THE 20th Kalaw Maha Tazaungdine Traditional Lighting Festival and Torch Lighting Ceremony opened yesterday, attended by Shan State Chief Minister U Aung Aung and his wife, state ministers, the Kalaw station commander, state legal officers, departmental officials, local ethnic residents, and festival spectators.
At Mawmyay Oo Park, the traditional torch ceremony was inaugurated by cutting the ceremonial rope. The chief minister then officially opened the festival by releasing 200 small lanterns and lighting ceremonial torches and lamps. Competing lighting tower teams and traditional dance troupes performed, followed by song and entertainment by local singers and renowned artistes.
The competition involves 21 lighting posts from 11 wards and villages in Kalaw, running from 5 to 8 November, with four posts displayed each night.
Earlier in the morning, 22 staff from the Department of General Administration commemorated the department’s 37th anniversary at Taunggyi Women’s and Children’s Special Hospital, with the Chief Minister, ministers, legal officers, and officials observing and providing refreshments. — Maung Maung Than (TGI)/KZL
