The Kayin (Karen) State government is planning to hold a multiethnic cultural festival next year.

On September 2, government officials held a coordination meeting at the state Hluttaw office. The Bamar, Mon and PaO ethnic affairs ministers, as well as officials from Karen, PaO, Shan, Geba and Mon literature and culture committees attended.

“The aim is to promote unity and amity between ethnic people residing in the state and to preserve traditional culture and customs in order to protect them from disappearing,” said Daw Khin Saw Linn, head of Kayin State’s Department of Information and Public Relations.

The coordinators hope to hold the festival from February 9-12 at the Thiri Grounds in Hpa-an.

“Our aim is to hold the festival together with our national brethren on Union Day [February 12]. It will attract more people, and if we share our cultures, [the ethnic people] will become closer. We hope it will lead to better prospects that can support peace,” said Aik Kyan Kham, the Kayin State Hluttaw representative from Myawaddy Constituency – 1.

The ethnic cultural festival will include historical items, literature, costumes, photos, paintings, traditional gift shops, traditional food, traditional sports and traditional music and dance performances from the participating ethnic groups.

The festival coordinators plan to meet again on October 7.