14 April

Yangon City Thingyan Central Pandal was formally launched for the Thingyan Festival for 2019 by Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein at the Yangon city hall yesterday.

At the ceremony, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein delivered a New Year message and opened the pandal by cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

After the formal opening, artistes sang songs while dance troupes and ethnic national dance troupes performed dances as revelers flock to the pandal.

Starting from the evening of Thingyan Eve a Thingyan Splash Walk was held in front of Maha Bandoola Park near Yangon city hall where not only locals but foreigners were also seen to be participating in it.

Similarly, Sky Net Thingyan pandal at 19th Street, Latha Township; Shine Myanmar Traditional Thingyan pandal at Bo Aung Kyaw Street, Kyauktada Township; Botahtaung Family Thingyan pandal on Maha Bandoola Street, Botahtaung Township; Mya Kyun Tha and Kandawgyi Thingyan Splash Walks; Yankin Central Thingyan pandal and other Thingyan pandals in other townships were also seen to be teeming with revelers.

Daw Tin Tin Nwe from Shine Myanmar Traditional Thingyan pandal at Bo Aung Kyaw Street, Kyauktada Township said the pandal was jointly organized by Wa Wa Win Beauty and Pwintphu Clothing at the same location for 30 years. Free food will be donated and distributed to revelers she said.

Botahtaung Township Pyithu Hluttaw representative Daw Myint Myint Soe said Botahtaung Family Thingyan pandal was organized by General Administration Department and will include entertainment program of dances, songs and Thingyan Thangyat troupes. Furthermore free food will also be donated for the revelers said the Hluttaw representative who added that there were also many other Thingyan pandals in Botahtaung Township.

Starting from the morning of Thingyan eve, people were distributing free food in townships and wards while small family Thingyan pandals sprang up in streets where revelers were enjoying the festival until early in the evening.

In the evening, Thingyan Thangyat troupes and dance troupes on Thingyan floats were participating in dance and Thangyat competitions as crowds of revelers observed the competitions. — Ye Gaung, Min Thit

Translated by Zaw Min