THE United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has added Mongolia’s Mongol nomad migration and its associated practices to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, according to a statement from the country’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth on Friday.
The UNESCO’s decision was made during the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, taking place in Asuncion, the capital city of Paraguay, from 2 to 7 December. Mongolian nomadic culture is rooted in the interdependence between pastures, livestock and herders, and herder families moving between pastures to give
the earth time to rejuvenate, as noted by UNESCO.
The migration process is steeped in tradition. The head of the household determines the date for relocation, and the entire family contributes to the preparations, which include cleaning the area and readying the animals, said UNESCO. — Xinhua

Source- The Global New Light of Myanmar

AT the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Asunción, Paraguay, on 2-7 December 2024, Myanmar’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture proposed the nomination file of “Myanmar’s Traditional Ata Thingyan Festival” to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The decision was officially made to include it, marking the first time that Myanmar’s “Traditional Ata Thingyan Festival” has been officially added to the world list of intangible cultural heritage.

On 24 March 2023, a nomination file containing information related to Myanmar’s Traditional Ata Thingyan Festival, communities’ statements about Myanmar, and video recordings of the Thingyan celebrations and traditional practices were submitted to the UNESCO Committee of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The successful completion of the submission process was made possible by the support and cooperation of the government, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, the Myanmar Cultural Heritage Preservation Committee and its chairman and members, NGOs from regions and states, ethnic communities, media and social media users, and the public who value Myanmar’s cultural heritage, as well as relevant experts and organizations.
This achievement was the result of the enthusiastic collaboration of the local communities.
The “Myanmar’s Traditional Ata Thingyan Festival” has been included in the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition highlights the ongoing efforts to preserve and pass down the traditions of “Myanmar’s Traditional Ata Thingyan Festival” from the Bagan period to the present day.
With increased global awareness, it is expected to attract more international tourists, contribute to national development, and offer opportunities for the younger generations to inherit this cultural heritage.
It also aims to raise public awareness to help preserve and celebrate the Thingyan Festival in its traditional form. Furthermore, this recognition may lead to more opportunities and experiences for Myanmar to nominate other intangible cultural heritage elements for inclusion in the global list. — MNA/TTA

Source- The Global New Light of Myanmar

Hindus in Myanmar collectively observed Deepawali Festival at National Theatre on Myomakyaung Street, Dagon Township, Yangon this evening, graced by Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Also present together with the Senior General were his wife, Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, SAC Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo and wife, SAC member General Nyo Saw and wife, union ministers and wives, the Yangon region chief minister, ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions in Myanmar, senior military officers from Office of Commander-in-Chief and wives, the Yangon command commander, officials of organizations, Hindu ethnic groups, Hindu cultural troupes, and honoured guests.
First, the Senior General and wife and party were welcomed by officials. Then, officials formally opened the archway of the Hindu traditional Deepawali Festival, followed by the blowing of Hindu traditional kaboos and releasing of hot balloons.
Afterwards, the Senior General and wife were welcomed by oil incense lamps. The Senior General and the Indian Ambassador to Myanmar formally opened the festival by pushing the button and posed for documentary photos together with the attendees.
The Senior General and wife and party visited the boots of Hindu associations and Hindu ethnic races in sequence.
At the second part of the ceremony, held at the Theatre Hall, the Senior General and wife and the ambassador and wife, and officials lit the Deepawali lamps. The ambassador and wife wore the Senior General and wife Mingala Shawl and Garland.
The Senior General and wife and attendees posed for group documentary photos. Master of ceremonies explained points about the Deepawali and the tradition of lighting the lamps.
The Senior General and wife and attendees enjoyed the solo dance show, Gangesha Dhamma Puja song, and lamp dance staged by the Indian Embassy in Myanmar.
Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General said that Deepawali Festival is a traditional lighting festival of Hindus, and “Deepa” means lighting and “Avali” is defined as possession.
So, the combined meaning shows actions of possession with oil lights.
Oil lighting can remove darkness and the festival means arrivals of good things leaving bad conditions as well as emergence of the anticipation. The literature defines it that “Lighting shall remove darkness”. Such a meaning is the most comprehensive for bringing good things as primary strength and power to all humans. Hence, it can believe that Hindus beautifully illuminate their temples and homes in accord with their traditions on this festival occasion with oil lights so as to gain strength for their lives.
The Deepawali celebration held this year was unlike previous years, as it was joyfully organized on a grand scale with the participation of all Hindu religious groups, social organizations, and followers in Myanmar, along with people from other faiths joining in. It is believed that this demonstrates harmony and unity among the diverse religious communities in Myanmar. The Senior General expressed his very pleasure and joy in seeing all members of the Hindu community coming together to participate, making this a remarkable milestone. All citizens of Myanmar may have differences in ethnicity or religion. However, since they have all grown up together on the same motherland, they must respect each other’s beliefs and religions.
Based on the Union spirit, they have to serve interests of Myanmar through bilaterally friendly relations. Although today’s conflicts in Myanmar were based on political conditions, these are not resolved in political ways yet. Such things depend on external instigation based on political, racism and religious affairs.
Through such instigations, terror acts are being recklessly committed within the country, implying that division among the people only leads to further conflict. Regardless of ethnicity or religion, as everybody needs to share the same land, water, and air in Myanmar, it is essential that people cultivate a love for the country and the Union spirit in order to live together peacefully. Currently, the Senior General said he is striving to implement the planned steps to guide the nation back onto the path of democracy.
Therefore, he urges everyone to work together to resolve ongoing conflicts and to soonest return to the path everybody aspires to. Although there are many differences and diversity within Myanmar, it is only by uniting and organizing these differences that everybody can create strength. To achieve such a unified strength, the Senior General said that he is leading and taking action himself.
He has also facilitated meetings between representatives of Indian and Chinese ethnic communities from Myanmar.
The needs of the organizations were inquired about and fulfilled, and responses were also provided to their feedback. In Myanmar, everybody knows that the government supports religious ceremonies of various religions in Myanmar, as well as commemorative days and events related to different ethnic groups to the fullest extent possible.
Today, at this Deepawali Festival celebration, everybody has also seen a spirit of unity and togetherness among all attendees.
It is necessary to continue building upon this foundation with even greater strength.
Therefore, with the start of this auspicious festival of Deepawali, celebrated by the Hindu community, the Senior General made his sincere wish and message for all citizens to share mutual love, respect, understanding, and forgiveness toward one another, urging all to come together in unity to foster peace and harmony in the nation and the world.
The Senior General and the Indian Ambassador exchanged commemorative gifts.
The Indian Ambassador gave a remark, and the Chairman of the Leading Committee for Organizing the festival spoke words of thanks.
The Senior General, his wife and attendees enjoyed Hindu traditional cultural dances and songs, dances of ethnic groups and Myanmar traditional dances performed by Hindu traditional cultural troupe and the cultural troupes from the National University of Arts and Culture (Yangon).
Afterwards, the Senior General and his wife and the Indian Ambassador and his wife presented flower baskets to those troupes. After the ceremony, the Senior General and his wife, and party cordially greeted attendee Hindu ethnicities and Hindu traditional cultural troupes.
Later, the Senior General, his wife and attendees had the dinner in commemoration of the Deepawali Festival together.

Source- Myawady Webportal

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla enjoyed competition of relevant contending troupes from regions and states in the Chin traditional dancing contest and the Vessantara Drama marionette contest.

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla yesterday afternoon watched participation of contestants at the Central Level of the 25th Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competition at the Myanmar International Convention Centre II (MICC II) in Nay Pyi Taw.

The Senior General, his wife and party viewed performances and dances in Chin styles presented by each troupe from regions and states at the open level of the Chin traditional dancing contest, portraying natural beauties of the Chin State and traditional cultures and customs at Plenary Hall, with a Chin traditional song titled “Welcome to Chin Hills”.

After the competition, the Senior General and his wife warmly conversed with members of the panel of judges and contestants.

Also present at the competition together with the Senior General and his wife were council members and their spouses, Union Ministers, union-level dignitaries and their spouses, the Nay Pyi Taw Council Chairman, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, deputy ministers, members of the panel of judges assessing the competitions, supervisors, contestants from regions and states, ethnic brethren, as well as citizens who cherish cultural performing fine arts.

In the evening, the Senior General and his wife together with audiences enjoyed competitions of troupes in the marionette contest of the 25th Performing Arts Competition at Yinkyayhmu Yadana Hall of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture.

First, Yadanabon marionette troupe representing Mandalay Region showed off their performing arts talents and skills with dances and dialogues to compete in the “Vessantara” drama contest at the amateur (first grade) level with the essence of consequences of Sila and competitiveness in Dhamma and Adhamma exercised by noble persons in serving interests of others under the nature of Paramattha Parami.

The Senior General and his wife cordially greeted members of the panel of judges for the marionette contest and contestants.

The Performing Arts Competition commenced in 1993, and the “Vidhura” dramamarionette contest was designated for marionette event in 1998. As such, the art of marionette which had faded out for some years resurged. As the Performing Arts Competition together with the art of marionette was halt for some reasons, the art of marionette was rejuvenated with the presentation of Vessantara Drama which resumed at the 23rd Performing Arts Competition in order to preserve Myanmar traditional cultural heritage. Moreover, the contest of marionette aims to admire and emulate the deep Dana Parami exercised by King Vessantara, understand varieties of Parami based on Dana Parami and comprehensively accumulate knowledge about the history of Buddhism for enhancement of perception and morality. — MNA/TTA

Source- The Global New Light Of Myanmar

PYO Chit Lin (My Darling), one of the very few earliest Myanmar colour films, was screened at the Asia-Europe Cultural Festival 2024 held at Oldham Theatre in Singapore on 27 September, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The movie Pyo Chit Lin, directed by U Tin Myint, is one of the very few surviving Myanmar classics andthe earliest surviving colour film from the 1950s. The process of restoring the film to its original quality and essence was attentively carried out at the best film laboratory in Italy, and it has been preserved in the Asian Film Archive in Singapore.

The cultural festival has been hosted by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), with the support of the European Union (EU), since 2018 to promote cultural dialogue, innovation, and artistic cooperation between Asia and Europe. The Cultural Festival was attended by Chargé d’Affaires ad interim/Minister U Zaw Zaw Soe of the Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in Singapore, along with embassy officials and representatives from the ASEAN Member States, the United Nations, and the European Union. — ASH/TH

Source- The Global New Light Of Myanmar

LILING of Hunan Province boasts a long history of ceramic production. The city

now has more than 650 ceramic production enterprises and nearly 200,000 related

employees.

In recent years, local ceramic production enterprises have intensified their efforts to improve the making techniques. Some of them have also organized ceramics-making experience activities and low-price shopping areas to attract tourists. In the first half of 2024, Liling has received over 4.3 million tourists, with a year-on-year increase of 51.34 per cent. — Xinhua

Source- The Global New Light Of Myanmar