The award ceremony for the 2025 Tazaungdine lighting festival, the hot-air balloon launch competition, and the Matho robe-weaving competition was held yesterday evening at the fountain square in the Maravijaya Buddha Garden in Dekkhinathiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory. The ceremony was attended by Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and State Security and Peace Commission Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
The ceremony was also attended by the Senior General’s wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, Vice-Chairman of the Commission Vice-Senior General Soe Win and his wife Daw Than Than Nwe, Commission Member and Prime Minister U Nyo Saw and his wife, Commission Member and Executive Chief U Aung Lin Dwe and his wife, Commission Secretary and Joint Executive Chief General Ye Win Oo and his wife; other Commission Members and their wives, Union-level dignitaries, Union Ministers and their wives, a delegation led by Mr Andrey Aleksandrovich Travnikov, Governor of the Novosibirsk of the Russian Federation, who is on a goodwill visit to Myanmar, the Chairman of the Nay Pyi Taw Council, senior military officers and their wives from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief; the Commander of the Nay Pyi Taw Command and officials, competitors from Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, regions and states who participated in the hot-air balloon launching and Matho robe-weaving competition, as well as many pilgrims, and monks who came to observe the event.
The Acting President and SSPC Chairman, along with his wife, first arrived at the square in front of the Maravijaya Buddha Image and offered flowers, water, and oil lamps to the pagoda.
They then lit candles together and circumambulated the Maravijaya Buddha Image. The Acting President and SSPC Chairman, along with his wife, rang the Saddadhipati Bell and warmly greeted the pilgrims.
The Acting President and SSPC Chairman, together with his wife and other attendees, proceeded to the fountain square, where the ceremony was to be held, and warmly greeted the delegation led by Mr Andrey Aleksandrovich Travnikov, Governor of Novosibirsk.
The Acting President and SSPC Chairman, together with his wife and other attendees, watched the hot-air balloon (Nyameegyi and Seinnapan) launch competitions.
While the balloons were being prepared and launched, ethnic cultural groups performed traditional dances, choreographed group dances, and songs.
The Acting President and SSPC Chairman, together with his wife, the Governor of Novosibirsk and his delegation, toured the stone plaque chamber pagodas. During the visit, the Acting President and SSPC Chairman explained that the Maravijaya Buddha Image was built in an architectural style that beautifully combines traditional Myanmar customs with modern technology.
They also released a balloon commemorating the Russia-Myanmar friendship. The balloon, decorated with the word NOVOSIBIRSK, was launched gracefully into the sky.
The award ceremony was then held, during which commission members presented trophies, cash prizes, and certificates of honor to the teams that won awards for Best Discipline, Best Team Discipline, Best Visual Presentation, Best Team Robe Creation, Best Innovation, Best Team Dress, Best Balloon Flight, Best Team Coordination, Best Balloon Flight Record, and Best Team Tailoring in the hot-air balloon (Nyameegyi and Seinnapan) launching, and Matho-robe weaving competitions.
The Commission Secretary and Joint Executive Chief presented trophies, honourable mentions, and certificates to the teams with the most beautiful hot-air balloon (Nyameegyi and Seinnapan), as well as to the teams with the best group robe weaving in the Matho-robe weaving competition. The Commission Member and Executive Chief presented trophies to the teams that achieved the best robe quality and best group weaving in the same competition. The Commission Member and Prime Minister presented trophies, cash awards, and certificates to the teams that won third place in the competitions.
Next, the Vice-Chairman of the Commission presented trophies, cash awards, and certificates of honour to the Ministry of Home Affairs team, which won second prize in the hot-air balloon (Nyameegyi and Seinnapan) competition, the Ministry of Legal Affairs team, which won second prize in the Seinnapan balloon launching competition, and the Manawmyay Weaving Team from Kachin State, which won second prize in the Matho-robe weaving competition.
Afterwards, the Acting President and SSPC Chairman presented trophies, cash awards, and certificates of honour. The awards were given to the Nay Pyi Taw Development Committee team, which won first prize in the Nyameegyi hot-air balloon competition, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement team, which won first prize in the Seinnapan hot-air balloon competition, and the Mandalay Region Amara Shwepyi weaving team, which won first prize in the Matho-robe weaving competition.
After the award ceremony, fireworks were set off, and traditional cultural groups from the competing teams, along with guests from Novosibirsk, joined in the celebration, bringing the event to a successful close.
The Acting President and SSPC Chairman, and his wife, also warmly greeted the Governor and his delegation, as well as other guests who attended the lighting ceremony of the Maravijaya Buddha Image.
The Tazaungdine Lighting Festival was held from 2 to 4 November at the Buddha Park of Maravijaya pagoda in Dekkhinathiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory. During the festival, recitation groups chanted prayers in the pagoda’s courtyard, lit 9,000 candles, set off fireworks, released Nyameegyi and Seinnapan, offerings of Matho-robes, decorated the Buddha Garden with LED lights, and showcased local products, food, and consumer goods from small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), as well as traditional Myanmar snacks. Artistes also presented music and drama performances, and the event was reportedly held in a lively atmosphere.
MNA/TH
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar