THE awarding ceremony of the “Hlapa Thaya Pyi Myanmar” (Beautiful and Pleasant Myanmar) colour photo contest marking the 78th Anniversary of Inde­pendence Day 2024 was held at the assembly hall of Printing and Publishing Department on Theinbyu Street in Yangon yester­day.

Speaking at the event, Union Minister for Infor­mation U Maung Maung Ohn said a total of 145 pro­fessional photographers and enthusiasts across Myanmar participated in the photo competition with their 480 entries. Among them, prizes will be pre­sented first, second, third places and five special prizes. The competition aims to emerge a new generation of young pho­tographers. He appreci­ated the efforts of panel judges who carefully se­lected and evaluated the best photos among those entries to the competition. He also urged profession­al photographers and new generation of young enthusiasts to continue their creations reflecting the development, pleasant and peace of the country as well as charming tradition­al cultures and customs through their photos.

Then, member of the Panel of Judges pho­tographer U Sai Kham Lin briefed the attendees on the selection process.

Chairmen of Myan­mar Writers Association, Myanmar Press Council, Myanmar Motion Pictures Organization, Myanmar Libraries Foundation and Myanmar Music As­sociation presented spe­cial awards to Htet Thu (Shwekyaunggyi), U Myint Maw Tun, Aung Kyaw Tun (Panthukyi), U Chan Tha (MDY) and Min Min Tun, respectively.

The Union minister then awarded first prize winner U Soe Moe Aung, first runner-up U Kyaw Naing Lin (Layeikpyar) and second runner-up U Myo Min Htaik (The Ea­gle). First prize winner U Soe Moe Aung expressed words of thanks on behalf of the recipients.

The Union Minister and party then viewed the displayed photos at the event.

The Union minister met literary scholars from National Literary Award Selection Committee and the Sarpay Beikman Man­uscript Award Selection Committee and present­ed them with honorari­ums. They discussed the development of Myanmar literature at the meeting hall of the department. — MNA/ KZL