Inspection in Yangon: Union Minister for Information inspects ancient Cinema

Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn, accompanied by the Attorney General of Yangon Region, Chairman of the Myanmar Press Council, Chairman of the Myanmar Motion Picture Organization and officials from the Myanmar Music Association, inspected the ancient Wazira Cinema on Bogyoke Aung San Road in Yangon on Friday.

During the inspection, the director-general of the Information and Public Relations Department explained upgrading the cinema to Red Carpet Theater.

The Union Minister said the Wazira Cinema is one of the oldest cinemas in Myanmar, adding that it is necessary to carry out systematic maintenance in accordance with the rules to be followed in the maintenance of ancient buildings.

The Wazira Cinema was built in 1920 and is the oldest cinema in Myanmar, originally named Excelsior. In 1942, it was renamed “A-1 Cinema”. It was renamed “Wazira” in 1968 and is about 115 feet long and 140 feet wide.

The Wazira Cinema was decorated with 16th- to 18th-century Beaux-Arts-style architectural fusion of French architecture and figurines.

Plans are underway to make the Wazira Cinema not only a movie theatre but also a venue where plays, puppet shows, dance, music festivals, and international film festivals are held. Upgrade works will be implemented with the purpose of making the cinema an archaeological museum for foreign tourists and a place to show old movies and puppet shows on weekends.