Literary Awards Presentation: Acting President attended and presented literary awards

The award presentation ceremony for the 2024 National Literary Lifetime Achievement Award, National Literary Award, and Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award was held at the International Convention Centre - 1 in Nay Pyi Taw in the morning on November 20.

The Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla attended and presented the literary awards. First, the Acting President and SSPC Chairman, along with his wife and other ceremony attendees, viewed the biographies, photographs, award-winning books, publications, and literary exhibitions related to the 2024 winners of the National Literary Lifetime Achievement Award, National Literary Award, and Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award.

Subsequently, the ceremony commenced. The Acting President and SSPC Chairman, along with the attendees, watched a performance of the stage play "Literature, the Torchlight of Life" by artistes from the Department of Fine Arts under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, and a documentary video clip titled "The Light of Literature Dispels Darkness: The Origin of Myanmar Literature is Gratitude."  Then, the Acting President and SSPC Chairman delivered a speech.

He stated that in Myanmar, the 1st waxing day of Nadaw is designated as Sarsodaw Day or Myanmar Literati Day every year, and literary ceremonies and talks to honour the doyen literati who compose books, which provide increasing knowledge and wisdom, are traditionally held grandly. He mentioned that honouring the literary contributions of great literary scholars and writers who strove for the welfare of the nation and the people through the power of the pen, the Sarsodaw Day or Myanmar Literati Day ceremony has been held as a Myanmar cultural tradition since 1944, spanning over 80 years. He remarked that as the saying goes "Wisdom lies in literature," literature provides humans with knowledge and wisdom, and the growth and prosperity of human society is also based on the knowledge and wisdom provided by literature.

Therefore, literature holds venerable merit, and holding the Literati Day ceremony to honour the great merits of the doyen literati who produce literature is an act of reverence and tribute. He expressed his wishes for the long life, health, physical and mental happiness of the literary scholars receiving awards today, and his hope that they continue to write excellent literature that can bear the good of the nation, race, and religion, and enhance the country's image.

Following this, the Acting President and SSPC Chairman and his wife presented the honorary certificates and cash awards, along with special honorary gifts from the Acting President and SSPC Chairman and his wife, to the literary scholars and veteran writers who received the 2024 National Literary Lifetime Achievement Award: U Than Nyunt (Zin Min-Tha Mein Htaung ), U Ko Ko (Ko-University), Dr. Daw Po (Malay Po ), Daw Tin Yi (Tin Yi Ma-Nyaung-U ), and Dr. Daw Khin Than Oo (Ma Moe Myay ).

Afterwards, Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn presented a commemorative honorary gift for the 2024 National Literary Lifetime Achievement Award, National Literary Award, and Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award ceremony to the Acting President and SSPC Chairman and his wife. Subsequently, Commission member Prime Minister U Nyo Saw, Commission member Executive Chiefe Gen. Aung Lin Dwe, Commission members Gen. Maung Maung Aye, U Than Swe, Lt-Gen Ya Pyae, Chief of General Staff (Army, Navy, Air) Gen Kyaw Swar Lin, and Union Ministers U Tin Aung San and U Maung Maung Ohn presented literary awards to the recipients.

Then, National Literary Lifetime Achievement Award winner veteran writer U Ko Ko (Ko-University) expressed words of thanks. Following this, artistes from MRTV performed a dance to the song "Wa Hta Ka La Tha." Afterwards, the Acting President and SSPC Chairman and his wife, along with other ceremony attendees, took commemorative photos with the 2024 literary award winners.

The Acting President and SSPC Chairman and his wife then warmly greeted and met with the 2024 literary award winners, as well as the artistes and doyen literati. After the ceremony, the Acting President of the State and Chairman of the State Administration Council and his wife, along with committee members, joined the 2024 literary award winners, as well as artistes and literary scholars, for a honorary luncheon together.