THE Ministry of Information held
separate coordination meetings on publishing a 100 classic books series,
reprinting the Myanmar Encyclopedia, and the National Literary Award and the
Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award at the Printing and Publishing Department on
Theinphyu Road in Yangon yesterday.
The meetings were attended by Union
Minister for Information Dr. Pe Myint.
The first meeting dealt with
publishing the 100 classic books series. The Union Minister delivered the
opening speech at the meeting. Then, the Director General of the Publishing
Department spoke about the publishing and sales of volumes 1, 2, and 3. He also
detailed how the next three volumes — 4, 5, and 6 — would be published and
would be of a good quality.
Afterwards, U Than Own (Maung
Zeyar), a member of the 100 classic books publishing steering committee,
detailed the proof-reading and editing of Volumes 4, 5, and 6.
Then, the attendees discussed
matters related to the future volumes, and the Union Minister made additional
suggestions and remarks.
It has been reported that the 100
Myanmar classics series will include a selection of novels, short stories,
poetry, plays, essays, and belles-lettres to help the younger generation
develop a passion for Myanmar literature and culture. As part of the project,
25 volumes of novels, 4 volumes of short stories, 3 volumes of poetry, 2
volumes of plays, 1 volume of essays, and 3 volumes of belles-lettres will be
published.
The sales of Volumes 1, 2, and 3
have been steady since they were advertised and distributed on 3 December,
2018. Encouraged by this, the authorities are planning to publish three more
volumes — Tapin Shwe Htee by U Mg Gyee (Volume 4), Nar Khan Taw by U Soe Myint
and Collage Kyawn Thar by Zawana (Volume 5), and Doe May May by Mahar Swe and
Pan the Ma Saoo by Thakhin Ba Thaung (Volume 6). While Volumes 4 and 5 are set
to be published by the end of June, 2019, Volume 6 will come out in 2020. After
the meeting on the classics series, another meeting on reprinting the Myanmar
Encyclopedia was held.
At the meeting, the Deputy
General-Director of the Publishing Department explained about the current state
of the encyclopedia and how work was progressing. Secretary 1 of the editorial
team, U Myint Soe, put forward changes, related suggestions by external
experts, and the completion of changes. The Union Minister made additional
suggestions.
The Ministry of Information, Sarpay
Beikman of the Printing and Publishing Department, and the Tun foundation are
collaborating on the project for republishing the Myanmar Encyclopedia.
Participants at the meeting discussed the completion of proof-reading by experts
and some errors that need to be corrected in Volume 1 of the Myanmar
Encyclopedia.
Afterwards, a work coordination
meeting between the chairman, deputy chairman, secretary, and members of the
National Literary Award-2018 selection committee and Sarpay Beikman Manuscript
Award selection team was held.
At the meeting, the Vice President
of the National Literary Award selection committee, Dr. Khin Aye, suggested
working in unity and abiding by the rules.
Afterwards, the Director-General of
the Printing and Publishing Department, U Aung Myo Myint, discussed the process
of selection for the 2018 National Literary Award and the Sarpay Beikman
Manuscript Award. Then, the Secretary of the National Literary Award selection
committee, U Than Own (Maung Zeyar), and the Vice President of the Sarpay
Beikman Manuscript Award selection team, Daw Kin Phone Yee (Natmouk Anecho),
explained the rules and regulations, and spoke about how the teams had been
organized according to categories. Thereafter, the Union Minister made
suggestions about the proposals of the attending experts. The Ministry of
Information, the Printing and Publishing Department, and the Sarpay Beikman
have been responsible for the National Literary Award since 1948. The
recipients are selected by the National Literary Award selection committee and
the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript selection team.
The selection committee for the
2018 edition of the National Literary Award comprises 54 people, under the
leadership of president Dr. Thaw Kaung, vice president 1 Dr. Khin Aye (Maung
Khin Min -Da Nu Phyu), and vice president 2 U Khin Mg Soe (Maung Paw Tun). The
committee has been divided into 15 teams, according to the categories of books.
The categories include novels,
short stories, poetry, plays, Myanmar culture and art, children’s literature,
youth literature , general knowledge (arts), general knowledge (science and
applied science), political literature, belles-lettres, English, essays, and
reference books.
Meanwhile, the Sarpay Beikman
Manuscript Award selection team comprises 27 members, under the leadership of
the president U Own Myint (Mg Yint Mar-Kyaung Gone) and vice president Daw Khin
Phone Yee ( Natmauk Ane Cho). The team has been divided into 13 groups to judge
different categories of books. The categories include novels, short stories,
poetry, general knowledge (arts), general knowledge (science and applied
Science), belles-lettres, Myanmar culture and arts, children’s literature,
youth literature, political literature, plays, English scripts, and translation
scripts.
MNA
(Translated by Alphonsus)
PHOTO: MNA
Ref; The Global New Light of
Myanmar
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