Intangible Cultural Heritage List: Myanmar traditional New Year Atā Thingyan Festival

“Myanmar traditional New Year Atā Thingyan Festival” has been successfully inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the 19th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage being held in Asuncion, Paraguay, from 2nd December to 7th December.

While expressing the message of thanks, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Myanmar to UNESCO U Kyaw Zeya highlighted that the successful inscription of Myanmar New Year Atā Thingyan Festival in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List was a result of the steadfast efforts and collaboration of all stakeholders and communities in Myanmar. He also stressed that it is imperative for the State Party of Myanmar to continue its efforts in safeguarding of Atã Thingyan which is a treasured heritage of humanity to endure another thousand years as it has been passed down from generation to generation.

Moreover, he thanked all distinguished Members of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee, the Secretary of the 2003 Convention and the Secretariat and the Advisory Bodies for their invaluable support for the successful inscription of Myanmar traditional New Year Atā Thingyan Festival in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List. 

Likewise, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture issued a press statement, expressing appreciation to those involved in the efforts for inscription of Myanmar Thingyan on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

The Ministry recognized the efforts of Myanmar Cultural Heritage Trust Fund led by Daw Sander Khin, Ethnic Literature and Culture Associations from Regions and States, Bagan Heritage Trust, Board of Trustees of Shwedagon, Botahtaung, and Ananda Pagodas, the Interfaith Dialogue Group (Central), Myanmar Music Association, Myanmar Thabin Association, Myanmar Artist Association, Myanmar Sculpture Association, Visakha Foundation, TMW Enterprise Limited, Myanmar Women Entrepreneur Network (Yangon), Myanmar Calendar Advisory Board, Myanmar Vedas Scholastic Association, Hnin Si Kone Home for the Aged Caring Association (Bahan Township), Myanmar Restaurant Entrepreneurs Association, Myint Myat Thu Blood Donors Association, Byamasoe Social Organization and other supporters, the Ministry of Industry, Living Myanmar Media Group, the French Language Department of Yangon University of Foreign Languages, Ministry of Education, Myanmar Ambassador to France and embassy staff, officers and staff from the Department of Archaeology and National Museum under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture and all Myanmar citizens who safeguarded and handed down the legacy of Myanmar Traditional Ata Thingyan from ancient Bagan Era to date.