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ARCHIVES	Thursday, 1 November 2007	THE MYANMAR TIMES

Guard against unscrupulous persons who would inculcate hatred, grudge and enmity into the minds of Myanmar peopleProtecting and safeguarding the lineage is in-born duty of each and every citizen

NAY PYI TAW, 1 Nov-The following is a translation of the speech delivered by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo at the Awards Presentation Ceremony of the 15th Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions held at the City Hall here today.First of all, I wish you all the State level dignitaries, ministers, deputy ministers, special guests, diplomats, resident representatives of UN agencies, members of panel of judges and artistes ? blessed with peace of mind. And may you be able to promote national prestige by cherishing and safeguarding national culture and national character.

Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions have been annually held in accord with the objectives of vitalizing the traditional fine arts of Myanmar people with high standards and reviving and promoting national traditions, culture and character embedded in performing arts, and now the 15th competitions have been completed successfully.

Myanmar performing arts have been flourishing till today as a treasure trove of Myanmar cultural heritage as they have been preserved through innovative means throughout the long history lasting years countable by the thousand.

The reason why Myanmar traditional cultural performing arts have existed, preserving the national culture is due to the safeguarding of lineage. In like manner, Myanmar fine arts blessed with the characteristics of national culture reflect the enduring human society of Myanmar.

Safeguarding and uplifting Myanmar fine arts through Myanmar traditional cultural performing arts competitions generates a lot of benefits such as giving extensive knowledge of Myanmar fine arts in essence, ensuring uplift of Myanmar culture and traditions and national character and encouraging the people to cultivate a good habit of safeguarding the sound conditions of Myanmar society.

In the area of Myanmar fine arts, developing new musical instruments as well as being able to create various tunes and melodies in parallel with these musical instruments, compose artistic songs and play every kind of musical instruments in parallel with the music tunes indicate high standards of Myanmar fine arts and unique Myanmar's own national culture.

It is obvious that Myanma harp, saingwaing (drum circle) and xylophone have own national styles in shape, sound and musical formation melody and they are different from any musical instruments of any nation. Unlike international musical instruments, Myanmar harp and saingwaing do not have chromatic scale fully. But they could be played in chromatic skill. They can be played to the tune of songs without being fixed. This is the significant Myanma artistic styles.

Different from any other international string instruments, there is no tuning peg in Myanmar harp. The player himself tunes the strings of the harp and every drum of the saingwaing. Tuning of such instruments and the drums is an art.

The sound of the drum is used as percussion in other countries. Myanmar drums are mainly used in making the melody in the form of a saingwaing. It can be said that it is a particular style found in Myanmar only.

Even before enjoying the performance, experts of international communities often express their surprise and respect about the structure of Myanmar puppets, strings attached to them and decoration of clothes on them. Myanma cultural performing arts which possess own national style are of high standard. They have been rooted in Myanmar society for thousands of years. The performing arts are endowed with Myanmar customs based on noble attributes of Myanmar culture, justice, morally uprightness, loyalty, consideration and loving-kindness. They are also equipped with thoughts on high administration, administration of justice, legislation, diplomacy and grand royal customs.

The people have realized and valued Myanma performing arts full of Myanmar dignity thanks to Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions. Myanma customs, culture, spirit and patriotism have thus been revitalized and aroused among the people.

It is heartening to note that artistic performance of Thabin or theatrical drama and marionette full of Myanmar thoughts equip the people with religious teachings, moral lessons, social codes of conduct and social norms.

Suvannasama drama performed at the contest indicates loving-kindness between offspring and parents. The drama reflects incomparable love that one proffers to even one's enemy and the truth and benefits derived from loving-kindness: these are things that Myanmar people value.

Based on loving-kindness and uprightness, Myanma society constantly stands as a fair society free from hatred, jealousy and hostility but fully equipped with loving-kindness, compassion and humanitarianism.

Likewise, the enjoying of benefits of charity regardless of high status or low status and the enjoying of benefits through the practice of honesty and integrity regardless of the rich or the poor reflected by Maha Doat Drama of the Marionette Contest highlight the fruits of charity and morality as well as generosity and integrity that are deeply rooted in Myanmar society.

The artistic works of Myanma literature, drama, play and marionette are never beyond the teachings of Theravada Buddhism endowe1d with dramatic stories expounded by the Buddha, codes of conduct, traditions and custom of Myanma society. Armed with Buddhist teachings and custom Myanmar stands tall with high dignity as a well-behaved and civilized people.

It is something to be proud of that Myanmar is a nation where understanding, readiness to help, humanitarianism and hospitality plus the observance of ethics and codes of conduct flourish.

Myanmars are morally upright and well behaved. It is incumbent upon the entire people including artistes to guard against unscrupulous persons who would inculcate hatred, grudge and enmity into the minds of Myanmar people.

It is national culture that protects and safeguards the perpetual existence of the nation and its people, the Myanma society based on the four cardinal virtues and Myanmar people who are good-natured and upright. With such fine tradition, the nation and its people stand tall with own dignity up to this day.

Protecting and safeguarding the lineage is the in-born duty of each and every citizen. So also, uplift of the standard of the nation and its people is the duty bestowed by history of each and every citizen.

All must be proud of being able to safeguard the spirit and culture that flourish together with nation-building endeavours with the might of performing arts.

In conclusion, all the participants and officials are urged to strive for perpetual existence of Myanma society born of high standard of culture and the spirit of cherishing traditions and culture and safeguarding the lineage with the might of performing arts; and to try their utmost for further flourishing of characteristics of Myanma traditions and culture blessed with Myanma fine arts, national character as well as national prestige and integrity.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo presents prizes to winners in 15th Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions

NAY PYI TAW, 1 Nov - A ceremony to award prizes to winners in the 15th Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions was held at City Hall, here, this morning, attended by Patron of the Organizing the Performing Arts Competitions Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo.

Also present on the occasion were Members of the SPDC Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and Lt-Gen Maung Bo of the Ministry of Defence, Chairman of the Leading Committee for Organizing the Competitions Commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command Maj-Gen Wai Lwin and wife, ministers and their wives, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, the Auditor-General, the Chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, senior military officers, deputy ministers, the Deputy Auditor-General, members of CSSTB, directors-general of SPDC Office and departments concerned, members of the Leading Committee, chairmen and members of the Work Committee and subcommittees, rectors of University of Agriculture, University of Veterinary Science and University of Forestry, members of social organizations and panel of judges, supervisors, contestants, prize winners and national race cultural groups.

U Hla Win, Daw Thida Swe and Daw Kay Khaing Swe of Myanma Radio and Television acted as MC.

First, Patron of the Organizing the Competitions Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo delivered an address.

The Secretary-1 awarded the first prize to U Kyaw Kyaw Han of Yangon Division, the second prize to Yangon Than Swe of Yangon Division, the third prizes to U Min Han of Mon State and U Han Soe of Taninthayi Division in the amateur level (first class) men's classical song contest; the first prizes to U Saw Win of Yangon Division and U Pyae Phyo Lin of Taninthayi Division, the second prize to U Sai Nyo Min of Shan State and the third prize to U Htein Lin Aung of Yangon Division in the amateur level (second class) men's classical song contest; first, second third prizes to Maung Zeyar Pyae Phyo of Yangon Division, Maung Aung Kyaw Moe of Yangon Division and Maung Zaw Zaw Aung of Rakhine State in the higher education level (men's) classical song contest; first, second third prizes to Maung Thiha Kyaw of Kachin State, Maung Hein Htoo Zaw of Yangon Division and Maung Ye Lin Kyaw of Rakhine State in the basic education level (15-20 age group) boys' classical song contest; the first prize to Maung Hla Myo Zaw of Mandalay Division, the second prize to Maung Htet Aung Lin (a) Zin Maung Maung of Yangon Division, the third prizes to Maung Aung Khaing Min of Yangon Division and Maung Wunna of Mon State in the (10-15 age group) boys' classical song contest; and the first prize to Maung Wunna Tun of Yangon Division, the second prize to Maung Waing Lamin Aung of Yangon Division, the third prize to Maung Naing Naing of Ayeyawady Division and the special prize to Maung Myo Myat Hein of Rakhine State in the basic education level (5-10 age group) boys' classical song contest respectively.

Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than presented prizes to Daw Thuza Aung of Yangon Division who stood first in the amateur level (first class) women's classical song contest, Daw Ohnma of Bago Division, second and Daw Kyu Kyu Khaing of Sagaing Division, third; Daw Than Than Win of Rakhine State who stood first in the amateur level (second class) women's classical song contest, Daw May Thet Shin of Mandalay Division, second and Ma Khin Mya Thet Hnin of Yangon Division, third; first, second and third prizes to Ma Sabei Phyu Thein of Yangon Division, Ma Thawda Chan Myae of Mandalay and Ma Thiri Hsu Wai of Mon State in the higher education level (women's) classical song contest; first, second and third prizes to Ma May Thet Nwe of Shan State, Ma Nanda Lin of Mandalay Division and Ma Nang Thet Hmu Kywe of Yangon Division in the basic education level (15-20 age group) girls' classical song contest; prizes to Ma Kyi Kyi Wah of Kachin State and Ma Van Shwe Hmway of Chin State who stood first in the basic education level (10-15 age group) girls' classical song contest, Ma Pwint Phu Wai of Sagaing Division, second and Ma San Nilar Nyein of Shan State, third respectively; and first prize to Ma Pyae Pyae Phyo of Rakhine State, second prize to Ma Shweyi Yadana of Taninthayi Division and third prize to Ma Twe Ja of Kachin State in the (5-10 age group) girls' classical song contest.

Lt-Gen Maung Bo gave prizes to U Ye Htaik of Ayeyawady Division who stood first, U Han Soe of Taninthayi Division, second, and U Than Myat Soe of Sagaing Division, third in the amateur level (first class) men's old/modern song contest; first, second and third prizes to U Kyaw Kyaw Han of Yangon Division, U Zeyar Phae Phyo of Yangon Division and U Min Khin Maung Zaw of Mon State in the amateur level (second class) men's old/modern song contest; first prize to Maung Tin Soe Hlaing of Rakhine State in the higher education level (men's) old/modern song contest, second prize to Maung Kaung Myat Kyaw of Mandalay Division and third prize to Maung Zaw Htet of Shan State respectively; first prize to Maung Hein Htoo Kyaw of Yangon Division, second prize to Maung Thiha Kyaw of Kachin State and third prizes to Maung Htan Lyan Kat of Sagaing Division and Maung Aye Kyaw of Rakhine State in the basic education level (15-20 age group) boys' old/modern song contest; first, second and third prizes to Maung Htet Aung Lin (a) Zin Maung Maung of Yangon Division, Maung Saw John Sky of Kayin State and Maung Aung Hset Paing of Bago Division in the basic education level (10-15 age group) boys' old/modern song contest; and prizes to Maung Wunna Tun of Yangon Division who stood first in the basic education level (5-10 age group) boys' old/modern song contest, Maung Yazar Kyaw of Mon State, second, and Maung Sai Baida Htoo of Shan State, third and special prize to Maung Myo Myat Hein of Rakhine State.

Commander Maj-Gen Wai Lwin handed first, second and third prizes to Daw Thuza Aung of Yangon Division, Daw Aye Hnin Khaing of Rakhine State and Ma Htay Htay Kyi (a) Swe Swe Aung of Mandalay Division in the amateur level (first class) women's old/modern song contest; Daw Than Than Win of Rakhine State, Daw Mu Mu Swe of Yangon Division and Daw Thin Thin Khaing of Mandalay Division won the first, second and third prizes respectively. In the professional level women's modern and oldies song contest, Ma Sabai Phyu Thein of Yangon Division, Ma Khin Chan Nyein of Yangon Division and Ma Than Than Sint of Rakhine State won the first, second and third prizes respectively. In the basic education level women's (15-20 age group) modern and oldies song contest, Ma Nandar Lin of Mandalay Division and Ma Wutyi Htet of Kayin State shared the first prize, Ma Kyi Kyi Wah of Kachin State and Ma Pan Ei of Mandalay Division won the second and third prizes. Ma Chaw Su of Kayah State and Ma Sein San Nwun of Chin State won the consolation prizes. In the basic education level girls' (10-15 age group) modern and oldies song contest, Nan Thet Hmu Kywe of Yangon Division, Ma Su Yin Tun of Yangon Division, Ma Thae Nu Aye of Kayin State won the first, second and third prizes respectively and Ma Khaing Zar Win of Mon State won the consolation prize. In the basic education level girls' (5-10 age group) modern and oldies song contest, Ma May Thazin of Mon State, Ma Sann Nilar Nyein of Shan State and Ma Shwe Yi Yadana of Taninthayi Division won the first, second and third prizes respectively.

Afterwards, Minister Maj-Gen Khin Aung Myint awarded winners of the amateur level (first class) men's dance contest and Maung Zaw Myo Win (a) Htet Ko Ko of Bago Division, U Than Htut Aung of Yangon Division and U Naing Lin of Yangon Division won the first, second and third prizes respectively. The orchestra troupe of Maung Zaw Myo Win (a) Htet Ko Ko of Bago Division, the orchestra troupe of U Than Htut Aung of Yangon Division and the orchestra group of U Naing Lin of Yangon Division won the first, second and third prizes for orchestra respectively. In the amateur level (second level) men's dance contest, U Nyan Lin Maung of Yangon Division, Maung Min Chan Nyi Chan of Mon State and Maung Myo Myint Aung of Yangon Division won the first, second and third prizes respectively. In the higher education level men's dance contest, Saw Mya Lin Soe (a) Lin Lin of Kayin State, Maung Zayar Aung of Yangon Division and Maung Zayar Lin of Yangon Division won the first, second and third prizes respectively. In the basic edcuation level (15-20 age group) boys' dance contest, Maung Thant Zin Tun (a) Hein Zar of Yangon Division, Maung Noe Noe La Pyai of Yangon Division and Maung Aung San Oo of Mon State won the first, second and third prizes respectively and Maung Noe Hlyan Htan of Chin State won the consolation prize.

In the basic edcuation level (10-15 age group) boys' dancing contest, Maung Saw Thurein Tun (a) Ar Tu of Kayin State, Maung Phyo Thiha Kyaw of Mandalay Division and Maung Pyi Thein Kyaw of Shan State won the first, second and third prizes respectively. In the basic edcuation level (5-10 age group) boys' dancing contest, Saw Thamaw Shu of Kayin State, Saw Aye Chan Min of Kayin State and Myat Min Khant of Yangon Division won the first, second and third prizes respectively and Maung Paing Oo of Mon State won the special prize.

Minister Brig-Gen Ohn Myint awarded winners of the women's dancing contest. In the amateur level (first class) women's dancing contest, Daw Zarni Aung of Mandalay Division, Daw Wah Wah Hlaing of Yagon Division and Daw Su Wadi (a) Zinmar Win of Yangon Division won the first, second and third prizes respectively; the first prize to Ma Kyi Nu Pwint of Yangon Division in the amateur level (second class) women's dancing contest, the second prize to Ma Nan Wah Wah Win of Kayin State, third to Ma Phyu Mar Khine (a) Khine Khine Aung; first prize to Ma Hnin Hsu Hlaing of Yangon Division, second to Ma Moe Moe Kyi and third to Ma Thet Mar Soe of Mandalay Division in higher education level (women) dancing contest; first prize to Ma Su Moe Moe Aung of Mandalay Division, second to Ma Ei Eindray Kyaw of Yangon Division, third to Ma Phyu Phyu Phwe of Mandalay Division and special prizes to Ma Mary Byathlanhmway of Chin State and Ma Nan May Thin Thin Han of Kayin State in the basic education level (15-20 age group) women's dancing contest; first prize to Ma Thuzar Hlaing of Yangon Division, second to Ma Htet Htet San of Mandalay Division , third to Ma May Myat Thwe of Bago Division, special prizes to Ma Wai Phu Theint of Kayah State and Ma Arbikal Zeintapal of Chin State in the basic education level (10-15 age group) women's dancing contest; first prizes to Ma Khun Hset Hlaing of Yangon Division and Ma Shwe Yi Yadana of Taninthayi Division, second to Ma Aye Zin Mar of Mandalay Division, third to Ma Thin Nandar Hlaing (a) Phaung Phaung of Shan State, special prizes to Ma Lun Poe Ei Phyu of Kayin State and Ma La Mon Sut Hsaing Sin of Kachin State in the basic education level (5-10 age group) women's dancing contest.

Next, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo presented first prize to Nan Myint Swe of Mandalay Division, second prizes to U Mya Lwin (a) Mya Bokay Sein of Mon State and U Swun Nyo (a) U Tin Maung Win of Mandalay Division, third to U Sai Myo Aung of Shan State, special prize to U Mya Win of Kayin State in the amateur level (first class) narration of Jataka contest; outstanding prizes to Nan Myint Swe and group of Mandalay Division for music accompaniment and U San Moe of Yangon Division for narration of Jataka script; first prize to U Yan Lin Aung of Mandalay Division, second to U Kyaw Thet Oo of Mandalay Division and third to Maung Zeyar Aung of Yangon Division in the amateur level (second class) men's marionette contest; first prize to Ma Moh Moh Hlaing of Mandalay Division, second to Ma Hnin Nge Nge Aung of Yangon Division, third to Ma Nan Ochitsaya of Kayin State and special prize to Ma Man Zin Nyaung of Chin State in the amateur level (second class) women's marionette contest; first prize to Yangon group, second to Mandalay group and third to Sagaing group, special prizes to Yangon group, Sagaing group and Mandalay group in the amateur level (first class) marionette contest and special prize to Taungsun Aung Aung of Yangon group; first prize to Myo Nanda and group of Mandalay Division, second prizes to Yangon play group and Bago play group, and third to Ayeyawady play group in the amateur level (first class) play contest; first prize to Maung Nyan Win and group of Yangon Division, second to Sagaing group and third to Maung Aung Ko Win and group of Yangon Division in the amateur level (first class) Suvannasama play contest.

Afterwards, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Soe Naing handed first prize to U Tin Naing of Yangon Division, second to Daw Mu Mu Swe of Yangon Division, U Myint Soe of Kayin State and third to U Kyaw Lin of Sagaing Division in the amateur level (first class) composing song contest; first prize to Daw Khin Mi Mi Moe of Yangon Division, second to Daw Khin Win Swe (a) Mya Kyar Phyu of Yangon Division and third to U Khin Maung Zaw of Bago Division; first prize to Ma Pan Ei Kyaw of Sagaing Division, second to Maung Kyaw Swa Win of Ayeyawady Division and third to Maung Pyae Phyo Maung of Mon State.

After that Ministers and Deputy Ministers gave away prizes to winners from the music contests and the prize presentation cere-mony ended.

(The programme of presenting prizes to the winners from music con-tests will be reported on 3 November issues.)

A & I Minister to attend 29th meeting of agriculture and forestry ministers of ASEAN, 7th ASEAN+3 meeting

NAY PYI TAW, 31 Oct - Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Htay Oo left here for Thailand yesterday to participate in the 29th meeting of agriculture and forestry ministers of ASEAN nations and the 7th ministerial level meeting of ASEAN and its three dialogue partners in east Asia to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 1 and 3 November.

The delegation was seen off at Nay Pyi Taw International Airport by Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Soe Naing and officials of the departments under Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation. Deputy Director U Than Htay of the ASEAN Division under the Agricultural Planning Department, member of the delegation, also left here on the same flight.

Members of the delegation Director-General of the Agricultural Planning Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation U Tin Htut Oo, Deputy Director of Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department under the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Dr Than Aye and Deputy Director of the Forest Department under the Ministry of Forestry Dr Myint Oo also left here for Thailand on 28 October to attend the senior officials' meeting.

NAY PYI TAW, 1 Nov - The people of Gwa, Thandwe, Taungup, Kyaukpyu and An of Rakhine State, Pindaya of Shan State (South), Botahtaung and Mayangon townships of Yangon Division who favour stability of the State, prevalence of law and order and community peace and tranquillity regarded recent protests instigated by some monks and NLD members as a threat to peace and stability.

After seeking permissions from local authorities, over 10,000 people of Gwa on 16 October, 13,200 people of Thandwe on 17 October, over 15,000 people of Taungup on 18 October, over 18,000 people of Kyaukpyu on 19 October and over 11,000 people of An on 21 October participated in processions, chanting slogans such as ?We support Our Three Main National Causes and the forthcoming Constitution, holding State Flags and placards.

Similar ceremonies to walk in procession were organized in Pindaya of Shan State (South) on 29 October. Over 44,000 people walked in procession?, chanting slogans such as ?We support Our Three Main National Causes and The seven-step Road Map must be successful? and holding State Flags and placards that read ?We favour peace and stability', ?We oppose unrest', ?Beware skyful liar VOA and destructionist BBC' and ?Those who instigate unrests are public enemy'.

In Yangon Division, Botahtaung and Mayangon townships similar processions took place with the participation of over 100,00 people and over 21,000 people on 31 October. The people walked in procession in their respective townships, chanting slogans and holding placards.