Cultural activities: The image of motherland Myanmar

MYANMAR has diverse cultural heritages and properties across various regions, particularly in monuments and ancient sites. Normally, neither the people of Myanmar nor international tourists can fully recognize the significant iden­tities of these cultural heritages. However, some cultural activities and aspects of Myanmar’s heritage become vividly visible during prominent occasions.

Ancient cultural sites and archaeological areas preserve a variety of tangible and intangible cultural properties. Generally, both domestic and international travellers visit Myanmar’s ancient sites, including World Heritage sites, migratory bird habitats, wildlife sanctuaries, and various mon­uments. However, they cannot fully explore or deeply appre­ciate the remarkable cultural heritage these sites hold.

For example, the Tazaung­dine Festival has already been celebrated across Myanmar. It is not just an ordinary festival, and various cultural activities can be observed during this event. These include hot-air balloon contests, Matho golden lotus robe weaving competi­tions, Pantthaku (offering or discarding property) rituals, Mezali (cassia) bud salad serv­ing, religious verse recitations, and more. In fact, each activ­ity carries a deeper meaning. They are rooted in tradition, culture, local sayings, com­munity perceptions, historical events, joyous or sorrowful ex­periences, honourable practic­es, and notable and admirable customs.

All generations of Myan­mar should explore and learn from these tangible and intangible cultural activities. At the same time, they should showcase the finest aspects of Myanmar’s cultural identity to the international community, with a sense of pride in the nation’s brilliant cultural heritage that has endured for thousands of years.

As such, all Myanmar people need to cherish and take care of the cultural activities of the motherland, Myanmar. They should neither underestimate nor criticize these traditional events, but rather seek to understand the rich histories behind current prac­tices. Moreover, it is their responsibility to safeguard and preserve these cultural properties as part of their national duty, ensuring the continuity of Myanmar’s cultural identity. Everyone should make efforts to record and document accessible cultural activities so that they may be preserved as archives for future generations.

All ethnic peoples residing in all parts of Myanmar should preserve the cultural heritages and traditions of their respective nationalities. They must recognize that today’s actions will become valuable cultural evidence for future generations. Proper and re­spectful conduct will bring honour to the State, whereas misconduct and shameful behaviours will tarnish the image of the motherland. That is why all Myanmar people need to choose the right path and uphold the nation’s dignity.