Nyaung Shwe 28 March

With the aim of boosting Inle tourism industry and preserving of traditional culture, the first floating Thingyan Festival depicting traditional customs will be held at the Innlay Cultural Heritage Trust Complex in Nanpan village, Nyaung Shwe Township.

“The opening ceremony of the floating Thingyan Festival will take place at 3 pm on the first day of the festival (a-kyo-nei). The traditional dance and music will be staged up to the fourth day of the festival (a-tet-nei) to be coupled with the Mister and Miss Innlay 2019 contest. On the first day of Myanmar New Year, a total of 1,000 members of Sangha will be offered meal and New Year Dhamma Preaching Ceremony will be held” said U Myint Thein Tun from Miss Innlay Organization.

There will be 21 floating pandals for water throwing and free local food serving and the floating Thingyan festival aims at attracting foreign travelers and creating job opportunities, he added.

It is estimated that 200,000 local and foreign visitors and 500,000 local residents from Southern Shan State will participate at the floating Thingyan festival which falls from 13 to 17 April. 
Nay Myo Thurein
Translated by Suyee