Taunggyi Tanzaungdaing Festival Returns
By Network Media Group
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
The State Administration Council (SAC) has revived the Tanzaungdaing Festival (festival of lights or hot air balloons) in Taunggyi, which was suspended for three years due to the pandemic and coup.
Before the military took over, the Taunggyi Tanzaungdaing festival was well-renowned and attended in Burma. Historically, the Shan State government awarded cash prizes to winners of the hot air balloon competition. However, this year, it will cover all the expenses for the festival, including the costs related to the balloons and has allocated a fund of 1 billion kyat (about $477,000).
“This year’s festival will be different from previous years. Local people won’t be managing the Taunggyi festival, SAC will manage it,” said a hot air balloon maker. He explained that the regime will provide about 8 to 10 million kyat for a large balloon and about 4 million kyat for a Sein Ner Pan balloon. SAC has specified the number of balloons this year, which he suspected was related to astrological advice. A total of 63 balloons are set to fly this year from November 21-27.
SAC has only allotted 1.8 million kyat for each ward in Taunggyi town, which isn’t even enough to make one small balloon, forcing these communities to make up for the shortfall.
A Taunggyi woman plans to boycott this year’s festival under the regime. “As a mother, I want my children to see hot air balloons flying in the sky during the day, but I don’t want to participate in SAC’s festival. I will tell my kids, and hopefully, they will understand it. I will allow them to see the event on TV and Facebook Live.”
The government has prepared the grounds in Kyaung Gyisu Ward on Kyauk Talon Road. According to locals, it has already demolished the old stage and has built a new stage at the new site.
Individuals affiliated with the Burma army indicated that the government will present special yellow robes called Matho Thingan to Buddhist monks and provide them food offerings. Additionally, the government intends to arrange other events in conjunction with the Tazaungdaing Full Moon Day.
Despite SAC’s extensive budget allocation for the festival, local people are apprehensive about participating in it after a bomb with a timer was found at the site planned for the festival in the third week of October.
