the State Administration Council Government and efforts of the cabinet member union ministers from relevant ministries, traditional cultural performing arts competitions, which have been looked forward to by enthusiasts of traditional cultural performing arts for long, can be organized on a grand scale in the same manner as previous competitions at township, district, state and regional and national levels.
Polite mind brings about prosperity, as the saying goes.
It can be said that the 23rd Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions organized based on the polite mind of the traditional culture is a good omen of prosperity for the State and its citizens.
Scholars believe that nature such as water, earth, humans, living things and plants has been in existence for millions of years based on evidence of primate fossils discovered within the boundary of the country.
There has been firm historical evidence of successive periods such as the late Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age in many parts of the country.
There existed evolutionary processes like languages, local dialects, faiths, traditions and customs and civilizations based on the formation of respective tribal groups and geographical conditions, establishments of towns, villages and feudal states and economic, administrative and defence powers.
Moreover, piles of evidence of successive eras have been found such as weapons used by humans for thier living, symbols and marks of faiths, mural paintings and musical instruments.
The civilization of Pyu state cities along the River Ayeyawady, the lifeblood of Myanmar, is the earliest evidence. Scholars regarded the earlier Pyu Period as 200 BC,Beikthano, Maingmaw, Tagaung, Halin, and Sri Ksetra were the ancient Pyu city states of significance.
Pyu people were skilled in irrigation for cultivation and various kinds of handicrafts. They were able to make coils, jewel ornaments, gold foils, glazed earthen pots and earthen pots and build religious buildings and homes systematically. They also believed in and worshipped Buddhism.
According to the excavations, U Khin Ba Kon found 20 pieces of gold parchment inscribed with the Buddha literature in Pyu language in Sri Ksetra.
Various Gathas are also included.
Moreover, five bronze statues of Pyu dancers featuring thier styles of performance were unearthed. There is also another evidence that a Pyu cultural troupe made a goodwill visit to the neighbouring China to perform with 22 musical instruments in AD 802.
In successive periods such as Bagan, Pinya, Inwa, Taungoo, Nyaungyan and Konbaung that followed Pyu Period, Myanmar’s religion, language, culture and fine arts developed and have developed till today. The Republic of the Union of Myanmar is a country where various national races have been living in unity. The country is still blessed with the literatures and fine arts of all national brethren. In the 23rd competitions this year, traditional dances of ethnic Mon will be staged by contestants from the various regions and states.
In 1951 and 1952 after the independence had been regained, State level dancing, painting and sculpturing schools were opened in Yangon and Mandalay.
From 1993 onwards, universities of national culture and fine arts were opened. Before the emergence of those schools and universities, successive doyens maintained and handed down Myanmar’s fine arts.
The traditional cultural performing arts born together with the country’s history have been maintained and safeguarded as a duty given history until the time of the present State Administration Council government.
World countries define national values of a country considering not only its economy, education and defence capabilities but highly valuable cultural history of the country. Our country is full of long cultural histories of various ethnic peoples.
The State Administration Council has been carrying out tasks by laying down the Nine Objectives since it started taking the responsibilities of the State. In laying down the social objectives, the objective of “To respect and promote the customs and traditions of allnational peoples and preserve and safeguard their cultural heritage and national characteristics” was firmly provided.
The Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competition, which will kick off today, includes the contests of Myanmar classical songs, Myanmar and world instrumental performances, Myanmar traditional dances and internationally recognized Myanmar’s marionette as well as the competition of Yamayana drama that is treasured by nations in the region. The Yamayana drama competition will be particularly staged with the art of Myanmar drama.
Despite the traditional cultural performing arts competition it is scheduled to include not only completion of classical songs that were famous in successive eras and modern songs but that of the songs that uplift national prestige and integrity for the youths of today.
The competition suspended for more than five years could be resumed today with support and encouragement of the Head of State in the time of the State Administration Council, efforts of the leading organizing committee, the working committee and sub-committees, support of the experts, and active cooperation of region and state governments. The experts and contestants of new generation blood are to respect our nation, our national and our national cultural pride and value and relay them as long as the world exists.
Then, the Vice-Senior General, Member of SAC Mahn Nyein Maung and Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Ko Ko formally opened the 23rd Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competition.
Afterwards, Minister U Ko Ko briefed on the schedule of competition.
Later, a song composed by Alinkar Kyawswa U Maung Maung Latt in honour of the competition was presented.
After the ceremony, the Vice-Senior General and members of the Organizing Leading Committee cordially greeted the judges for the competition and had a record photo taken.
The 23rd Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competition is held with the four objectives of uplifting national prestige and integrity, respecting and promoting the customs and traditions of all national peoples and preserving and safeguarding their cultural heritage and national characteristics, preserving traditional cultural performing arts in order to further revitalize adoration of the State and hand it down to new generation youths and contribute to the restoration of perpetual peace.