17 Aug

STATE Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi participated in a dinner gathering with writers at the Mandalay Convention Center in Mandalay, yesterday.

She was accompanied by Union Ministers Dr Pe Myint, U Min Thu, Dr Myo Thein Gyi, Dr Myint Htwe, U Ohn Maung and U Kyaw Tin, and Mandalay Region Chief Minister Dr Zaw Myint Maung.

She greeted the writers warmly before the dinner, conversing on literature and then having a documentary photo taken together.

State Counsellor’s speech

Next, she delivered an opening address where she expressed her joy in having the chance to meet with literary luminaries of Upper Myanmar in Mandalay. She remarked that a lot of poets call Mandalay home and that Upper Myanmar has a distinct style of poetry compared with the rest of the country. She said she ponders on why there were so many more poets in Mandalay than writers who compose articles and short novels or cartoonists.

The State Counsellor said that when she contemplated on what to talk about tonight, she was reminded of a quote that of all the revolutions throughout human history, the literary revolution made the biggest change in people’s lives.

She said literature has altered the world and being able to write was a necessity towards critical thinking. She said poems and stories used to be taught orally in the past but actual writing was required to probe deeper into one’s thoughts.

She said literature brought the greatest mental revolution among people and the greatest contribution to that came from aesthetic literature, while also including texts on philosophy, history and political ideologies. She shared her belief that poetry was capable of creating the greatest attraction in the human mind.

The State Counsellor expressed her view that everything in the world was subject to change and did not stay inert indefinitely. She said striving for excellence was not just a duty but the very pinnacle of survival. She said she believed it was everyone’s duty to work together to lift the country from underdevelopment.

She requested the invited writers to help lift the moral and intellectual capacity of the people as she believed any help given at this time to be genuine and valuable.

Next, Union Minister for Information Dr Pe Myint explained the reason for arranging the dinner reception and the regional Chief Minister gave a short speech.

Following this, writers Nyi Pu Lay and Ma Win Win Myint (Nan Taw Shae) spoke words of thanks on behalf of all the writers.

After this, the State Counsellor enjoyed the dinner reception with the guests and received a documentary photo from Dr Pe Myint afterwards. She then cordially greeted each of the writers at the reception.

List of attendees

Eighty-five prolific writers attended the dinner reception. They included Ko Lay (Innwa Gon Yay), Khin Khin Htoo, Maung Thit Lwin (Ludu), Win Win Myint (Nan Taw Shae), Nyi Pu Lay, Ye Sham, Maung Ba Nauk, Su Hngat, Nay Win Myint, Soe Bar Dine, Soe Naing (Mandalay University), Yin Yin Naung, May Maung, Min Tin Htun, Thint Naw, Sein Myint (Shwe Chi Htoe), Zaw Khine Oo, Mi Swe, Phyu Phyu Win (Myanmar), Daw Ma Ma Naing (Yoke Thay), Aung Maw (Cartoon), Maung Kyi Taw (Kawlin), Maung Ye Khine, Wyne, Maung Thin Wai, Shine Ye Wint, Khin Aung Wint, Maung Soe Thit, Bo Thein, Maung Swe Thit, Myat Min Thu, K Mya Nwe, Cartoon Wai Yan, Khin Thit Hnin, Dr Zaw Tun (English), Kyaw Yin Myint, Ma Ko, Shwe Nyan Zaw, Shwe Naung Yoe, Chit Sayar, Kalint, Htet Nyein Wai, Cheint Thae, Khine Khant Zaw, May Zaw, Moe Sham, Kayan Pyar, Nandar Min Lwin (Sagaing), Ahnit (Nabu Aine), Myo Thura (Sagaing), Myint Khaung Kyi, Maung Myat Shin (Sagaing), Maung Htein Win (Mandalay), San Nyein Oo, Nan Shae Nay Soe Win, U Ohn Ngwe, Maung Hlaing Mhwae, Maung Aung Win (Mann), Myo Win (Maha Nandar), Maung Thin Pan, Htike Maung, Tun Lwin Thwe (a) Suu Phyu Yeik, Min Nadi Kha, Tun Thway Eain, Nay Myo, Maung Ni Oo, Min Kyaw Thet, Myo Khin (Htan Yeik Nyo), Maung Nway Htet, San Yu Kyaw, Win Maung (History), Than Naing Oo, Khin Maung Naing Oo, Maung Naing Lin (Kawlin), Naung (Rupa), U.T.K, Moe Yint Kyal, Kyi Zaw Aye, Min Swe Hnit, Min Htet Nyein Chan, Maung Phu Lone (Patheingyi), Ko Htet (YeU), Okkar Kyaw, Lun Maung Maung and U Hla Thaung R.M.C.G.

This is the third dinner the State Counsellor has attended with writers. The first and second dinners were held in Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon respectively. —MNA (Translated by Zaw Htet Oo)