State Administration Council Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win, in his capacity as the patron of the leading committee on organizing the competition, addressed the prize-giving ceremony of the 23rd Myanmar Traditional Performing Arts Competition held at the Conference Hall of the Myanmar International Convention Centre-II in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
In his address, the Deputy Prime Minister said that the State Administration Council had to make considerable efforts to be able to hold the competition successfully after a five-year hiatus and that it was due to the cooperation of responsible personnel of the leading committee, working committees, sub-committees and regional and state governments, members of the penal of judges and instructors.
He said that he was glad and proud of the contestants from regions and states who won the prizes individually or in groups and that he also appreciated the efforts of the contestants who did not win any prizes.
He continued to say that the purpose of holding the competition was to preserve the traditional cultures of national brethren living in the country and hand them down to future generations. Nowadays, there are fewer and fewer people who can appreciate classical and country songs but it is heartening to note that some artistes post these songs on social media and it is important for all of us to prevent traditions and cultures of national peoples from extinction, he added.
He went on to say that the teachings of the Buddha are still in existence because of the strong belief and constant practice of the people who hand these teachings down to the younger generations. In the same way, we will have to try to preserve the good and valuable customs, traditions, arts and cultures of our daily social life.
Finally, the Vice-Senior General expressed his thanks to all those concerned for the success of the competition, including responsible personnel of the leading committee, working committees, region- and state-level organizing committees, members of the penal of judges and all the enthusiastic youths who took part in the competition. He also expressed his belief that such national-level performing arts competitions will turn out outstanding and promising artistes who will preserve traditional cultural heritage.
Then, the Deputy Prime Minister gave away the prizes of honour to the cultural troupes of various indigenous peoples from regions and states.
The prize-giving ceremony was also attended by members of the State Administration Council, the Union Chief Justice, the Chairman of the Union Election Commission, Union Ministers, Union-level officials, Supreme Court Judges, members of the Constitutional Tribunal, UEC members, deputy ministers and members of the Union Civil Service Board. — MNA
