YANGON, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar official media Thursday called on artists in the country to take part in traditional cultural arts competitions with full respect for their national culture and spirit so that Myanmar's traditional fine art will thrive for ever.
Without a fixed date, the 17th Myanmar traditional cultural performing arts competitions are due to be launched soon in the new capital of Nay Pyi Taw with contestants across the country taking part in and candidates are being shortlisted.
"Myanmar traditional cultural performing arts competitions not only enable Myanmar's traditional fine arts to thrive but also expose Myanmar national attributes deeply buried in Myanmar traditional fine arts," the New Light of Myanmar said in its editorial.
The editorial said that Myanmar's ancestors have tried to preserve and safeguard the national culture throughout the long history.
"Thanks to their efforts, we now possess a huge edifice of national culture as heritage," it said.
The leading organizing committee also noted "the competitions are designed to promote the role of the traditional culture. Only then, will today's youths keep themselves on the track of Myanmar traditional culture."
"The development of science and technology has adverse effect on the traditional culture in the world. If cultures of foreign countries penetrate Myanmar's culture, the characteristics of the people will be eroded and nationalistic fervor will be tarnished by the influence of other countries," the committee warned.
There has been increasing interest and encouragement to the traditional culture and arts by the ethnic minorities, witnessed by the increasing number of the contestants year by year, the committee added.
Myanmar has held the traditional cultural performing arts competitions annually since 1993. Last year's event included modern music contest.
The competitions were yearly participated by thousands of youth contestants, including contests of song, dance, composition, musicand play at different stages such as professional, amateur, higher education and basic education levels.
