5 May

The Ministry of Information held separate coordination meetings on publishing a 100 classic books series, reprinting the Myanmar Encyclopedia, and the National Literary Award and the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award at the Printing and Publishing Department on Theinphyu Road in Yangon yesterday.

The meetings were attended by Union Minister for Information Dr. Pe Myint.

The first meeting dealt with publishing the 100 classic books series. The Union Minister delivered the opening speech at the meeting. Then, the Director General of the Publishing Department spoke about the publishing and sales of volumes 1, 2, and 3. He also detailed how the next three volumes — 4, 5, and 6 — would be published and would be of a good quality.

Afterwards, U Than Own (Maung Zeyar), a member of the 100 classic books publishing steering committee, detailed the proof-reading and editing of Volumes 4, 5, and 6.

Then, the attendees discussed matters related to the future volumes, and the Union Minister made additional suggestions and remarks.

It has been reported that the 100 Myanmar classics series will include a selection of novels, short stories, poetry, plays, essays, and belles-lettres to help the younger generation develop a passion for Myanmar literature and culture. As part of the project, 25 volumes of novels, 4 volumes of short stories, 3 volumes of poetry, 2 volumes of plays, 1 volume of essays, and 3 volumes of belles-lettres will be published.

The sales of Volumes 1, 2, and 3 have been steady since they were advertised and distributed on 3 December, 2018. Encouraged by this, the authorities are planning to publish three more volumes — Tapin Shwe Htee by U Mg Gyee (Volume 4), Nar Khan Taw by U Soe Myint and Collage Kyawn Thar by Zawana (Volume 5), and Doe May May by Mahar Swe and Pan the Ma Saoo by Thakhin Ba Thaung (Volume 6). While Volumes 4 and 5 are set to be published by the end of June, 2019, Volume 6 will come out in 2020. After the meeting on the classics series, another meeting on reprinting the Myanmar Encyclopedia was held.

At the meeting, the Deputy General-Director of the Publishing Department explained about the current state of the encyclopedia and how work was progressing. Secretary 1 of the editorial team, U Myint Soe, put forward changes, related suggestions by external experts, and the completion of changes. The Union Minister made additional suggestions.

The Ministry of Information, Sarpay Beikman of the Printing and Publishing Department, and the Tun foundation are collaborating on the project for republishing the Myanmar Encyclopedia. Participants at the meeting discussed the completion of proof-reading by experts and some errors that need to be corrected in Volume 1 of the Myanmar Encyclopedia.

Afterwards, a work coordination meeting between the chairman, deputy chairman, secretary, and members of the National Literary Award-2018 selection committee and Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award selection team was held.

At the meeting, the Vice President of the National Literary Award selection committee, Dr. Khin Aye, suggested working in unity and abiding by the rules.

Afterwards, the Director-General of the Printing and Publishing Department, U Aung Myo Myint, discussed the process of selection for the 2018 National Literary Award and the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award. Then, the Secretary of the National Literary Award selection committee, U Than Own (Maung Zeyar), and the Vice President of the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award selection team, Daw Kin Phone Yee (Natmouk Anecho), explained the rules and regulations, and spoke about how the teams had been organized according to categories. Thereafter, the Union Minister made suggestions about the proposals of the attending experts. The Ministry of Information, the Printing and Publishing Department, and the Sarpay Beikman have been responsible for the National Literary Award since 1948. The recipients are selected by the National Literary Award selection committee and the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript selection team.

The selection committee for the 2018 edition of the National Literary Award comprises 54 people, under the leadership of president Dr. Thaw Kaung, vice president 1 Dr. Khin Aye (Maung Khin Min -Da Nu Phyu), and vice president 2 U Khin Mg Soe (Maung Paw Tun). The committee has been divided into 15 teams, according to the categories of books.

The categories include novels, short stories, poetry, plays, Myanmar culture and art, children’s literature, youth literature , general knowledge (arts), general knowledge (science and applied science), political literature, belles-lettres, English, essays, and reference books.

Meanwhile, the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award selection team comprises 27 members, under the leadership of the president U Own Myint (Mg Yint Mar-Kyaung Gone) and vice president Daw Khin Phone Yee ( Natmauk Ane Cho). The team has been divided into 13 groups to judge different categories of books. The categories include novels, short stories, poetry, general knowledge (arts), general knowledge (science and applied Science), belles-lettres, Myanmar culture and arts, children’s literature, youth literature, political literature, plays, English scripts, and translation scripts.—MNA (Translated by Alphonsus)