Happy New Year To Our Readers
Dear Readers,
 No, we are not wishing you a belated happy New Year of the Goat that started on
February 1st. Our New Year falls on April 17th, bringing in 1365 according to
our lunar calendar, and although we cannot splash you with water as we should,
nevertheless we wish you all the joyfulness of the celebrations with our article
on Thingyan, the period preceding the New Year. The water symbolise a cleansing
of bad fortunes of the old year so that we face the new with purity in our
hearts.
The Editorial Board of Enchanting Myanmar also take this opportunity to express
its sincere thanks and wishes for the New Year to H.E Brig.Gen. Thein Zaw,
Minister for Hotels & Tourism who graciously consented to write a message of
felicitations in this issue of the magazine.
In this issue, we invite you for a glimpse of our nationalities, the Kayin,
whose weaving traditions were often overlooked. As the cover story we present a
selection of their costumes, simple in cut but intricate in workmanship.
 The Thanboddhay Pagoda of Monywa is one of the most delightful places in Myanmar
and you will know why when you see the photos taken by our Art Director Sonny
Nyein.
In the same region as the Thanboddhay Pagoda is the Alaung Daw Kathappa National
Park, and Hpone Thant tells us of an almost close encounter with a tiger.
Many know about the glory of Bagan, its greatness of temples and pagodas and the
fact of its era being the First Myanmar Empire. Between its end and the
beginning of the Second Myanmar Empire, there were brief periods in history with
no less fascinating stories. We take you to see some of the relics of the Pinya
period, which followed the decline of Bagan in the 13th century.
Lastly, we bring you a short story from Kan Chun, a writer and painter who lives
in Mandalay.
Enjoy; and may you have good fortune for 1365 M.E.
The Editorial Board |
