Kayin New Year: Celebration held in Dawei Township

Marking the 2765 Kayin Era, the 88th Kayin New Year festival was held on Friday at Shwe Weithiri Stadium in Dawei Township. It was organized by the Tanintharyi Region Government in cooperation with the local Kayin ethnic group.

At the event, Catholic priest Fr. Joseph Thein Khin extended greetings. Then, Region Minister for Ethnic Affairs U Saw Martin Luther, read out a message sent by Union Minister for Border Affairs and Ethnic Affairs, Lt-Gen Yar Pyae.

Speaking at the occasion, Chief Minister Thiri Pyanchi U Myat Ko stressed the importance of preserving Kayin language, literature, traditional culture and customs, as well as systematically passing them on to younger generations.

He said the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs is working to address ethnic issues through the Ethnic Rights Protection Law and called for cooperation to promote peace, stability and comprehensive development from the community to the national level, noting that the development of ethnic peoples is essential to national development.

He also underscored the need to accelerate efforts to build a democratic and federal union. This was followed by the entertainment programs featuring traditional Kayin Don dances and musical performance as well as presentation on the history of the Kayin New Year.

During the event, awards were presented to first, second and third prize winners of the painting, poetry and essay commemorative competitions. Chairman of the Kayin Literature and Culture Committee U Saw Aung Htut, then delivered words of thanks. The ceremony concluded after singing of Kayin National song by the ethnic people.