28 October

THE  third  and  final  day  of  the  Myanmar Literary and Arts Festival was held at the historic Central Press building of Botahtaung Township,  Yangon,  yesterday.  The festival also commemorated  the  75th  birth  anniversary  of renowned female writer and former  Sabel  Phyu  Magazine  editor Moe Moe (Inya).

A  review  competition  on  the  writer’s  novels  was  held  at  the  meeting  hall,  with  writers  Kyu  Kyu  Tin,  Ma  Sandar,  Ma  Hnin  Phwe,  San  San  Nwe  (Tharyawady),  and  Juu  acted  as judges.

Next,  writer  Yar  Thet  Pan  (Toungoo  Dorm)  read  a  paper  on Moe Moe (Inya)’s literature, and in the afternoon, writer Than Myint Aung talked on the inter-play between aesthetic and life while nine-time Moe Moe (Inya) Literary  Award  winter  Maung  Khine Aung (Sittway) talked on his  feelings  from  reading  her  literature.

Writer  Than  Myint  Aung  was  quoted  saying  every  person’s  life  is  intertwined  with  aesthetics  and  the  happiness,  sadness  and  sorrow  gained  in  life are all aesthetics.

Ma  Ei  Ei  Swe  from  Hlaing  Township attended all three days of  the  festival  and  her  impression  was:  “I  have  always  loved  literature  since  I  was  young.  Since  I  live  far  from  the  city  I  don’t  have  a  lot  of  chances  to  attend festivals like these. But I made up my mind to attend this one and I’m absolutely delighted to have seen famous writers with my own eyes.”

Teacher Hnin Wai Nyein explained that the novel competition gave out K500,000 for the 1st prize, K300,000 for 2nd, K200,000 for 3rd, and K70,000 as six consolation prizes. She said all the competitors  were  on  the  same  skill  level  and  will  be  receiving  books by writer Moe Moe along with their prizes. She said there were 337 candidates competing with each other.

Writer Thakin (Zalun Myay) won  third  prize  with  ‘Eain-tan-pyan-nghat’  and  said:  “All  the  festivals organized for Moe Moe (Inya) have always been grand and  I’ve  never  expected  to  receive  an  award  related  to  her.  It’s brought tears to my eyes. I want to encourage young people to write if it’s their passion. The rationality between a person who reads  and  one  who  doesn’t  is  different. That’s why you should read a lot.”

First place for the novel re-view competition went to Khant Kyaw Htin Hlaing (Loikaw) for ‘Thar-kaung-myar’, second place to  Htan  for  ‘Kabar-mee-laung-nay-ti’.

Lastly, writer Juu and Mya Kyar Ngone Group entertained the audience with musical performances.

Mya Sandi (Translated  by  Zaw  Htet  Oo)