(On the 9th May of 2015, my father, me and my twin brother, and my mother celebrated the 100th Anniversary of my grandparents.)
On the 9th May of 2015, marked the hundredth anniversary of my grandparents – U Khin Maung Latt and (Daw) Khin Myo Chit, the family held their 100th anniversary in the Pyay Yeik Thar house, Pyay Road in Rangoon, Burma.
At the front gate of the Pyay Yeik Thar house, the portrait of my grandparents seemed welcome to all the guests.)
Preparation
Before the special day, we had prepared many things including photos displays. My twin brother, Maung Yit, cartoonist and writer had a plan to display photos of the contemporary writers, poets, cartoonist, and artists of our grandparents’ days in the garden. He collected photos of (approximately) 80 people (writers, journalists, poets, and artists, etc) as much as he could find. Ten boards were borrowed from his friend who was a publisher of Doo Wun publication house. Before that day, he and his friends hung all the photos on each board.
(This board belongs to my grandparents (middle), Bogyoke Aung San and his wife (left), and Ludu Daw Ah Mar and her husband Ludu U Hla (right), and Bo Aung Kyaw (below left).)
We invited our relatives, and friends especially those who were interested in our grandparents’ centurion, and some media who came and took records. We were happy to welcome all. On that day, we gave my book ‘A Memory of My grandparents’ to all the guests as present.
(The family of mine.)
All the visitors were surprised to see the photos of contemporary writers, poets, cartoonists, politicians, and artists shown in one place. They enjoyed walking and wondering around. I felt those old memories/photos of men and women writers came alive and blooming in this wonderland.
Firstly he chose the photos of our grandparents, with the other three people who also reached their 100 in 2015; namely as Bogyoke Aung San (our national hero), Ludu Daw Ah Mar (writer), and Bo Aung Kyaw (student leader, although his 100th anniversary would be on February of 2016, put his photo among the group.).
((The guests.)
All the visitors were surprised to see the photos of contemporary writers, poets, cartoonists, politicians, and artists shown in one place. They enjoyed walking and wondering around. I felt those old memories/photos of men and women writers came alive and blooming in this wonderland.
All the guests enjoyed wondering around the photoland.)
Among the guests; sons and daughters or relatives of the people whose photos were hung on the board, pleased to see with many remembrances. Also General Tin Oo arrived in time, and gave a speech to the audience. He related some old memories of wartime Burma. He still remembered how he met my grandma, Khin Myo Chit while he was serving as a soldier in the army.
Among the guests; sons and daughters or relatives of the people whose photos were hung on the board, pleased to see with many remembrances. Also General Tin Oo arrived in time, and gave a speech to the audience. He related some old memories of wartime Burma. He still remembered how he met my grandma, Khin Myo Chit while he was serving as a soldier in the army.
(Welcome General Tin Oo.)
(General Tin Oo arrived in time. While I showed photos, he looked at the photo of my granduncle who was called communist, went underground after the Japs regime, and returned home in 1991.)
(My brother with Dr. Khin Let Yar – Bo Let Yar (one of 30 comrades)’s daughter.)
U Moe Thu who was a writer, and director gave a speech that he was happy to attend this 100th anniversary of our grandparents. He felt so happy to be here, and meeting with old and young people.
(U Moe Thu said he was so happy meeting old and young people here.)
My father also related to the audience about his mother, Khin Myo Chit. He said when she worked near Bogyoke Aung San, he still remembered with unforgettable memories as ‘In the Japs regime, the word ‘What a chance!’ spoken by Bogyoke Aung San made my mother’s heart chilled. She was alarmed whenever Bogyoke Aung San said to her as “Hey! Ma Khin Mya (my grandma’s name). What a chance! Take this letter and send to ‘…’.” Grandma obeyed what Bogyoke Aung San asked. She said to her family that such a three words ‘What a chance!’ frightened her so much. You see, in the wartime, if Japanese found this letter in her hand, she would be sent to jail, and tortured.’
(My father said, such a three words 'What a chance!' thrilled his mother's heart in wartime.)
(My mother encouraged young people to read English books.)
My mother talked about this 100th anniversary with remembrance. She encouraged some young writers to read English books as my grandma said.
(He said Bogyoke Aung San was not a Superman. He and his faithful friends and comrades altogether fought for Independence.)
My mother talked about this 100th anniversary with remembrance. She encouraged some young writers to read English books as my grandma said.
My twin brother said that this 100th anniversary held not only for our grandparents, but also for other contemporary writers, journalists, politicians, etc whose photos were shown here, from them, some already reached 100, and some had not reached 100 yet. He wanted to show these old photos to the guests and let it imagine that they altogether fought for Independence in wartime. He added that Bogyoke Aung San was not a Superman. With those people, and they altogether fought what their duty goes, and gained the Independence.
(He said Bogyoke Aung San was not a Superman. He and his faithful friends and comrades altogether fought for Independence.)
(‘I prefer writing in English because I feel free…..)
We welcomed to all whom we could see – (I mean our guests), and to whom we could not see – (I mean the people in the photos including my grandparents) – hope they all come and meet here, and share our happiness in this place where their old memories are still warm and alive– in this Pyay Yeik Thar house.
When my turn came, I said I preferred writing in English because I felt free since I have been starting writing in English at my blog during 2011 and 2012. I thanked to all who came and attended my grandparents’ 100th Anniversary for their care and love. I felt my grandparents see us from heaven, and share our loving deed.
We welcomed to all whom we could see – (I mean our guests), and to whom we could not see – (I mean the people in the photos including my grandparents) – hope they all come and meet here, and share our happiness in this place where their old memories are still warm and alive– in this Pyay Yeik Thar house.
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