Promoting Literature: Pakokku U OhnPe Literary, Library and Academic Awards

30th Edition of Pakokku U OhnPe Literary, Library and Academic Awards were presented at a ceremony held on Saturday. The ceremony was commenced by screening a video clip on the history of Pakokku U Ohn Pe Literary Award and Paris Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Union Minister U MaungMaungOhn made a speech, saying that development of Myanmar literature depends on the contribution by the literati, along with the support by the government and private founders for literary awards.

The Union Minister requested the literati to participate in the literature development activities being implemented by SarpayBeikman.

During the ceremony, 10 million kyat cash donation was presented for the Pakokku U Ohn Pe Literary Award Fund by the Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and families.

Moreover, 1,500 books each for Social Science Treatise (6) and (7) were provided for the libraries across regions and states as well as the military units and regiments.

Likewise, Yangon Region Government provided 7.5 million kyat cash assistance for the Pakokku U Ohn Pe Literary Award Fund. Established in 1994, Pakokku U Ohn Pe Literary Award has the longest history among the private entities.

Over three decades ago in 1992, U Ohn Pe donated over 7.6 million kyat to the government to establish a literary fund. With this fund, Lifelong Literary award and four literary categories have been presented initially in 1994, and later become five categories in total for long and short novels, poems, treatises and research literatures. This year saw altogether 16 awards including two Lifelong Literary Awards to Sayagyi U Khin Aung (ShweboBamahti Khin Aung) and Sayagyi U Tint Lwin (Tet Lu).