The opening ceremony was held at the Hall of Myanmar International Convention Centre in Naypyitaw, followed by a speech by Vice President Nyan Tun, who said the performing competition involves people living in every corner of the country.

All the performing arts of Burma’s races are based on the movements of head, waist, leg, and hand, he said.

“There may be differences in the size, the number, the scale, and the beat in musical instruments, but they are all never deviate from five basic musical instruments of Myanmar’s national races—brass instruments, string instruments, leather instruments, wind instruments, and bamboo clappers,” he said.

Efforts are being made to ensure youth who live amid technological advancement and material wealth retain the country’s customs and style and national traditional cultural values, he said.

On the other hand, he noted that modern music was added as a new category at the 17th competition.

“This new category means moving with the times, and recognizing the sentiment and efforts of the youth,” he said. “It is the very youth who have to take over the helm of State’s affairs sometime in the future.”