Opening Ceremony: Inauguration of Sarso Beikman Building in Yangon

Opening ceremony of Sarso Beikman building took place in Yangon on Wednesday, with the attendance of Member of the State Security and Peace Commission Prime Minister U Nyo Saw.

After formal opening of the new building, the Prime Minister and the Ambassador of India unveiled the stone inscription of the facility. They later planted the tree, commemorating the opening of the Sarso Beikman building, followed by unveiling of the stone plaque of the facility.

They then took a tour of the display items featuring literatures, film, music and dramatic arts. In the subsequent ceremony, documentary video clip on construction of the Sarso Beikman building was screened, followed by a video message of the Indian External Affairs Minister.

In his opening speech, the Prime Minister highlighted the flourishing of Myanmar literature since the time of ancient kings, and  its vital role in providing knowledge and skills from generation to generation. He stressed that only through the development of the literary sector, will the hearts and minds of the people of the country develop.

He added that Sarso Beikman Building is opened with the aims of acknowledging the gratitude of the monk and layman writers, scholars so also creating a space where the literature works and arts are compiled and shared. He also expressed thanked to the Government of India for their contribution to the building of this facility.

He urged all to preserve and cherish the legacy of Myanmar culture and traditions; to foster more creation of arts while contributing the nation and people by enshrining Myanmar sentiment and Myanmar scenery, and to keep up efforts for sustainable development of Sarso Beikman building and further facilitating more literary work and arts.

The Indian Ambassador also made speech, commemorating the opening of the new building. The Sarso Beikman building is being constructed on a 2.18-acre site in Mingalataungnyunt Township in Yangon Region, on land owned by the Forest Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation.

The three-story building, designed by the Ministry of Construction, is estimated to cost about 7,918.833 million kyats. As a symbol of Myanmar–India friendship, the Project Agreement was signed on March 18, 2024, between the Ministry of Information and the Embassy of India in Myanmar.

A Joint Project Monitoring Committee was formed to oversee the tender process and project implementation. Myanmar Land Development Co., Ltd. won the tender, and construction began on September 25, 2024, with a two-year completion period. The foundation stone was laid on October 9, 2024, by Head of State Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

The building is being constructed in accordance with approved designs and standards, incorporating artistic elements. It will feature exhibitions highlighting Myanmar’s literary history, national literary award winners, and distinguished writers. Displays will include award-winning books, honorary medals, statues of prominent writers, and multimedia presentations of literary works adapted into films. The facility will also include halls for literary discussions, lectures, book launches, and events, as well as a 196-seat mini theatre for international literary and cultural exchanges.