Union Minister for Information Dr Pe Myint poses for a photo with attendees at the ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Sarpay Beikman. Photo: MNA
A ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Sarpay Beikman was held yesterday morning in Printing and Publishing Department Sarpay Beikman building at the corner of 37th Street and Merchant Street, Yangon.
Sarpay Beikman, established on 26 August 1947 as the Burma Translation Society, encourages local writers to print and publish books of all types. The society presents the annual Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Awards and Burma National Literature Awards for excellent new unpublished and published writing in various categories.
Yesterday’s ceremony was attended by Union Minister for Information Dr. Pe Myint, departmental officials, renowned writers, authors who have consistently helped Sarpay Beikman by writing articles, book donors, literature circle personnel and invited guests.
Union Minister Dr. Pe Myint and ceremony attendees viewed the photos, logo and image used on Sarpay Beikman books in 1957, the Myanmar encyclopedia section, the Myanmar encyclopedia yearbook section, the section containing books published by the Burma Translation Society, the Sarpay Beikman magazine section, the Shwe Thwe journal section and the Shwe Thwe journal special issue section displayed as part of the Sarpay Beikman 70th anniversary ceremony.
In his remembrance speech on Sarpay Beikman, the Union Minister said Sarpay Beikman is a place, a building, where exemplary and worthy traditions were set.
However, only a few of these were being implemented and much still needs to be done, the minister said. But plans are underway to continue this through cooperation among people and organisations with the same interest and willingness and all are urged to imitate these examples and traditions for literacy development, he said.
He added that now is a free and transparent time where literacy organisations are working for the development of literature. It can be said that now is the dawn of a new age for Myanmar literature. According to Sarpay Beikman’s original motto of bringing forth light and removing darkness, literacy light is expected to shine brightly through the works of literature personnel, which in turn will brighten the country’s future. The Union Minister said the founders of Sarpay Beikman are remembered and honoured and their works are appreciated and acknowledged. Sarpay Beikman editor (retired) U Khin Maung Soe (Saya Maung Paw Tun) then gave a speech and Sarpay Beikman chief editor (retired) U Maung Hlaing (Saya Maung Swe Nge) read a brief history about Sarpay Beikman.
Union Minister Dr. Pe Myint was then presented with a 70th anniversary Sarpay Beikman commemorative gift by Printing and Publishing Department Director General U Aung Myo Myint.
Afterward, the Union Minister presented certificates of honour to people who have consistently helped Sarpay Beikman and book donors while Director General U Aung Myo Myint presented certificates to authors and writers and delivered a speech of appreciation.
In the afternoon, commemorating the 70th anniversary of Sarpay Beikman Sayagyi Dr. Khin Aye (Maung Khin Min – Danubyu) and Sayagyi Nyunt Han (Nyunt Han – Kyu Taw) gave talks titled “Sarpay Beikman That I Know” and “Literature That Gave Thoughts and Views”, respectively. After the talks, Union Minister Dr. Pe Myint and Director General U Aung Myo Myint gave commemorative presents to the two Sayagyis.