YANGON, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's vibrant Thingyan water festival kicked off on Saturday, with celebrations taking place across the country.
Traditional dance troupes in colorful dresses performed at the opening ceremonies of the festival.
In Yangon, the water festival was officially launched at the mayor's pavilion in front of the Yangon City Hall. Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein extended his best wishes to the people.
This year's water festival will continue until April 16, and the Myanmar New Year falls on April 17.
Alongside the main celebrations, various special events are featured, including walking Thingyan festivals in some towns and a floating water festival at Inle Lake in Shan state.
The Thingyan water festival holds immense cultural significance in Myanmar, standing as the most famous celebration among the 12 monthly seasonal festivals observed throughout the year.
Similar to Songkran in Thailand and Chaul Chnam Thmey in Cambodia, it is a time to welcome the traditional New Year, when people joyfully splash water on one another to wash sins and purify moral impurities from the old year. ■
