Shwe Hin Thar, Mon Traditional Dance, will compete in this year's 23rd Myanmar Traditional Singing, Dance, Composing, and Performing race ethnic dance category.

To teach Mon Yin dance to other regions and states for the Nay Pyi Taw Singing, Dance, Composing, and Performing race to be held next October, the dance coaching course was held for ten days from June 5 to 16 under the leadership of the Mon Archaeological Culture Group, said Mi Ma Rot Swan (B) Mi Mya Than, who will be the director of the Mon Traditional Dance Competition.

"Since all the ethnic groups have to compete with one Mon dance at the national level competition, we chose the Shwe Yinthar Pyaw San Yar song because we discussed what the Mons could do to compete. When other ethnic groups could not dance, we held a 10-day refresher course for dance instructors to teach them to dance. We will divide the 28 dance instructors into divisions and states,” she said.

Dance instructors have been sent to Yangon, Sagaing and Ayeyarwady Region, and the rest will be sent to other divisions and states.

Khin Maung Oo, the current Minister for Ethnic Affairs in Mon State, said, “There are 14 divisions and states that will compete in the 23rd Myanmar Traditional Singing, Dance, Composing, and Performing race. All 14 groups will compete in the Mon traditional Dance. For this, we have trained Mon youths to teach Mon traditional dance.”

However, the Mon cultural group will not participate in the competition but will perform a front dance.

In the 22nd Singing, Dance, Composing, and Performing race held in 2016, Rakhine dance and Karen traditional dances were included.