The central-level ceremony of the 72nd Mon National Day will be held at the Shwemawdaw Pagoda ground in the former Hanthawaddy Kingdom’s capital Bago on the first waning day of Tabodwe, which falls on February 20.
“It’s the turn of Hanthawaddy Kingdom’s capital Bago to host the Mon National Day ceremony. We have highlighted a picture of the Shwemawdaw Pagoda, a picture of the Hanthawaddy Palace, and pictures of Mon King Thamala Wimala in the billboard,” said Nai Mon Yarzar, vice-chair of the coordination committee.
The draft version of the billboard for the Mon National Day central-level ceremony will be approved during the 4th Mon National Day Coordination Committee’s meeting on November 11, he continued.
“There will be more unique programs than the previous years because we will be holding it in Bago, which is the capital of our Mon kingdom, so we are trying to make it grander than previous years,” said Min Nyan Tun, general secretary of the coordination committee.
The Mon traditional boxing competition, Mon traditional music and dance performances, a staged traditional wedding ceremony, and historical photo exhibition will be exhibited during the Mon National Day festival.
According to the coordination committee, the Mon National Day ceremony is held to safeguard Mon literature, language, religion, culture, and tradition and customs, unite the entire national people and all ethnic people to make Mon patriotism last longer, and strive for the establishment of the federal union where the Mon people will obtain the right to self-determination.
The Mon National Day (central) ceremonies have been held annually in each township in rotation since its 50th anniversary and last year’s ceremony was held in Zartapyin Village of Hpa-an Township, Karen State.
