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The traditional Myanmar Thingyan Water Festival this year will
be something special, says U Myo Yi, chair of Myanmar Tourism
Entrepreneurs Association (Mandalay Zone).
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“On display will be Myanmar’s traditional cultural dances, music and food,” he said.
Speaking
on March 28, he added that this year, the water festival will be held,
for the first time, in the southern part of Mandalay City’s palace moat.
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“We
will make it a truly traditional affair with dance performances and
musicians who will capture the heart and spirit of Myanmar culture,” he
said.
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This year’s traditional Thingyan will be jointly organised
with the cooperation of hotel and tourism entrepreneurs, who are members
of Hotels and Tourism Entrepreneurs Association.
Also part of
the organising team will be tourist guides and the restaurant
association (Mandalay Zone) and will contain ethnic traditional pandals,
as well as Sadudita (distribution of free food to anyone).
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U Min
Naing, chair of Hotel Entrepreneurs Association (Mandalay Zone), added
that there will be entertainment provided by pandals located from 67th
Street to 69th Street at the southern part of the moat.
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He added that the free food distribution will be carried out throughout the four days of the festival.
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“Everybody can take part in the water festivities at the pandals. But
alcohol will be strictly banned. We will also provide bowls and water
pipes for foreigners to splash water on those around them. We also put
Thabyay (Eugenia) sprigs in the water bowls.” he said.
The reason
of holding Myanmar traditional culture walking-style Thingyan festival
is to improve and to develop the tourism industry and for the tourists
to enjoy and see the festival, he said.
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U Min Naing said, “We are trying to promote tourism and culture
through the traditional Thingyan festival. We will showcase Myanmar
tradition in a systematic and organised manner for the world to see and
understand.”
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There will also be a singing contest open to all
participants with no age limits. And the winners will walk away with
prize money from K1 million to K3 million, said U Myo Yi.
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“Everybody can compete. The people can get the forms at the Myanmar
Tourism Association at 68th Street between 27th and 26th streets.
Professional singers will not be allowed to take part, though. We
welcome amateurs. And there will be 10 Thingyan songs that the
participants have to sing and compete,” he said.
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Source - Myanmar Times
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