State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing meets artists from literary, film, theatrical performer and musical industries
Nay Pyi Taw October 31
Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing this afternoon met with artists from literary, film, theatrical performer and musical industries at the parlour of ZeyathiriBeikman on Konmyinttha of Yangon Command Headquartersdiscussed development undertakings of the State through literary, film, theatrical performer and musical industries.
Also present at the meeting were members of the SAC, the joint secretary of the SAC, Union ministers, the region chief minister, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the commander of Yangon Command, the mayor, Chairman of Myanmar Press Council Dr Myo Thant Tin, Patron of Myanmar Motion Picture Organization and the Chairman of the Temporary Leading Committee Academy Director Sithu U Kyi Soe Tun, Vice Chairman of Myanmar Thabin Asiayon U Sein Mya Aung, Patron of Temporary Executive Committee of Myanmar Musician Organization (Central) U Maung Maung Latt and artistes.
In his speech, the Senior General said literary, motion picture, music and theatrical performer organizations maintain a good history. All the artists are inheritors. Those from the fine arts arena politically participated in the independence struggle. They mobilized all the people to restore the peace of the country after the post-independence period.
They also participated in all sectors when the governments ruled the country in successive eras. They not only politically participated in the independence struggle but also carried out the development of the country depending on the policies of the government after the country had regained independence.
All artists motivated the entire people to be active and participate in the moves of respective eras. They persuaded the people into the situation of the State with entertainments in successive eras by preserving the Myanmar traditional culture and national characters.
The histories proved the artists served the interests of the State depending on the demand of respective eras.
The Myanmar Motion Picture holds up the theme “Film is for the people”, the music Asian, “Strength of music to develop the nation”, the Press Council “Development of literature will improve the national” and theatrical performer association “Thabin for the national favour, the heart of the country and the people”. These themes are adopted for the sake of the nation. At present, the role of print media is down but the online media is up. Likewise, the role of the film industry is down in the culture sector while the musical sector is also influenced by western music. Most of the people are weak in reading with lesser knowledge obtained from the literature. So, their responses change. To emerge a modern, developed democratiy country, it is necessary to implementthe good education system.
As the educated persons will have higher knowledge and techniques, artists need to encourage the education sector for the development of the nation. If they love the motherland, they need to encourage education for the improvement of the nation.
The country faced crises in the outbreak of COVID-19 due to a lack of equipment, medicines and human resources. Those well-wishers donated cash and were kind for the prevention of the pandemic and the country receiving assistance from the friendly countries. At present, the infection rate of COVID-19 is down. Emphasis is being placed on the reduction of infection rates in some areas facing high infection rates. Artistes are urged to assist in the resumption of the State machinery hampered by the pandemic. The government is implementing the road map and objectives in accord with the pledge of the Tatmadaw.
After implementing the road map, the paving of the country will be strengthened. As the multi-party democracy path was chosen as a political route by the people, efforts will be made for paving the way for disciplined democracy. The role of artists is important in the State-building and nation-building tasks. Encouragement and undertakings can be much carried out through the literary arena as part of sharing the knowledge obtained from the reading. Likewise, the music sector can repair the mentality of the children through songs.
Music can improve the mindset of the people as well as destroy the country. The Film industry can change the mind of the people.
The Thabin sector plays a key role in the preservation of the culture.
All fine arts organizations are crucial for the State.
The Senior General said some committed wrongdoings out of emotion or under the influence of instigations, but the government forgave them and released the persons who faced legal punishment. The goal of an artist is to improve himself and to benefit the community.
Artists should collectively strive for the benefit of the country.
Their work must serve the interest of the people and should not become negative instigations.
They all must observe their own ethics.
The State machinery came to a halt because of COVID-19.
All artists should harmoniously join forces with the government in resuming the machinery.
The country can overcome the difficulties if there is unity among all the organizations of the country. Efforts are underway for the resurgence of the national economy that has been in a downturn since 2018. As an agro country, it has the potentials to export agro products. The country will reach the mid-level in ASEAN in four or five years if it can improve the infrastructure through education promotion activities and modern agricultural techniques. And within 10 years it can reach the top level. But, the most important requirement to reach this end is unity among all the nation’s organizations. Taking necessary measures in international relations will lead to national development. The government has permitted all industries to resume operations on 1 November.
People should follow the COVID-19 rules and play their respective roles in serving the national interest. In addition, they must preserve the national culture and characteristics.
The Senior General then presented a trust fund of Ks-400 million, 100 bags of rice, 500 visses of cooking oil and 300 visses of a gram for literature, movie, stage drama and music fields through the secretary of Myanmar Writers Association U Nyunt Tin and joint secretary U Myo Tun (Maung Sein Naung (Leway)), vice-chair of Myanmar Motion Picture Association (MMPA) U Aye Kyu Lay and secretary U Zaw Myint Oo, executive committee member U Htay Lwin and an official of Myanmar Thabin Association, and temporary executive committee chair U Lwin Myint and an official of Myanmar Music Association (Central).
On behalf of all the art fields, patron and temporary chair of MMPA Academy Director Sithu U Kyi Soe Tun spoke words of thanks. He said COVID-19 created difficulties for members of all art fields. He promised utmost efforts for national interest through their respective professions.
The Senior General hosted a luncheon for the famous artists and technicians of the respective fields and cordially greeted them.