Yangon to host 79th Mon National Day & flag-hoisting ceremony on 2 Feb

THE 79th Mon National Day ceremo­ny and flag-hoisting ceremony will be held on 2 February at the National Theatre, located in Dagon Township, Yangon Region, according to Nai Htaw Oo, a member of the Central Executive Committee of the Mon Literature and Culture Association (Yangon Region).

The Mon National Day ceremo­ny and the flag-hoisting ceremony are organized with the objectives of preserving and promoting the tradi­tional cultural heritage of the Mon people, reviving and strengthening the national spirit, and encourag­ing interest in the promotion and development of Mon literature and culture.

“The ceremony will be held on 2 February. The flag-hoisting cere­mony will take place at 8 am, and at 10 am. prizes and certificates of honour will be presented to winners of the Mon literature and tradition­al Mon singing, dancing and music competitions organized by the Mon Literature and Culture Association. We are also encouraging people to attend the 79th Mon National Day ceremony in traditional Mon attire,” said Nai Htaw Oo.

Mon National Day ceremonies are commonly held in areas where large numbers of Mon people re­side, including Mon State, Kayin State, Yangon Region, Bago Region and Tanintharyi Region, and Mon communities living abroad also com­memorate Mon National Day.

Mon National Day is observed in commemoration of the first waning day of Tabodwe in Sasana Era 1116 (AD 573), the date on which the Mon brothers Prince Thamala and Prince Wimala founded the royal capital of Hanthawady, and the day has since been designated and celebrated as Mon National Day. — ASH/MKKS