70th Mon National Day to be celebrated on Feb 5 in Nay Pyi Taw

The 70th Anniversary of Mon National Day will be celebrated in Burma’s Nay Pyi Taw Capital on February 5 instead of February 12, due to Union Day also falling on February 12, according to the organizing committee for the 70th Mon National Day (Nay Pyi Taw).

Mon National Day event is held annually one day after full-moon day of lunar month of Thabodwe, and this year falls on February 12.

“lt will be mostly union level ministers who will join the Mon National Day celebration in Nay Pyi Taw. So, that is why we have adjusted it and chose the day of the celebration to suit their availabilities. We have also invited Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the President. We hope they will be able to join the event because they have joined the Mon National Day celebration in Yangon before. Additionally, many ministers will also present,” said Min Banyar San,the chairman of the organizing committee for the 70th Mon National Day (Nay Pyi Taw)

Although Mon National Day has been celebrated since the start of Hluttaw [parliament] in 2010, Union-level Mon Hluttaw representatives led and celebrated the event on the 1st waning day of Thabodwe, but it was just held as a small event. However, this year, the organizing committee for the 70th Anniversary of Mon National Day was formed and will organize the event which will be accompanied by Mon traditional performances.

Min Banyar San also said, ”This is to show other ethnic people our Mon tradition and culture. Moreover, because government officials will join, it will be good to hold a big celebration.”

The celebration of Mon National Day will be held at the Myanmar International Convention Center -2 from 6 PM to 9 PM on February 5. The organizing committee has invited about 600 important people and government officials, including the President, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Union ministers.

“Previously, Mon National Day was to be celebrated in advance in Kyaikhto. It’s so the locals are able to participate in the central Mon National Day celebration. However this year, it coincides with Union Day and it [celebration in Nay Pyi Taw] has been moved to February 5. We shouldn’t only participate in such an event but also help prepare for the celebration,” said Nai Mon Yarzar, member of organizing committee for 70th Mon National Day (Central).

The 70th Anniversary of Mon National Day central celebration will be held in Kyaikmaraw Town, Mon State, and celebrations will also take place not only in Mon State but in Yangon and Mandalay regions, Karen State as well as other parts of the world, including U.S. and Australia, where Mon people have resettled.