Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – To celebrate the Maha Thingyan Festival, the Burmese New Year, and the transition from 1387 to 1388 in the Burmese calendar, the opening ceremony of the Naypyidaw Mayor's Maha Thingyan Pavilion was solemnly held yesterday morning in front of the Naypyidaw Development Committee City Hall. Representatives from the political, military, cultural, and social sectors gathered to witness the start of the New Year celebrations.
The guest lineup for the ceremony was impressive, including Union ministers, the Chairman of the Naypyidaw City Council, senior officers from the General Staff of the Defence Force, deputy ministers, and other government and military officials; representatives from various ministries and related organizations; as well as Thingyan dance troupes, renowned artists, singers, invited guests, and members of the public from various districts and towns of Naypyidaw. The ceremony was solemn yet festive: First, Tekkatho Arman, representative of the Ministry of Fine Arts, read the New Year's greetings from the 1387 Naypyidaw Mayor Maha Thingyan Yatu. Then, Naypyidaw Mayor U Kan Myint Than delivered a New Year's address, offering his best wishes to the city's residents, reviewing the past year's achievements, and looking forward to a bright future. Following the address, the Federal Minister and Mayor U Kan Myint Than jointly cut the ribbon for the Naypyidaw Mayor Maha Thingyan Yatu Pavilion, officially commencing the festival celebrations. After the ribbon-cutting, accompanied by lively traditional music, a Songkran dance troupe presented a vibrant performance. The Federal Minister and his entourage then scattered lilac branches, symbolizing blessings and good fortune, to the guests, conveying best wishes for the New Year. As a core highlight of the celebrations, the cultural performances at the Naypyidaw Mayor's Pavilion in Naypyidaw were highly diverse: renowned Myanmar artists, Belarusian performers, representatives from various ministries and organizations, and a modern band from Myanmar National Television joined forces to present a variety of wonderful programs, including song, dance, and music. The performances blended traditional and modern, local and international artistic expressions, offering the audience a visual and auditory feast.
It is reported that this festive cultural performance will continue until the closing day of the Water Festival—Aht Day—with daily performances starting from Akyo Day, allowing citizens and tourists to deeply experience the cultural connotations of the Maha Phraya Festival—praying for blessings, good fortune, and harmonious neighborly relations—and jointly celebrate the New Year of Myanmar, 1388. (End)
