President, First Lady Join Public in Celebrating Maha Thingyan in Nay Pyi Taw

14 April 2026

I n the year 1387 ME, the Traditional Myanmar Maha Thingyan Festival will be celebrated courteously and serenely, in keeping with Myanmar customs, Myanmar style, and Myanmar traditional cultural heritage, to usher in the New Year.

On the first day of the Maha Thingyan festival, President U Min Aung Hlaing and his wife, Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, participated in the Thingyan festival at the Nay Pyi Taw Mayor’s Maha Thingyan Pavilion yesterday.

The President and First Lady, along with the attendees, enjoyed and encouraged performances featuring traditional Myanmar New Year songs and elegant Yain dance Myanmar synchronized group dance performances by artistes from the Department of Fine Arts under the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and Culture, and artistes from MRTV under the Ministry of Information.

The President and First Lady sprinkled New Year Thingyan water on the Union-level dignitaries, attendees, and Yain troupes in pursuance of the traditional Myanmar customs.

The President and First Lady, along with the attendees, then proceeded from the Mayor’s Pavilion to the venue where the Nay Pyi Taw Walking Thingyan opening ceremony would be held, and they were welcomed and greeted by Thingyan Yain dance troupes.

At the opening ceremony, Pyithu Hluttaw Deputy Speaker U Maung Maung Ohn, Union Minister for Information U Htein Lin, and Union Minister for Hotels, Tourism, and Culture U Maung Myint, cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the Nay Pyi Taw Walking Thingyan archway.

The President and First Lady, alongside attendees, watched the Yain dance performances and then toured and encouraged the Satuditha (charity food) pavilions serving traditional Myanmar foods such as tea leaf (Laphet) and Htamane (glutinous rice delicacy).

The President and First Lady, together with the attendees, walked around the Traditional Myanmar Cultural Zone and the water pavilions of various ministries within the Nay Pyi Taw square, joyfully participating in the traditional Myanmar New Year Thingyan with Thingyan enthusiasts.

This year’s Traditional Myanmar Maha Thingyan Water Festival, including the Nay Pyi Taw Walking Thingyan, is being organized to enable the government, members of parliament, departmental staff, and the public to jointly participate and celebrate cheerfully while highlighting the essence of Myanmar’s traditional culture.

At the central pavilion of the Nay Pyi Taw Walking Thingyan, renowned Myanmar artistes and groups from South Korea and Belarus will take part in entertainment performances and programmes.

Moreover, the Nay Pyi Taw Walking Thingyan includes pavilions featuring traditional Myanmar Thanaka, pickled tea (Laphet), and Htamane, allowing Myanmar’s traditional culture and cuisine to be showcased to the world.

Similarly, various ministries set up their own water-splashing pavilions, along with ethnic traditional pavilions and central Walking Thingyan stages. These venues are also providing Satuditha (food donations) to visitors. — MNA/ KTZH