Opening ceremony of third Myanmar Ethnic Cultural Festival 2021 held in Nay Pyi Taw

As a gesture of hailing Diamond Jubilee Union Day, the ceremony to launch the Myanmar Ethnic Cultural Festival took place at Myanma Radio and Television in Tatkon of Nay Pyi Taw through a virtual system yesterday afternoon, with a video message sent by State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Union Minister for Ethnic Affairs U Saw Tun Aung Myint, Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn, Deputy Minister for Ethnic Affairs U Zaw Aye Maung and Chairman of Myanmar Ethnic Entrepreneurs Association U Yaw Set launched the festival.
Next, the video message of the Senior General was presented.
(The full text of the opening address delivered by Chairman of the State Administration Council Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is reported on page-1.)
Union Minister U Saw Tun Aung Myint said the festival aims to address ethnic affairs in accord with the existing laws and develop ethnic affairs. Moreover, the festival will give chance to visitors for knowing cultural customs, show traditional customs and fine arts, uplift community-based tourism, create opportunities for the export of domestic products to the international market, and contribute to peaceful cooperation and the peace process.
He added that today is time for further strengthening the democratic federalism in Rakhine State. Only when ethnic national races build mutual trust, respect, unity and national reconciliation and further strengthen the peace for building the modernity of the country will it be shaped like a modern, developed Union.
Union Minister U Maung Maung Ohn said holding the festival will contribute to the enhancement of national unity, friendly relations and mutual trust. Knowing the culture and customs of ethnic nationals will effectively contribute to the peace process and multiple developments, urging the ethnic nationals to build Union based on democracy and federalism through the genuine Union spirit.
Chairman of Ethnic Entrepreneurs Association U Yaw Set said the first festival was led by Kachin ethnic entrepreneurs in 2019 and the second festival by Kayah entrepreneurs in 2020 at Kyaikkasan grounds. This year’s festival is virtually held through TV channels instead of Kayin ethnic entrepreneurs.
He prayed that many current events in the country end in a short time as the country is overcoming the various economic and living difficulties.
Then, the video on the natural beauty of ethnic nationals including interesting places. The festivals took place in 2019 and 2020 at Kyaikkasan Grounds in Yangon. This year’s festival will not be held in Kyaikkasan Grounds in Yangon. — MNA