Yangon: The National Theater in Yangon came alive on Sunday afternoon as the grand finals and award ceremony of Myanmar's Chinese song competition filled the hall with melody, emotion, and cultural harmony.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the contest was jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar and the Center for Language Education and Cooperation. The event attracted more than 1,000 participants from government organizations, business associations, civil societies, educational institutions, and media organizations from both countries. The aim was to provide a platform for Chinese song enthusiasts in Myanmar, foster cultural exchanges among Chinese language learners, enrich cultural life, inspire appreciation for both Chinese and Myanmar traditions, and strengthen bilateral friendship.
Adding a vibrant visual element to the musical celebration, the event also featured an art exhibition displaying traditional opera paintings from both countries. Renowned film director and artist Pan Gyi Soe Moe, who attended the event and presented awards to the winners, emphasized the focus on friendship and collaboration between the two nations.
Cho Cho Myint, principal of Bowen Chinese School, highlighted the contest's expanding reach. She noted that while last year's competition featured only students from Yangon, this year saw participation from talented young singers from regions like Mandalay and Bago. "Music knows no borders," she said, underlining how the contest helps Myanmar students connect with Chinese culture through song.
Among the young performers was Su Yi Tun, 14, a student at the Cheng-Yu Language and Business Center, who, along with three friends, won second runner-up in the adolescent category. Su Yi Tun expressed gratitude for the opportunity and shared her long-standing passion for learning Chinese.
Her mother, Ohmar Myint, expressed pride in her daughter's achievement and hoped for more such events to preserve and celebrate their cultures. Similarly, Kyaw Kyaw Tun, 24, from the Fuqing International Training Center in Mandalay, shared his excitement after securing the second runner-up position in the adult individual category, acknowledging how such events promote cultural learning.
Many in the audience viewed the event as a celebration of connection and shared humanity. Nay Lin Oo, a student from the Golden Education Sharing Center, appreciated the opportunities opened by learning Chinese and expressed his love for singing. Ma Sandar, an audience member, admired the young Myanmar performers' talent in singing Chinese songs, noting how the event brings hidden talents to light.