THE Ministry of Ethnic Affairs held a preliminary coordination meeting on holding the 3rd Ethnics Culture Festival 2021 online in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.

Union Minister Nai Thet Lwin, Deputy Minister U Hla Maw Oo, Permanent Secretary Dr L Tu Maing Gaung, Directors-General of relevant departments and Vice-Chairman of Myanmar Ethnics Entrepreneur Association joined the meeting online.

The Union Minister firstly said the 1st festival was held from 25 to 30 January in 2019 while the 2nd one was from 1 to 7 February in 2020. The proposal to hold the 3rd festival in a virtual way from 27 February to 5 March 2021 was submitted to the National-Level Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment of COVID-19.

The committee replied that the Ministry of Information, Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs are to broadcast the 3rd festival via MRTV, MRTV-4, NRC (National Races Channel), Web portal, Webinar (Web programme) and Facebook platform in accordance with the COVID-19 health rules.

The Union Minister then said the objectives of the festival are to assist the national peace process, showcase ethnic solidarity and culture, boost tourism, expand regional products and ethnic textiles to international markets, and create employment to promote the socio-economic status of ethnic people.

The Union Minister recommended the need to avoid mass gatherings in holding the festival, although it is held in accordance with the health rules of the Ministry of Health and Sports.

He also stressed to consider the facts that can affect the interests of ethnic people. He then urged to participate in carrying out the measures for the interests and socio-economic status of ethnic people, the peace process in ethnic regions, tourism development and improvement in regional products.

Deputy Minister U Hla Maw Oo said he hopes the festival will become more alive through the experience of relevant departments although the ethnic people cannot participate in this virtual festival during COVID-19 outbreak. But the festival will reveal unity, good relation and also build trust among the ethnic people.

Vice-Chairman of Myanmar Ethnics Entrepreneur Association U La Phine Khum Sar and other officials briefed the preparation works for Myanmar Ethnic culture Festival 2021.

MNA

(Translated by Khine Thazin Han)

Photo –MNA

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar