In spite of the political and military instability inRakhine State, the Ngapali Beach Autumn Festival annual ceremony was held onNovember 21 to benefit the interests of the locals and to attract tourists.

At 6:00 AM on November 21, the event started with a bicycleparade from Ma Zin neighbourhoodof Ngapali to Thandwe township and a follow-up opening ceremony was held at theNgapali Paradise Hotel.

At the opening ceremony, to show the importance of Rakhineculture, Rakhine traditional drums were played, and Rakhine dances wereperformed. The event included sand sculpture displays, bicycle parades, dancesand other entertainment programs, as well as greasy pole climbing, tug of warand volleyball competitions, organizers said.

“The essence of Rakhine culture was revealed in the openingceremony. Rakhine traditional drums were played, and Rakhine dances wereperformed. Young people wanted to organize stage shows by Rakhine singers, butthe State government did not allow it for security reasons.

More than 3000 people participated in the Ngapali BeachAutumn Festival opening ceremony,” said U Tun Thant Kyaw, an elder of Ngapali.

 Compared to previous years, this year’s opening ceremony wasa bit more crowded.  Access to the hotel where the ceremony was held waslimited due to security reasons, but everyone could come and enjoy the openingceremony programs on the beach area, he said.

Aiming to promote the interests of local people and attractmore local and foreign tourists, this festival is held to welcome the NgapaliBeach Autumn tourism season, he added.

“ Today’s opening of the Autumn Festival means a declaration that Ngapali Beachis open and the main objective of the festival is to attract tourists. Whenthere are more visitors, the interests of the locals will also develop. Forexample, there will be more income opportunities for three-wheel motor taxidrivers, taxi drivers, restaurants, and souvenir shops”, he explained.

Last year, the Ngapali Beach Autumn Festival was held forfive days, but this year it will be held for a single day on November 21.